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Feb. 03, 2005

Freescale has sampled a new, highly integrated mobile phone component to former parent and number-two worldwide handset maker, Motorola. The postage-stamp-sized multi-chip-module is based on Freescale's Mobile Extreme Convergence (MXC) architecture, initially announced by Motorola in October, 2003. MXC is capable of endowing MP3 players, handheld DVD players, and digital cameras with smartphone functionality, according to Freescale.

The MXC275-30 "integrated Single Core Modem GSM Edge solution" contains a single-core modem, dedicated applications processor, memory, RF circuitry, power amplifier, and power management functions, according to Freescale.

The processor implements shared memory and advanced caching technologies that yield up to 70 percent higher performance and 50 percent lower power consumption than current dual-processor implementations, Freescale says.

It also includes built-in security functions capable of preventing user identity theft, provide SIM-locks, program, and data integrity, and also includes support for digital rights management.

From an application software perspective, Freescale says that its MXC architecture will support a wide range of popular operating systems including Symbian, Microsoft, PalmOS, Linux. Freescale's predecessor Motorola Semiconductor, which initially announced MXC, had also stated that a communications stack supporting GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and 3G (W-CDMA) would be available for license.

MXC275-30 features

Freescale lists the following key features and specifications for the MXC275-30 module:

Processor:
- 532MHz ARM ARM1136JF-S applications processor
- 208 MHz StarCore SC140e DSP
Modem:
- Simultaneous voice and data
- Covers 850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands
Graphics -- Advanced multimedia and graphics support, including CIF 30fps MPEG4/H.264 video s image capture
Enhanced security architecture
Advanced Power Reduction architecture
Transceiver with direct conversion RF receiver and polar modulated direct digital conversion transmitter, including an analog front end solution and PA module
Advanced power management includes stereo DAC and Touch panel interface.
Open operating system, PSAPI (platform services API), single core modem software

MXC hardware and software architectures

Motorola Semiconductor previously published the following MXC hardware and software architecture diagrams:

MXC hardware architecture

MXC software architecture
(click image to enlarge)
MXC whitepaper

A 24-page MXC whitepaper, originally authored by Motorola Semiconductor, is available here (PDF download). It contains considerable useful information about the emerging "smartphone" and "feature phone" markets, required features, typical generation device architectures (and their technical drawbacks), technical challenges, and the new MXC approach.

Availability

Freescale says that the MXC275-30 platform is currently sampling with "alpha" customers, and will be available in production quantities by the end of 2005. MXC-enabled products are expected to ship by early 2006, the company says.

Freescale competitor Renasas has also revealed plans for a single-chip smartphone solution, to be developed in conjunction with NTT-DoCoMo and shipped in 2006.

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