ARM Technology Powers Freescale MAC7100 32-Bit MCU Family For Automotive Applications

- ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], received further endorsement today when Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) announced today at Convergence, the availability of its ARM Powered® MAC7100 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) family. Freescale is addressing the next-generation requirements of automotive designs in body, chassis and safety by basing the MAC7100 family on the ARM7TDMI® processor due to its small size, high performance and extensive support.

To reduce costs, automotive designers are converging functionality of distinct modules, whilst at the same time formalizing software methods to improve reliability. The result is a requirement for a power efficient, well supported, software engine.

Combining the efficiencies of the ARM7TDMI processor and flexibility of Freescale's standard platform architecture, the 32-bit MAC7100 MCU family is designed to meet the cost and complexity needs of a wide range of automotive applications, including climate control systems, airbags and EPAS (electric power assisted steering).

"We welcome the fact that one of the leading suppliers to the automotive industry is utilizing, the ARM® architecture. ARM has been working with the Freescale automotive team for more than two years and we are now able to disclose our relationship and the results of our developments," said Mike Inglis, EVP, Marketing, ARM    "With car electronics systems becoming more sophisticated, silicon geometries shrinking and supply strategies becoming more complex, the Freescale and ARM solution offers the right combination to meet the demands of suppliers to the car industry."

"This is the first Freescale family of microcontrollers for automotive, based on ARM processors. ARM's MCU experience coupled with the comprehensive range of off-the-shelf industry standard tools helps reduce design cycles as well as allow for highly-differentiated solutions for specific applications," said Alex Pepe, general manager for Freescale Semiconductor's 32-bit Embedded Controller Division. "With this new family, we have deepened and broadened our roadmap across the performance spectrum to better meet the needs of those automotive applications outside of Powertrain."

About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, peripherals, software and tools, combined with the company's broad Partner community, provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

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