Freescale has unveiled a family of i.MX application processors that offers a new level of connectivity, touch control, security and cost-saving integration to a wide range of industrial and automotive infotainment applications. The i.MX25 family is based on the ARM9 core and integrates LCD (liquid crystal display) and touch screen controllers, DDR2 memory support, CAN (controller area network), 10/100 Ethernet and USB 2.0 with PHY connectivity. The processors feature enhanced security, A/D converters, memory interface controller that includes support for DDR2, CMOS sensor interface, and standard UART, I2C and SPI ports. This high level of on-chip integration minimises the need for additional discrete components, reduces board space and helps to save development and product cost.

This low power portfolio includes five products out of which three are optimised for industrial and general embedded designs and two are optimised for automotive applications. The i.MX253 and i.MX257 application processors provide flexible connectivity options for a wide range of industrial designs that often require LCD and touch screen support. The applications include residential smart meters, graphical keypads and security panels, HMI (human machine interface) designs, barcode scanners, factory automation, robotics and printers. The i.MX258 is designed for the industrial security market. It features an on-chip security engine. The processor is suitable for developing secure products for which the software code intended for the device will run only on that device. Specific tamper detection circuitry is engineered to quickly erase confidential information if a device threat is detected. The i.MX258 processor's security and connectivity capabilities provide a robust and cost-effective solution for POS (point-of-sale) systems. The i.MX251 and i.MX255 application processors are tailored for in-vehicle infotainment systems that require many features of a high-end infotainment system without the associated cost. The devices have achieved full AECQ-100 automotive qualification.
The application processors provide a versatile range of connectivity and feature-set options for developers of industrial and automotive applications. The on-chip integration helps to reduce system complexity and cost, and enables developers to create lower-tier products for cost-sensitive markets based on higher-end platforms. The on-chip integration of the processors allows designers to update an existing entry-level solution by adding more features. The processors offer high performance within a low-power envelope and are suitable for battery-backed applications. For plugged in 'always on' devices, the processors' low-power consumption can improve energy efficiency. The company offers robust development tools and software support for these application processors. The i.MX25 PDK (product development kit) is an integrated hardware and software solution that simplifies product development. The PDK allows developers to focus on the critical differentiation needed for market success. The PDK offers comprehensive board support for Linux and Windows Embedded CE operating systems.