Mobile, portable and other embedded device developers can shorten development cycles for multimedia applications by utilising the i.MX Product Development Kit (PDK) from Freescale Semiconductor. This three-stack hardware system includes a board support package (BSP) and a robust, product-ready software that enable engineers to quickly create multimedia devices for consumer, automotive, industrial and general embedded markets. The PDK is initially available for the i.MX31 multimedia applications processor.
The PDK's integrated modular design is engineered to enable a more efficient development process. The PDK simplifies development with three separate, reusable modules that work together for streamlined software creation. The i.MX31 PDK features: a CPU module - a single board computer containing the i.MX31 processor based on the ARM-1136 core, memories, and Freescale's MC14783 power management IC; a Personality module - a peripherals board that manages new end-product functionality such as touchscreen capabilities, accelerometers and wireless connectivity technologies such as Bluetooth and WiFi; and a Debug module - a common interface board for all existing and future PDKs, the module contains the functions necessary for software and applications development, including serial, Ethernet, and JTAG interface.
The i.MX31 PDK includes an optimised Windows Embedded CE or Linux BSP, multimedia framework, demo applications, and wireless connectivity protocol stacks. It also incorporates many of Freescale's technologies including the MMA7455L 3-axis digital accelerometer, which provides motion detection that recognises natural human movement. Some examples in small portable electronics include gesture recognition, tilt to scroll in all directions, or silencing a phone by tapping it. Freescale's MC13783 power management IC is also utilised in the PDK, allowing multimedia products to offer robust features with low power consumption. The MC13783 offers different power saving modes, giving the system developer the ability to make trade-offs between power consumption in stand-by and recovery times.
Freescale's high-performance multimedia codecs enable a series of audio, video and image applications using i.MX multimedia applications processors. The multimedia codecs are provided as fully-functional, product-ready software packages. An ecosystem supporting i.MX multimedia applications processors includes tool chain providers, system integrators, middleware and multimedia partners, board vendors and key operating systems partners.
The Freescale i.MX31 multimedia applications processor is designed for a range of applications such as portable media players, portable navigation devices, automotive entertainment systems, portable handheld computers and a range of industrial, healthcare and general purpose applications. Based on ARM core technology, the i.MX31 family is engineered with Freescale's Smart Speed technology to deliver high performance while reducing power consumption. The entire i.MX Family supports a range of platforms such as those based on the Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems, as well as a number of real time operating systems. All i.MX processor package options are RoHS compliant.
The i.MX31 PDK is available now. It includes the 3-stack hardware solution, tested and verified BSPs for the Windows Embedded CE 5.0, Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and Linux 2.6.24 operating systems, enhanced software such as multimedia frameworks and wireless connectivity stacks, demonstrations of optimised codecs, and technical support directly from Freescale and Freescale's authorised distributors.
