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PowerQUICC(TM) Processors Integrate IEEE 1588(R) Time Synchronization Protocol
Freescale Communications Processors Now Include Hardware to Increase
Time Synch Precision, Supported by Protocol Software From IXXAT
AUSTIN, Texas—(BUSINESS WIRE)—July 17, 2006—
Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) has teamed with
IXXAT, a leading supplier of industrial and automotive communications
solutions, to offer comprehensive IEEE 1588(R) time-synchronization
protocol solutions for PowerQUICC(TM) communications processors built
on Power Architecture(TM) technology. To showcase this collaboration,
IXXAT is demonstrating the IEEE 1588 protocol running on the MPC8349E
PowerQUICC II Pro processor at the Freescale Technology Forum, July
24-27 in Orlando, Fla.
Target applications for the IEEE 1588 protocol include
time-sensitive telecommunication services, which require precision
time synchronization between communicating nodes. IEEE 1588 is used in
industrial network switches, which synchronize sensors and actuators
over a single wire distributed control network to control an automated
assembly process. The protocol also is used in powerline networks,
which synchronize across large-scale distributed power grid switches
to enable smooth transfer of power. Test/measurement devices, which
must maintain accurate time synchronization with devices under test in
many different operating environments, are also a prime application
for the IEEE 1588 protocol.
"Freescale and IXXAT have worked together for several years to
support industrial protocols on ColdFire(R) microcontrollers, local
interconnect network (LIN) physical layer devices, FlexRay(TM)
communication controllers and other processors built on Power
Architecture technology," said Glenn Beck, industrial segment manager
for Freescale's Digital Systems Division. "This collaboration around
PowerQUICC processors leverages our strong relationship with IXXAT to
serve industrial customers who need higher performance to support the
'Ethernet everywhere' trend. It also benefits telecom and networking
customers who are rapidly adopting IEEE 1588 time synchronization, as
well as the flood of other applications migrating from 8-bit
controllers to highly integrated 32-bit controllers."
"By working together, IXXAT and Freescale are addressing a common
complaint among industrial automation users -- that an Ethernet
interface is too expensive to be used on a lower resolution device,
such as a pressure transducer," said Bill Seitz, president of IXXAT
North America. "IXXAT and Freescale plan to change this viewpoint by
offering a pre-configured, commercial off-the-shelf solution for a
range of PowerQUICC processors. This is an important benefit
considering that even the lowest cost sensors can implement a
lower-speed millisecond-level PowerQUICC processor while still
operating in a high-performance, nanosecond-level synchronized
network."
IXXAT's IEEE 1588 protocol support for PowerQUICC II Pro
processors represents the first in a series of IXXAT protocol
offerings planned for the PowerQUICC family. The protocol is planned
to be available for Freescale processors with QUICC Engine(TM)
technology, such as the MPC8360E PowerQUICC II Pro family.
Freescale's QUICC Engine technology and enhanced triple-speed
Ethernet controller (eTSEC) are the first PowerQUICC communications
interfaces to optimize IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) in
hardware. These new interfaces time-stamp Ethernet packets at the
physical/datalink layer the instant they enter or leave the device.
This results in the highest possible timing accuracy for PowerQUICC
devices that implement the increasingly popular IEEE 1588 protocol.
QUICC Engine technology and eTSEC are included in a wide range of
PowerQUICC devices designed to meet low-to-high performance, power and
price targets for applications that connect devices through Ethernet.
Development tools, services and software
Customers may evaluate the IEEE 1588 solution by ordering the
Freescale evaluation board, board support package and CodeWarrior(R)
development tools (free 30-day evaluation software package) from
Freescale at www.freescale.com/powerquicc. IEEE 1588 PTP protocol
software is available from IXXAT at
http://www.ixxat.com/ieee_1588_stack_en,18393,5873.html.
For production use, the IXXAT IEEE 1588 protocol stack can be
licensed as full software source code to a product or product line.
Source code enables the user to customize the stack modules and
interfaces and to meet application-specific requirements. In addition,
IXXAT offers hardware and software development services for customers
who want to customize IEEE 1588 onto their Power Architecture
processor-based platform or to implement an entire solution or product
using this and other industrial protocols.
IXXAT industrial protocols solutions are widely used in a variety
of systems from industrial automation leaders such as B&R Automation,
WAGO, Lenze and Schneider Electric. For more information about the
IXXAT IEEE 1588 protocol software, contact Bill Seitz at IXXAT, Inc.
at 603-471-0800, ext. 102 or email him at seitz@ixxat.com.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor Inc. (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) is a global
leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for
the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets.
Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004. The company
is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development,
manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries.
Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest
semiconductor companies with 2005 sales of $5.8 billion (USD).
www.freescale.com
Reader Inquiry Response:
Freescale Semiconductor
P.O. Box 17927
Denver, CO 80217 USA
Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale
Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the
property of their respective owners. Power Architecture(TM) is a
trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation in the
United States, other countries, or both. (C) Freescale Semiconductor,
Inc. 2006.
Contact:
Freescale Semiconductor
North America:
Dale Weisman, 512-996-5142 or 512-560-6197 (Mobile)
Email Contact
or
Europe, Middle East, Africa:
Regina Cirmonova, (41-22) 799-1258
Email Contact
or
Asia Pacific:
Gloria Shiu, (85-22) 666-8237
Email Contact
or
Japan:
Shinichi Sunohara, (81-3) 5437-9129
Email Contact
or
Latin America:
Ruth Ruiz, 480-814-4897
Email Contact
or
Representing Freescale Semiconductor
Kathy Truesdell, 512-996-5117 or 512-633-8620 (Mobile)
Email Contact
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