[Updated 11:15 A.M., PDT] — Freescale will unveil the first ColdFire processors ever to include a memory management unit (MMU), and therefore able to run full-scale Linux, this week at the Embedded Processor Forum in San Jose, Calif. Simultaneously, Freescale tools subsidiary Metrowerks announced that it plans to offer Linux development tools for the core, and will continue to offer — and enhance… — its uClinux tools for MMU-less ColdFire cores.

First “MMU-ful” ColdFire core

Freescale's ColdFire line comprises 8-, 16-, and 32-bit processors. Significantly, the MCF547x and MCF548x ColdFire chips announced today are the first in the ColdFire architecture to be based on Freescale's new V4e core, which includes an on-chip MMU. The new ColdFire processors are capable of delivering up to 410 MIPS (million instructions per second) at 266 MHz, according to Freescale.

Other key features of the new MCF547x and MCF548x ColdFire processors include on-chip FPU and eMAC (enhanced Multiply-Accumulate Unit), USB 2.0 with integrated PHY, and hardware accelerated encryption to support SSI, SSH, or IPSec. Additionally, the MCF548x meets industrial temperature requirements and is one of the first embedded processors to include dual-CAN (controller area network) along with dual-Ethernet, according to Freescale.

The V4e's MMU will, for the first time, enable the venerable ColdFire processor family to support sophisticated operating systems with protected memory — such as Linux.

MMU-full ColdFire chips will extend the architecture's range of target applications, and give it renewed life in its historic target market — industrial control and automation — where developers are starting to expect more sophisticated capabilitiles. Additionally, Metrowerks appears well-positioned to support developers as Linux becomes more pervasive within the industrial and network-connected controls markets.

Like the “Platform Edition” CodeWarrior 5.0 tools announced last month, Metrowerks's Linux development tools for the new MMU-enhanced ColdFire core will encompass hardware analysis and debugging, board bring-up, hardware-assisted kernel and application debugging, built-in software profiler for hot spot analysis, application development, hardware diagnostics and memory tests, and more, a Metrowerks spokesperson said. They will also include an instruction set simulator (ISS) that will enable developers to begin developing system and application software ahead of receiving actual hardware prototypes.

A Metrowerks official said the company is not yet ready to announce dates around Linux tools support for ColdFire processors based on V4e cores. However, it already supports several of the new V4e-based ColdFire processors with development tool suites for proprietary RTOSes that include Enea OSE, ARC MQX, and Micro Digital µd, as well as RTOSes from Quadros Systems, Blunk Microsystems, and Kadak Products.

MMU-less ColdFire cores still a priority

Metrowerks has long supported MMU-less ColdFire chips with development tools for uClinux, a version of Linux that implements memory management in software in order to support low-end processors such as 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs). uClinux was merged into the mainstream Linux kernel as of version 2.6. Metrowerks will continue to support MMU-less ColdFire chips, a company spokesperson said, and has even extended its uClinux ColdFire tools with new capabilities.

For the first time, Metrowerks will offer an instruction set simulator for the V2 core, which underpins ColdFire processors that include the 5206e, 5214, 5216, 5249, 5250, 5272, 5280, 5281, and 5282. And, it has announced Platform Edition support for two ColdFire processors, the 5272 C3 and 5282 EVB.

Availability and pricing

Pricing for Freescale's new MMU-enabled ColdFire processors ranges from $20 to $27 for the MCF548x chips, and $17 to $23 for the MCF547x chips (in quantities of 10,000+).

Version 5 of the Metrowerks CodeWarrior Development Studio for ColdFire Architectures is priced at $5,994, including one year of support. CodeWarrior Development Studio for ColdFire ISA, Linux Platform Edition is priced at $5,395. Evaluation CDs of Version 5 of CodeWarrior Development Studio for ColdFire Architectures are available immediately to support the latest silicon from Freescale Semiconductor.

Metrowerks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Freescale, which, in turn, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Motorola that Motorola is currently in the process of spinning out. A spokesperson said that Metrowerks's relationship with parent company Freescale has only become closer during the spin-off process. At the same time, Metrowerks's status as an independent Freescale subsidiary will enable it to continue to support multiple silicon vendors, including Freescale competitors, the spokesperson said.

 
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