Compliant Controllers Help Automotive Manufacturers Make Intelligent Automobiles a Reality
MUNICH, Germany--Dec. 1, 2005--Freescale Semiconductor is paving the way for the autonomous car by becoming the first company to offer both integrated and stand-alone FlexRay(TM) controllers -- the MC9S12XFR and MFR4300 -- based on the latest FlexRay version 2.1 protocol.As the leading supplier of microcontrollers to the automotive industry and a founding member of the FlexRay Consortium, Freescale is positioned to help car manufacturers network in-car systems to make smarter, integrated active safety systems a reality.
The MC9S12XFR is Freescale's first microcontroller to integrate a FlexRay module with the 16-bit S12X core. By introducing the 9S12XFR & MFR4300 FlexRay node controller, Freescale has taken a significant step forward in providing the key semiconductor components for next generation X-by-wire subsystems.
"The automotive market is showing intense interest in FlexRay and is keen to see new technology developments supporting this protocol," said Chris Webber, vice president of the Automotive Practice at Strategy Analytics. "At this stage of the market development for the FlexRay protocol it is important that designers have the flexibility offered by components such as the ones announced by Freescale. As automobile makers continue to innovate in advanced safety, comfort, performance and infotainment features, FlexRay will help to make these concepts a reality."
The FlexRay protocol provides higher data rates and fault tolerance required for advanced control systems combining multiple sensors, actuators and electronic control units. Core member companies of the FlexRay Consortium include BMW, Bosch, DaimlerChrysler, Freescale, General Motors, Philips and Volkswagen. Other leading Japan-based manufacturers such as Honda, Nissan and Toyota have joined the consortium as premium associate members, adding momentum to the growing acceptance of the FlexRay protocol.
"FlexRay is rapidly becoming the de facto standard for high-speed in-vehicle networking," said Juergen Weyer, vice president and general manager of Freescale's transportation business in Europe. "As a founding member of the FlexRay Consortium, Freescale has made it a priority to proliferate this network protocol. The combined availability of integrated and stand alone products gives Freescale the opportunity to offer customers a choice with FlexRay devices, which was previously unattainable within the industry."
The 9S12XFR and MFR4300 devices are ideal for chassis control, body electronics and powertrain applications where increased functionality and on-board diagnostics are required. The FlexRay devices complement major in-vehicle networking standards (CAN, LIN and MOST) by adding a high-speed protocol for the most demanding systems.
MC9S12XFR features
-- 16-bit HCS12X 40MHz enhanced CPU with XGATE co-processor
-- FlexRay v2.1 protocol module for high-speed serial
communication up to 10Mbit/sec on each of two channels
-- Dual channels for fault tolerance or independent operation for
2x bandwidth
-- 32 message buffers, each with a payload up to 254 bytes of
data
-- 128KB flash memory with optional error code correction (ECC)
-- 2KB electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
(EEPROM)
-- 16KB random access memory (RAM)
-- Loop control Pierce oscillator with 0.5MHz to 16MHz crystal or
full swing without internal feedback using 0.5MHz to 40MHz
crystal
-- Up to 16 channel analog-to-digital (ADC) with configurable 8-
and 10-bit resolution
-- 6-channel pulse width modulator with fault protection (PMF)
optimized for electrical motor control
-- Embedded scalable controller area network (MSCAN) supports CAN
2.0 A/B
-- Samples available in 80 quad flat package (QFP) as well as 64
and 112-pin low-profile quad flat package (LQFP)
MFR4300 features
-- FlexRay v2.1 protocol implementation with selectable single or
dual channel support
-- 128 message buffers, each with a payload up to 254 bytes of
data
-- Two configurable receive first-in first-out (FIFO) message
buffers
-- Controller host interface (CHI) clock up to 80MHz
-- Message filtering based on frame identification, cycle counter
and channel for transit and receive buffers
-- 64-pin LQFP
Availability
The MFR4300 and MC9S12XFR are available in sample quantities. For more information about this product and available services and support, visit www.freescale.com/flexray.
About the FlexRay Consortium
FlexRay founders Freescale, Philips, BMW and DaimlerChrysler have been working together since 2000 to help speed the adoption of FlexRay, a communications protocol designed to handle the growing number of digital elements that make up a 21st century automobile. Over the past two years, additional automotive companies, such as Bosch, General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, Audi and Siemens VDO, have joined these leaders in an effort to make FlexRay the de facto standard for advanced applications in the automotive industry. Today, more than 80 companies from the automotive, semiconductor and software industries support the FlexRay standard. FlexRay-enabled vehicles are expected to hit the market in 2006. For more information about the FlexRay Consortium, visit http://www.flexray.com.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 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 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. 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 2004 sales of $5.7 billion (US). www.freescale.com
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