Freescale launches processors based on QorIQ communications platform

Freescale Semiconductor has launched processors based on its QorIQ communications platform that also incorporate QUICC Engine multiprotocol technology.

The company claims that the QorIQ P1012/P1021 product family offers a high-performance, low-power migration path to all-IP environments for customers using legacy multiprotocol interfaces.

According to Freescale, the new QorIQ P1012 and P1021 processors deliver multiprotocol processing by integrating the QUICC Engine technology alongside one or two 800MHz cores based on power architecture technology. The combination of the QorIQ and QUICC Engine technologies enable the devices to provide both data- and control-plane processing, which eliminates the need for separate FPGAs or ASICs.

The company said that the new products are pin-compatible with existing QorIQ P1 and P2 products and software-compatible with several of its PowerQUICC II Pro and PowerQUICC III processors, including the MPC8323, MPC8358, MPC8360 and MPC8569 devices. The P1012 and P1021 processors can also be paired with Freescale’s VortiQa application software to create performance-optimised SMB gateway products.

Content from our partners

Unlocking growth through hybrid cloud: 5 key takeaways

How businesses can safeguard themselves on the cyber frontline

How hackers’ tactics are evolving in an increasingly complex landscape

The new processors support legacy interfaces and protocols such as T1/E1, xDSL, ATM, HDLC and 10/100/1000 ethernet for applications including multiservice routers, SMB gateways and IP-PBX equipment. The programmability of the QUICC Engine technology also enables industrial interfaces and protocols, the company said.

In addition, the new processors incorporate L2 cache memories and feature support for DDR3 memory, integrates SGMII, USB 2.0 and PCI Express interconnect technologies.

Brett Butler, vice president and general manager of networking processor division at Freescale, said: “Freescale’s newest QorIQ products provide a cost-effective solution for customers transitioning to all-IP environments, while still addressing legacy interface compatibility requirements. High performance, low cost and pin compatibility make the P1012 and P1021 compelling options for a variety of applications.