Freescale i.MX 6 quad core Cortex A9 announced, offering hardware support for VP8 codec

Freescale Semiconductor has introduced the i.MX 6 series of quad-, dual- and single-core applications processors designed to deliver outstanding performance and scalability to manufacturers targeting the hottest selling smart mobile, automotive infotainment and embedded device categories. Integrating one, two or four ARM Cortex-A9 cores running at up to 1.2 GHz each, the i.MX 6 series delivers up to five times the performance of Freescale’s current generation of applications processors. This performance provides additional headroom for unbounded user experiences in next-generation tablets, eReaders, smartphones, automotive infotainment systems and other exciting consumer and automotive products. Potential applications include mobile devices featuring 3D video playback, desktop-quality gaming, augmented reality applications and content creation capabilities – all delivered in ultra-sleek form factors and with significant battery life advantages over many of today’s most popular mobile devices.

The i.MX 6 series is distinguished further by being one of the first applications processors to offer hardware support for the VP8 codec. "By incorporating VP8 compression technology into its advanced new i.MX 6 series of applications processors, Freescale is setting the pace for the consumer industry," said Jani Huoponen, hardware product manager for the WebM Project. "This hardware-based VP8 implementation gives Freescale customers the benefits of fully accelerated WebM support and outstanding performance."

The product series is comprised of the single-core i.MX 6Solo, dual-core i.MX 6Dual and quad-core i.MX 6Quad processors. Key technical features of the series include:
+ Industry-leading four-core design
o Up to four ARM Cortex-A9 cores running at up to 1.2 GHz per core
o Up to 1 MB system level 2 cache
o ARMv7, Neon, VFPv3 and Trustzone support
+ Multistream-capable HD video engine delivering 1080p60 decode, 1080p30 encode and 3D video playback in HD
+ Exceptional 3D graphics performance with quad shaders for up to 200 MTPS
+ Separate 2D and vertex acceleration engines for uncompromised user interface experiences
+ Stereoscopic image sensor support for 3D imaging
+ Interconnect: HDMI v1.4 w/ integrated PHY, SD3.0, multiple USB 2.0 ports w/ integrated PHY, Gb Ethernet, SATA-II w/ integrated PHY, PCI-e w/ integrated PHY, MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, MIPI HSI, and FlexCAN for automotive applications
+ Support for the VP8 codec
+ Support for one of the broadest ranges of major operating system platforms in the industry
+ Optional integration of an ePaper display controller for eReader and similar applications

Freescale plans to begin sampling i.MX 6 series devices later this year. Easy-to-use solutions come with complete reference designs, software and turnkey development technologies that simplify design. For more information about the i.MX 6 series, please visit www.freescale.com/imx.