Freescale to launch 64bit i.MX family ‘in next 18 months’

The family – called i.MX 8 – will be manufactured on a 28nm process and targeted at 'highly advanced' driver information systems, as well as other multimedia intensive embedded systems. Geoff Lees, pictured, general manager of Freescale's microcontrollers business, said more than 150million i.MX devices had shipped since 2001. "Our i.MX applications processor portfolio has become one of the most prominent and successful in Freescale's history. Over the years, this ARM based processor line has unleashed innovation for thousands of customers with a broad array of successful end products in multiple embedded markets. "The i.MX applications processor portfolio has been especially popular among automotive customers, with eight of the world's top 10 automotive OEMs using i.MX processors for their advanced driver information systems platforms." Lees also noted that a 40nm generation of i.MX 6 devices, designed for telematics, infotainment and other graphically rich embedded applications, will be made on a 40nm process. This will be joined by a new i.MX 7 series based on 28nm process technology. This range will be aimed at IoT applications, point of sale products and other cost sensitive embedded applications. "We expect i.MX 7 series solutions for cost sensitive markets to be a key driver of our long term i.MX portfolio expansion," Lees added.