Freescale Semiconductor has collaborated with an impressive lineup of companies to enable 3G connectivity and additional operating system options for netbooks based on its new i.MX515 processor. For OEMs, the expanded ecosystem means faster time to market, greater differentiation and more compelling end devices.
Freescale entered the netbook market in January 2009 with the introduction of the i.MX515 processor and a comprehensive netbook reference design. The solution is designed to enable consumer products that deliver gigahertz performance, eye-popping graphics and eight hours of battery life between charges at extremely aggressive price points.

Developed jointly with Pegatron, the reference design includes Canonical's Ubuntu operating system based on Linux technology. Freescale now has expanded its netbook ecosystem, adding support for additional operating systems from Android Open Source Project, Phoenix Technologies and Xandros, as well as 3G connectivity capabilities via collaboration with Wavecom and Option. Freescale plans to enable 3G connectivity by providing hardware and software support for data modules optimized for the i.MX515 applications processor.

"Demand from third parties to partner with Freescale in the growing netbook market has been tremendous," said Glen Burchers, marketing director for Freescale's Consumer Segment. "Freescale is taking dead aim at the netbook space by assembling an outstanding portfolio of technologies and partners. As a result, we expect that a wide range of netbook models based on Freescale technology will be available for consumers in the second half of this year."

Freescale's expanded netbook ecosystem now includes:

• The Android platform: a comprehensive, open software stack that includes everything a manufacturer or operator needs to build a compelling mobile device
• Phoenix HyperSpace: an easy-to-use, instant-on operating environment that enables extended battery life and smart network connectivity
• Xandros customized Linux solutions: new, simple and compelling user experiences with integrated applications and an online digital marketplace, all designed to reduce time to market and costs for OEMs and carriers
• Wireless connectivity capabilities from Option, a leader in wireless broadband technology used by telecom operators and OEMs worldwide
• Wireless connectivity capabilities from Wavecom, a leading provider of embedded wireless technology for machine-to-machine communication

Availability
Freescale's netbook reference design is available now. The company currently is sampling the i.MX515 processor to tier one netbook customers. Volume production for the i.MX515 device is planned for Q2 2009 to power netbooks designed for the 2009 holiday shopping season. Support for 3G connectivity, as well as for the Android, Phoenix Technologies and Xandros operating systems, is expected to coincide with volume production of the i.MX515.