Motorola's Latest ColdFire(R) Processor Delivers High Performance for Cost Sensitive 32-bit Embedded Applications

AUSTIN, Texas, April 25 -- Continuing to deliver on its commitment to provide 68K/ColdFire® processor customers a cost-effective mix of performance, integration and tools, Motorola, Inc. announced its first standard product based on the Version 4 (V4) ColdFire® core. The MCF5407 integrated microprocessor uses smart DigitalDNA(TM) technology to build upon the success of the award-winning(1) MCF5307 device by combining its peripheral set with the high performance V4 microarchitecture.

``With the significantly high performance boost, coupled with the aggressive pricing, the ColdFire V4 microprocessor will undoubtedly take Motorola to a higher level in the embedded control market. This latest development will further solidify the 68K/ColdFire architecture's strong position,'' said Tony Massimini, chief of technology, Semico Research Corporation.

Expected to be priced in the $20 range, the MCF5407 processor achieves a 257 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS performance level at 162 MHz, offering more than twice the performance of any previous 68K/ColdFire product. On-chip peripherals include commonly used embedded functions such as DMA and DRAM controllers, timers, serial and parallel communication interfaces and an I2C controller, thereby decreasing system cost and time-to-market.

``By combining so many attractive features -- high performance, integration, code compatibility, development tool support -- together with what we believe to be a compelling price, we are demonstrating why the 68K/ColdFire family continues to be one of the most successful 32-bit embedded architectures,'' said Mario Rivas, corporate vice-president and general manager, Standard Embedded Solutions Group of Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector.

The product's significant performance increase over previous standard ColdFire product provides an attractive roadmap for 68K/ColdFire designs. The package, pinout and integration mix of the MCF5407 processor offers current MCF5307 users a simple pin-to-pin compatible upgrade with more than three times the performance. In addition, current MC68EC040 and MC68EC060 designs migrating to the MCF5407 processor will see a performance increase up to 10 times, while benefiting from the broad array of integration available on the MCF5407.

Motorola's ColdFire development roadmap is based on a strong foundation of reuse, giving designers the flexibility to create new classes of electronics while leveraging previous investments. Extending the successful 68K processor into new performance levels, the 100% synthesizable ColdFire family is ideal for emerging high volume, cost sensitive embedded markets where world-class development tools and software and programmer familiarity can be leveraged.

Pricing and Availability

The MCF5407 is packaged in a 208-pin plastic QFP and is built in an aggressive 0.22 micron QLM technology. Sampling is expected to begin in May, with production following in the third quarter of 2000. The device will be initially offered for commercial temperature (0-70 degrees) operation at 162 MHz. The suggested list price is $19.95 in 10K quantities.

About Motorola

As the world's No.1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector offers multiple DigitalDNA(TM) technologies which enable its customers to create ``smart'' products and new business opportunities in the networking and computing, wireless communications, transportation, and imaging and entertainment markets. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $7.4 billion (USD) in 1999. http://www.motorola.com/semiconductors

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999 were $33.1 billion. http://www.motorola.com

(1) Motorola's MCF5307 processor won Microprocessor Reports Editor's Choice Award for best integrated microprocessor in 1998.

Motorola and ColdFire are registered trademarks and DigitalDNA is a trademark of Motorola, Inc. All other names, products and services are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information contact: Wendell Smith, 512-895-6422, wendell.smith@motorola.com, or Mireille Mazzaschi, (North America), 512-895-3182, mireille.mazzaschi@motorola.com, or Koichi Yoshimira, (Japan), 81 3 3280 8672, rty490@email.mot.com, or Elaine Gemmell, (Europe), 44 1355 35 6352, ttz248@email.sps.mot.com, or Patrick Chan, (Asia Pacific), 85 22 66 68756, r14170@email.sps.mot.com, all of Motorola.