Module Introduction PURPOSE: The intent of this module is to introduce a series of modules that explain important features of Motorola s i.mx applications processors. OBJECTIVES: - Explain the need for applications processors. - Examine the characteristics of wireless device convergence. - Identify the components of a generic smartphone. - Describe the features of the i.mx1 and i.mxl processors. CONTENT: - 8 pages - 1 question LEARNING TIME: - 15 minutes The intent of this module is to introduce a series of modules that explain important features of Motorola s i.mx applications processors. Once you have finished this module, you will be better prepared to explain the need for applications processors in today s market, describe the characteristics of wireless device convergence, identify the components of a generic smartphone design, and describe the features of the i.mx1 and i.mxl processors.
What are i.mx and DragonBall TM products? DragonBall TM applications processors were introduced in 1995. DragonBall TM applications processors are targeted for wireless/handheld consumer applications. i.mx refers to the ARM -based applications processors Motorola has supported the DragonBall TM family since 1995 and is a leader in the applications processors space. Within the DragonBall TM family, two 32-bit cores are supported: both 68K and ARM. Regardless of which core a customer chooses to use, the DragonBall TM processors deliver cost-effective solutions meeting the extensive requirements of today's portable consumer market. Our highly integrated devices allow customers to design with fewer components, saving both system cost and board space. The i.mx family of applications processors consists of all of Motorola s applications processors that are based on an ARM core. The i.mx products are part of Motorola s Innovative Convergence portfolio of products.
Why Applications Processors? Applications Processors are targeted for: enabling portable devices with advanced features. handheld devices requiring high performance and long battery life. decreased BOM cost through increased integration. The i.mx products are designed to address the needs of the wireless and handheld market. The demands of portable products are high. Wireless products have always required the perfect balance between performance and battery life, and within the last several years, these devices have also continued to offer an increasing level of system integration. Additionally, consumers are driving portable products to be smaller in size and lower in cost. By creating devices with rich peripheral sets, we are allowing our customers to design their system with fewer overall components. Fewer components equal simplified printed circuit board (PCB) design, smaller board designs, reduced inventory and assembly costs, and higher assembly yield.
Wireless Device Convergence Wireless Communication Wireless Access Devices Portable Internet-connected devices Instant-on Increased information velocity vs. PC Always available, easy-to-use Mobile Computing Within the wireless, handheld market, the two major segments are traditional personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones. The current technologies of purely wireless devices and purely data centric devices are merging together to form a new converged set of features. Although it is unclear if the converged device of the future will look more like a phone or a PDA, it is clear that handheld devices will be integrating wireless technology along with PDA like functionality. Such devices would allow one to access the web via a PDA, synchronize contact lists on a cell phone, or email pictures from your mobile device.
Generic Smartphone Transceiver /Receiver Switch Power Amplifier Module i.xxx Innovative Convergence Platform Front End IC Dual Core Baseband Processor IC SIM Memory Card Expansion MC9328MX1 Reset Flash Memory I/F Codec I/F LCD Ctrl Touch Screen I/F V-I/O Bluetooth Wireless Platform Keyboard Buttons Color or B/W LCD Touch Screen Charge Jack Crystal Battery Charger & Protection IC Battery Contacts Power Management and Audio Circuit IC Vibrate Alert Designers of smartphones are tasked with combining cellular functionality along with an applications processor functionality. The i.mx series of microprocessors is designed to provide the applications processor portion and seamless integration with the cellular processor. This companion chip approach allows for functionality to be changed and enhanced in the applications processor without requiring the need to re-certify the cellular functionality of the smartphone with carriers. This example shows the i.mx1 varied interface ability. In this case the MX1 is being incorporated to a generic smart phone application. The rest of the training will focus specifically on the i.mx family, which consists of the current ARM -based i.mx processors.
i.mx and i.mxl JTAG / ICEM System Control Boot strap CGM Power Control Standard System I/O PWM Connectivity I 2 C (2) SPIs USB 1.1 (2) UARTs SSI / I 2 S Smartcard I/F MMC / SDHC Memory Stick Host Controller BTA 16k Bytes I Cache CPU Complex ARM920T TM 16k Bytes D Cache 128k Bytes esram DMAC (2) AIPs Bus Control VMMU EIM & (S)DRAM Controller Interrupt Controller GPIO (2) Timers Watchdog RTC Multimedia MMA Video Port Human I/F ASP LCDC Shared feature between i.mx1 and i.mxl New or enhanced feature with i.mx1 The i.mx1 is based on an ARM920T TM CPU core and consists of a number of new features and enhancements from earlier DragonBall TM devices. It s rich peripheral set includes features for the CPU complex, system control and standard system I/O, multimedia and human interface, and connectivity. These peripherals will be talked about in more detail in later modules. The color coding on this screen indicates the differences between the i.mx1 and its derivative, the i.mxl. All feature descriptions for the peripherals in the later modules will apply to both the i.mx1 and the i.mxl, unless stated otherwise. The i.mxl is also appropriate for wireless applications, but its level of integration makes it better suited for less-feature rich products that are more cost sensitive. The differences between the i.mx1 and i.mxl are the embedded SRAM, the Bluetooth accelerator, the analog signal processor, and the Smartcard interface.
Question Categorize all of the devices as Wireless Communication or Mobile Computing devices? Drag the devices to the correct category and click Done. Wireless Communication two-way radio cellular phone wireless data paging two-way radio classic PDA wireless data paging cellular phone Mobile Computing PC companion PC companion classic PDA Done Reset Show Solution Here is a question to check your understanding of the material presented so far. Correct! The two-way radio, cellular phone, and wireless data paging devices are wireless communications devices while the PC companion and classic PDA are mobile computing devices.
Module Summary - Applications processors - Wireless device convergence - Generic smartphones - i.mx1 and i.mxl Once you have finished this module, you will be better prepared to describe the reasons for applications processors, the characteristics of wireless device convergence, the features of generic smartphones, and the characteristics of the i.mx1 and i.mxl.