TAIPEI, Taiwan /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- Freescale Semiconductor announces its support of Microsoft Windows 8 sensor requirements with a fully enabled 12-axis sensor development reference platform. Freescale's sensor solution will be demonstrated June 5–9, at Computex in Taipei, Taiwan; June 6–7, at Sensors Expo in Rosemont, IL; and June 18–21 at the Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) in San Antonio, TX. General availability for the Freescale platform is planned for Q3 2012.
"In the extremely competitive and fast-paced mobile computing market, customers need comprehensive, quickly deployable solutions," said Seyed Paransun Vice President and General Manager of Freescale's Sensor & Actuator Solutions Division. "Freescale's sensor solution for Windows 8-based portable devices is engineered to dramatically reduce system complexity by seamlessly providing critical hardware and software components, thereby enabling customers to rapidly apply their distinct differentiation and unleash unbounded user experiences."
Included in the Freescale 12-axis sensor platform are the Xtrinsic MMA8451Q 3-axis accelerometer; Xtrinsic MAG3110 3-axis magnetometer; Xtrinsic MPL3115A2 precision altimeter, pressure, and temperature sensor; and an analog ambient light sensor. A selection of compatible gyroscopes are also supported. Setting Freescale apart from the competitive field is the additional integration of Freescale's ColdFire+ MCF51JU128VHS microcontroller. The ColdFire device acts as a sensor hub and couples with Freescale sensor fusion software to efficiently combine, configure, and process the sensor data to the requirements of the Windows 8 operating system. Built with an acute focus on standby power consumption, overall power consumption, and cost effectiveness, the reference platform communicates with the host PC via USB, using standard HID drivers.
The Freescale 12-axis sensor reference platform leverages the strengths of the individual sensors to synthesize data such as motion, location, ambient light, and human proximity into an integrated whole, resulting in more accurate, reliable, and sensitive device performance. The platform offloads sensor fusion tasks from the host processor to the Freescale sensors, which allows for more customizable, power-efficient solutions.
"Achieving successful sensor fusion is increasingly essential as the number of sensors in mobile devices continues to rise," said Jereemie Bouchaud, Director and Senior Principal Analyst, MEMS and Sensors, at IHS. "Smart sensor fusion is especially critical for devices combining an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a compass. By 2016, IHS estimates that 1.2 billion handsets, tablets, and laptops will be equipped with these three sensors together, up from 249 million in 2011."
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A Proven Leader in Sensing Solutions
Expanding on its more than 30-year heritage of sensor innovation, Freescale's Xtrinsic sensing solutions are designed with the right combination of high-performance sensing capability, processing capacity, and customizable software to help deliver smart, differentiated sensing applications. With Xtrinsic sensing solutions, Freescale's vision is to offer a diverse and differentiated product portfolio to meet the expanding needs of the automotive, consumer, and industrial segments. Xtrinsic solutions offer distinct blends of functionality and intelligence designed to help customers differentiate and win in highly competitive markets.
About the Freescale Technology Forum
Created to drive innovation and collaboration, the Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) has become one of the developer events of the year for the embedded systems industry. The forum has drawn more than 48,000 attendees at FTF events worldwide since its inception in 2005. Its annual flagship event, FTF Americas, takes place June 18–21, 2012, in San Antonio, TX. Registration is now open.
About Freescale
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in embedded processing solutions, providing industry-leading products advancing the automotive, consumer, industrial, and networking markets. From microprocessors and microcontrollers to sensors, analog integrated circuits, and connectivity, its technologies are the foundation for the innovations that make our world greener, safer, healthier, and more connected. Some of our key applications and end-markets include automotive safety, hybrid and all-electric vehicles, next-generation wireless infrastructure, smart energy management, portable medical devices, consumer appliances, and smart mobile devices. The company is based in Austin, TX, and has design, research and development, manufacturing, and sales operations around the world.
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Freescale and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor Inc., ColdFire+ and Xtrinsic are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.