Freescale MC9S08QE128 and MCF51QE128 Flexis Microcontrollers

Freescale has introduced its new MC9S08QE128 and MCF51QE128 Flexis microcontrollers. The MC9S08QE128 is based on the S08 core, and the MCF51QE128 is based on the ColdFire V1 core. The Flexis QE128 family enables developers to migrate between low-end and high-performance embedded designs with exceptional ease, speed, cost effectiveness and ultra-low-power operating efficiency.

The Flexis microcontroller series provides the 8-bit to 32-bit connection point on Freescale’s Controller Continuum. The Controller Continuum roadmap provides stepwise compatibility for an easy migration path up or down the performance spectrum. Stepwise compatibility means developers can move from one device to the next compatible device, from the low end to the high end of the continuum.

Developers can choose to enter the Controller Continuum at the ultra-low-end RS08 microcontroller family, the more sophisticated S08 microcontroller devices or the top-of-the-line ColdFire embedded controllers. Each step has family members that share packaging, peripherals or pin-outs with the next step up or down the Controller Continuum. The 8- to 32-bit compatibility connection point at the center of the Controller Continuum is Freescale's Flexis series of microcontrollers.

By providing a clear migration path, the Flexis QE128 microcontrollers open up a wide range of possibilities in a variety of consumer and industrial applications, including:

• factory automation
• health care instrumentation and monitoring
• fire and security systems
• metering and consumer appliances
• HVAC and building control
• point-of-sale equipment

The compatible architectures and tools make it easy to expand into new embedded markets without having to invest heavily in software rewrites and conversion to a new architecture.

Ultra-Low Power
Flexis MC9S08QE128 microcontrollers offer industry-leading ultra-low-power features to help minimize operating costs and extend battery life. The MC9S08QE128 and MCF51QE128 can run off of an external 32-kilohertz oscillator that consumes less than 1 micro amp of current. The Flexis’ internal voltage regulator enables fast wake up from stop modes with a typical wake-up time of 6 microseconds. Stop modes for the Flexis MC9S08QE128 devices are extremely low power, offering 370 nano amps of current in the lowest power stop mode. Clock gating also can be used to disable clocks to unused modules, further reducing run-mode power consumption by as much as 33 percent.

Easy to Use
Freescale's CodeWarrior Development Studio for Microcontrollers 6.0 provides an array of built-in features and utilities to help developers deliver higher-quality products to market faster. For example, the Processor Expert rapid application design tool included in the CodeWarrior tool suite helps simplify the migration process between other Freescale microcontrollers.

To ease board design, Freescale offers the full-featured EVBQE128 evaluation board, the cost-effective DEMOQE128 demonstration board, and an extensive library of reference designs and application notes. Virtual labs and webcasts also are available to help developers learn how to design with the Flexis MC9S08QE128 devices.

Flexis MC9S08QE128 Product Features

• MC9S08QE128: first 8-bit S08 microcontroller with up to 128 KB flash memory
• 50MHz S08 or ColdFire V1 core operating frequency
• MCF51QE128: first 32-bit ColdFire V1 microcontroller and industry's most power-efficient 32-bit controller
  • Stop currents down to 370 nA
  • 6 microsecond wake-up time
  • Ultra-low run currents starting at 50 micro-amps
• Up to 8K bytes RAM
• Up to 128 KB flash
• 25MHz bus frequency
• Two analog comparators
• 24-channel, 12-bit analog-to-digital (ADC) converters
• One 6-channel and two 3-channel timer PWM modules
• Up to 70 general-purpose I/O (GPIO)
• Internal clock source (ICS)
• System integration: frequency locked loop (FLL) and software watchdog
• 2x SCI, 2x I2C, 2x SPI
• Real-time clock (RTC)
• Low-power external 32 kHz oscillator
• Enhanced internal oscillator, voltage regulator and real-time counter
• Common development tools including CodeWarrior for Microcontrollers 6.0
• 1.8V - 3.6V operating range
• Temperature Range: -40 degrees C to 85 degrees C
• Packages: 80LQFP, 64LQFP

Pricing and Availability
Early samples of the MC9S08QE128 and MCF51QE128 devices in 80LQFP and 64LQFP packages are planned for July 2007. Early samples of the MC9S08QE64 and MCF51QE64 devices, offering 64K of embedded flash memory in 64LQFP packages, are also planned for July 2007. Manufacturing samples are planned for November 2007.

The suggested resale price for the QE128 devices in 10K piece quantities start at $3.59 for the 8-bit device and $3.80 for the 32-bit device in the 64LQFP package. The suggested resale price for the QE64 devices in 10,000 piece quantities starts at $3.09 for the 8-bit device and $3.30 for the 32-bit device in the 64LQFP package. The EVBQE128 evaluation board is priced at a suggested resale price of $325, and the DEMOQE128 demonstration board is priced at a suggested resale price of $99.

More info: Freescale Flexis Microcontrollers