In 1994, the innovative ColdFire Microprocessor Family was added to Freescale's Legacy 68K Family tree.  This new variable-length RISC 68K Family architecture delivers the aggressive price/performance required by the cost-sensitive embedded market.  In striving to meet the needs of the market with this innovative architecture, Freescale evaluated high-level source code from many 68K embedded systems customers.  Based on the results of this study, a reduced instruction set and addressing modes were identified which created an efficient environment for processor operation.  Like most RISC processors, the majority of ColdFire processor instructions execute in a single cycle.

The variable-length RISC ColdFire architecture gives customers greater flexibility to lower memory and system costs.  Because instructions can be 16-, 32- or 48 bits long, code is packed tighter in memory resulting in better code density than traditional 32- and 64-bit RISC machines.  More efficient use of on-chip memory reduces bus bandwidth and the external memory required, which results in lower system cost.

Small and inexpensive, the static ColdFire core also lowers system cost because it is completely synthesizable and easily integrated with memories, system modules, and peripherals.  Because of its portable nature, the ColdFire core is easily targeted to different process technologies, making it attractive as a product for third-party licensing.  Freescale is currently developing strategic alliances with other companies.

With its architectural relationship to the 68K Family, customers using 68K products should consider a standard ColdFire product as their next solution.  Because the ColdFire processor instruction set is a subset of the 68K Family instruction set, existing 68K customers find that designing with ColdFire microprocessors is a smooth transition.  Current 68K tool developers should also find that the newest member of the 68K family is easy to support.  Moreover, the ColdFire architecture has a product performance roadmap that extends beyond the 68K Family to provide 400 MIPS in the year 2001.  Thus, ColdFire processors provide a performance path for every member of the 68K Family.

The ColdFire product portfolio offers a wide mix of performance, price, integration and debugging capabilities for embedded designers looking to upgrade their systems.  The ColdFire product development tools offers are unmatched. its integration possibilities are limited only by imagination, and its 20-year history of 68K legacy is something no other competitor can offer.  With these features to work with, the ColdFire architecture is in a leadership position in the 32-bit embedded space.  You are invited to become a part of its success.

The development strategy for the ColdFire architecture is two fold - customer-specific products for large customers and standard products for the general embedded market. Because the ColdFire cores are all 100% synthesizable, they are quite easy to move to new process technologies and integrate with custom designs. This has led major manufacturers in markets such as inket and laser printers, consumer audio electronics, networking, and settop boxes to prefer the ColdFire architecture. In addition, Freescale offers standard products based on the ColdFire cores with integration that is common in many embedded systems. These products are very popular across the embedded market and provide fast time-to-market and cost-effective solutions for an amazing array of systems.

Recognizing that the ColdFire product family development tools platform is currently a dominant advantage over the competition, Freescale continues to provide customers with a broad set of development tool solutions. You can find tools such as an automated 68K-to-ColdFire processor converter and an emulation library available free-of-charge from MicroAPL Ltd. (licensing agreement applies). Freescale is creating new relationships with third-party tools developers who are interested in supporting our devices to continue to enhance the ColdFire microprocessor development tools portfolio. Our goal is to give customers a vast selection of development tool options.

ColdFire processors are a potent force in the 32-bit market. With its 68K heritage, aggressive pricing/performance points, highly integrated standard products, and comprehensive development tools support, Freescale's ColdFire architecture will drive the 68K Family into the future.