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News Release from: Freescale Semiconductor
Subject: DragonBall MXL
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 18 November 2002

Processor powers real-time applications frugally

Handheld device developers can find industry-leading power performance and a broad range of features at an attractive price point in Motorola's second-generation DragonBall MXL applications processor.

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Handheld device developers seeking industry-leading power performance and a broad range of features at an attractive price point will find it in Motorola's second-generation DragonBall MXL applications processor. The first to take advantage of Motorola's advanced product is Garmin International, a leader in GPS technology, which plans to incorporate the processor into a family of GPS-enabled products, including those that will run the Palm OS 5 platform. "We selected the DragonBall MXL chip because of its strong capability for real-time applications enabled by the ARM9 microprocessor core and the rich set of peripherals and features integrated by the Motorola design team", stated Cliff Pemble, Director of Engineering for Garmin International.

Efficient power management has become the key design metric for companies providing wireless consumers with a rich experience via rapid, graphics-enhanced data and voice applications, combining high performance with long battery life.

DragonBall MXL device is designed to set new industry standards in meeting the dynamic market requirements of access to data and services without frequent stops to recharge batteries.

Motorola's DragonBall MX family has already delivered to customers significant power management savings ranging from two to eight times better battery life compared with competing solutions.

"Motorola brings high performance and low power to a less expensive and higher volume class of portable devices", commented Max Baron, principal analyst for In-Stat/MDR.

"The MXL's pin and software compatibility with MX1 will present a strong argument in favor of scalability and future continuity for Motorola's DragonBall MX family of processors".

The DragonBall MXL architecture integrates system components on a chip to achieve the lowest power consumption for consumer applications in a wireless environment.

A powerful additional feature of the DragonBall MXL processor is its state-of-the-art LCD controller that lowers the overall system cost and the clock frequency, leading to longer battery life and improved display performance.

"The new DragonBall MXL processor is a great addition to the full DragonBall portfolio, enabling Motorola to provide developers and manufacturers with a growing range of options to help tailor their designs and meet different feature needs at different price points", said Pete Shinyeda, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Motorola's Wireless and Broadband Systems Group.

"Ultimately, we think power performance is the best way to measure applications processor capabilities".

The DragonBall MXL device is expected to sell at a suggested price for low volumes of US $10.30 each.

Application development boards from Metrowerks are expected to be available by the end of the year, and full volume production is planned for the first quarter of 2003.

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