Reference design reduces time-to-market for IoT applications

8th October 2014

Siobhan O'Gorman

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Datasheet

Supporting a wide range of applications, an IoT gateway reference design has been introduced by Freescale Semiconductor. The reference design, developed with TechNexion, is suitable for IoT applications requiring performance and reliability, including building/home management, smart cities and networked industrial services.

Powered by the QorIQ LS1021A ARM-based processor, the reference design is engineered to allow OEMs to reduce design cycles and time-to-market. The reference design is also versatile, enabling IoT service providers to replace multiple boxes with a single, unified appliance.The QorIQ LS1021A processor is suitable for both IoT gateways and enterprise access points and security appliances. The processor, which is built on the Layerscape system architecture, provides two high-efficiency ARM Cortex-A7 cores. These cores feature ECC technology which enable high performance at less than 3W.

Dual USB 3.0 ports, a full size SATA III port and twin minPCIe connectors are provided with the reference design. To support communication solutions offered by the Shield family of modules, the reference design also incorporates connectors for Arduino Shield modules. Alongside the QorIQ LS1021A processor, the reference design integrates Freescale's Kinetis K20 MCU, audio codec and CAN PHYs. For improved power management, Freescale has also integrated the MC34VR500 multi-output DC/DC converter. To provide cross-vendor compatibility, the reference design is supported by a software development kit which simplifies coding for a wide range of interfaces.

The QorIQ LS1021A IoT gateway is available now and priced at $429.

“This newest IoT gateway underscores the advantages that Freescale’s comprehensive product portfolio offers to our customers, who increasingly require system-level solutions,” said Tareq Bustami, Vice President of Freescale’s Digital Networking division. “In addition, the QorIQ LS1021A processor’s sophisticated virtualisation and security capabilities provide the kind of reliability that other IoT gateways just can’t deliver.”

“The LS1021A IoT gateway breaks new ground, providing customers a ready-made platform that can fast-track their IoT applications to market,” said Marcel van den Heuvel, CEO, TechNexion. “Freescale’s advanced silicon and TechNexion’s manufacturing expertise make for a winning combination.”