Freescale SoC drives Ford's infotainment system

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Feb. 26, 2007

Freescale Semiconductor says its i.MX31 "multimedia applications processor" is the brains behind Ford's recently announced Sync in-car communications and entertainment system. Sync runs "Microsoft Auto," recently renamed from Windows Mobile for Automotive, and will be available later this year in a dozen 2008 models, according to Freescale.

i.MX31

The i.MX31 (system-on-chip) integrates an ARM1136 processor core along with a Java accelerator, a vector floating point math coprocessor, and a video processing engine that supports full-motion (30 frames/sec) VGA video. It also contains a host of system functions and peripheral interfaces (see block diagram).

Freescale says the 400 MHz version of the i.MX31 provides ample processing power to run the Windows Mobile operating system, handle audio signal processing for hands-free phone operation, and perform all of the voice recognition functionality in the Sync system. Additionally, the chip's USB connectivity enables high-speed data transfer between the Sync system and a mobile phone or portable media device.

Sync

Sync is described as a fully integrated, customizable communications and media system that allows car occupants to operate both Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and nearly all portable media players with simple voice commands, or by means of hand controls located on the steering wheel. Sync automatically connects with names in the mobile phone's contact list to support hands-free calling by name.

Sync, and some typical devices it works with
(Source: Ford)
Microsoft Auto

Microsoft Auto is a combination of Windows Mobile-based software with a hardware reference design based on the i.MX31. Additional features of the reference design, according to Microsoft, include:

256 MB NAND flash memory, 64 MB DDRAM
Bluetooth connectivity
Vehicle bus interface
Microphone for voice interaction with system
USB 2.0 host connections
IEEE 1394
UART connections
Cell phone module capable
GPS receiver capable

The Microsoft Auto software platform was formerly known as Windows Mobile for Automotive.

Berardino Baratta, general manager of Freescale's Multimedia Applications Division, stated, "The Ford Sync in-car communications and entertainment system changes the landscape in automotive infotainment with its hands-free voice recognition capability, familiar Microsoft interface and operational simplicity. Ford, Microsoft, and Freescale are enabling consumers to have access to all of their mobile devices and content in a user-friendly environment."

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