Motorola Offers Free Soft Modem Reference Design

Tool Based on ColdFire(R) MCF5407 Microprocessor Simplifies Development Of Low-Data Rate Applications

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To meet the increasing need to add connectivity in various types of embedded systems, Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is making available a soft modem reference design. Based on a high performance 32-bit microprocessor -- the MCF5407 -- this newest tool is engineered to enable systems designers to reduce development times and overall system costs in applications where low-cost connectivity is key such as remote utility management and data logging. By using a soft modem, companies may obtain and analyze information from anywhere in the world, simply by using a phone line to connect.

The third in a series of application-specific reference designs based on Motorola's ColdFire architecture, the soft modem reference design includes schematics, an applications note and source code available free for download to appropriately registered users from the Motorola web site. This overall package makes designing and developing embedded systems easy and cost- effective.

"Modems provide the most cost-effective solution where a phone call is made to exchange diagnostic, financial or authentication information between a central information server and end equipment," said Dr. Franz Fink, general manager for Motorola's 32-Bit Embedded Controller Division. "The soft modem offering makes it easy for customers to add exactly this kind of connectivity to their systems thereby helping to keep development costs low and speed time-to-market."

This newest design tool is ideally suited for applications with infrequent, small data transfers of less than a few hundred bytes. Examples include remote utility management, remote data logging, point-of-sale terminals, transaction terminals, home automation systems, security systems and set-top box back channel operations. Soft modems connect quickly and complete transactions faster than a higher speed modem can finish negotiating the connection. Connecting via a modem and phone line is convenient because the system can be called at any time, from any place to get an up-to- the-minute, status report on all conditions being monitored. Statistics such as quality level, real-time pricing, power, voltage, time and errors are also included.

ColdFire MCF5407 Microprocessor Soft Modem Reference Design Features
The free soft modem reference design features:

• Full schematics detailing the hardware design and software development
• Detailed applications note
• Soft modem application software available in optimized source code

Key Features of the ColdFire MCF5407 Microprocessor

• V4 ColdFire processor core with Harvard memory architecture and branch cache acceleration logic 
• 316 (Dhrystone 2.1) MIPS @ 220 MHz
• 16K instruction-cache, 8K data-cache
• 4KB SRAM
• Multiply accumulate (MAC) with integer and fractional capabilities
• Industry leading debug module offering both background and real-time capability
• Hardware integer divide unit
• Integrated processor (DRAM controller, 1 UART, 1 synchronous UART, four fully programmable DMA channels, eight chip selects, 16-bit general purpose I/O, two 16-bit timers, I2C module, system Integration -- PLL, Software watchdog)

Price and Availability
This ColdFire microprocessor soft modem reference design is available now at no cost to registered users on www.Motorola.com/ColdFire . The M5407C3 evaluation platform is available for purchase from Motorola for $650 (USD).
The MCF5407 evaluation boards are shipped with a full suite of evaluation software from leading tools vendors.

About ColdFire Integrated Microprocessors
The ColdFire integrated microprocessor product portfolio offers a versatile mix of performance, price, integration and debugging capabilities for embedded systems designers and is supported by a wide variety of development tools from Motorola and independent suppliers.

About Motorola Semiconductors
As the world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector creates DigitalDNA(TM) system-on- chip solutions for a connected world. Our strong focus on wireless communications and networking enables customers to develop smarter, simpler, safer and synchronized products for the person, work team, home and automobile. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $4.8 billion (USD) in 2002. For more information please visit www.motorola.com/semiconductors .

About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2002 were $26.7 billion. Motorola is a global corporate citizen dedicated to ethical business practices and pioneering important technologies that make things smarter and life better for people, honored traditions that began when the company was founded 75 years ago this year. For more information, please visit: www.motorola.com .