Freescale intros Kinetis L series, industry’s first MCU built on ARM Cortex-M0+ processor

DESIGN West 2012, AUSTIN, USA: Highlighting its role as a leader in ARM®-based embedded processing, Freescale Semiconductor announced it will demonstrate its new Kinetis L series microcontrollers (MCUs) built on the ARM Cortex-M0+ processor at DESIGN West in San Jose, California. Alpha sampling of Kinetis L series devices will begin in the second quarter of 2012.

Freescale’s early demonstration of Kinetis L series devices is possible due to the close partnership between Freescale and ARM during the Cortex-M0+ core development process. Freescale was a lead partner, providing input that helped ARM define and develop the world’s most energy-efficient processor, designed to satisfy the rigorous energy-efficiency, cost-sensitivity and ease-of-use requirements of entry-level applications such as domestic appliances, portable medical systems, smart meters, lighting, power and motor control systems.

With more than 30 years of experience in MCU development, Freescale provided valuable insights during the definition and validation of the new processor, particularly in the areas of I/O handing and debug support. This close collaboration resulted in the L series – an entry-level MCU family that combines exceptional energy-efficiency and ease-of-use with the performance, peripheral sets, enablement and scalability of the Kinetis 32-bit MCU portfolio while leveraging the inherent low-power and high-performance features of the ARM Cortex architecture.

“Our close partnership with ARM throughout the design and development of their new core has positioned us as the first MCU supplier to produce and demonstrate an MCU based on the Cortex-M0+ and continues our strategy of driving to market new products based on the ARM architecture,” said Reza Kazerounian, senior VP and GM, Freescale’s Automotive, Industrial and Multi-Market Solutions Group. “Our new Kinetis L series MCUs will significantly expand the design options available for creating the next generation of smarter, smaller, more energy-efficient embedded applications.”

“Freescale was the first supplier to bring Cortex-M4 processor-based MCUs to the mass market, and they are again taking a lead role with an ARM processor – in this case the Cortex-M0+ processor,” said Mike Inglis, executive VP and GM of ARM’s Processor Division. “With the addition of the L series to their Kinetis line, Freescale is creating one of the industry’s broadest, most scalable ARM Cortex-M MCU portfolios, ranging from very low-cost, entry-level products based on the ARM Cortex-M0+ processor, up to 4 MB, 200 MHz devices based on the Cortex-M4 processor.”