Freescale ColdFire
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The Freescale ColdFire is a 68k architecture microprocessor manufactured for embedded systems development by Freescale Semiconductor (formerly the semiconductor sector of Motorola).
The ColdFire instruction set is "assembly source" compatible (by means of translation software available from the vendor) and not entirely object code compatible with the 68000. When compared to classic 68k hardware, the instruction set differs mainly in that it no longer has support for the binary-coded decimal (BCD) packed data format; it removes a number of other, less used instructions; and most instructions that are kept support fewer addressing modes. Presumably this results in a simpler and lower cost instruction decoder. Also, floating point intermediates are 64 bits and not 80 bits as in the 68881 and 68882. The instructions are only 16, 32, or 48 bits long, a simplification compared to the 68000 series.
Newer models of ColdFire are compatible enough with 68k processors that it is now possible to create binary compatible Amiga clones[1]. The Debian project is currently working on making its m68k port compatible with the ColdFires[2], as there are ColdFire models that are much faster than the 68060. They can be clocked as high as 300MHz, compared with 75MHz for a 68060[3] (the fastest "real" m68k processor) without overclocking.
There are five generations or versions of the Coldfire available from Freescale:
- v1: Intended to support migration from 8-bit processors, and is a cut-down version of the v2 processor-wise. It was launched in 2006, 12 years after the original Coldfire. It is designed to easily replace the 8-bit Freescale 68HC08 processors and compete with low-end ARM chips.
- v2: was the original Coldfire core launched in 1994. Single-issue pipeline, no MMU, no FPU.
- v3: Added an optional MAC unit.
- v4: Limited superscalar core.
- v4e (or eV4 in some documents): Enhanced version of the v4, launched in 2000. Adds optional MMU, FPU, and enhanced MAC unit to the architecture.
- v5: Fully superscalar core.
There is also the Fido 1100: a Coldfire clone launched in 2007 aimed at predictable embedded control systems based on the Coldfire.
In November of 2006 Freescale announced that ColdFire microprocessor cores were available for license as semiconductor Intellectual Property through their IP licensing and support partner IPextreme Inc.
[edit] Notes and references
[edit] References
- ^ http://elbox.com/faq_dragon.html
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=MC68060&nodeId=018rH3YTLC4622
[edit] External links
- Freescale Semiconductor's Official ColdFire Site
- Original announcement of ColdFire based Amiga clone and FAQ about it
- Debian m68k/ColdFire porting project.
- Coldfire emulator
- The eCos and RTEMS open source real-time operating systems.
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