January 21, 2008 -- Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. has expanded its ColdFireR licensing program by offering its 32-bit V1 ColdFire core to the embedded community through IPextreme, Inc.. Using a novel business model, IPextreme's newly launched Core Store will enable customers to license ColdFire cores online at a fraction of traditional licensing costs. For as little as $10,000, customers can obtain a license for the V1 ColdFire core, giving them exceptional design flexibility using proven microcontroller (MCU) technology based on three decades of evolutionary development.

"By offering the V1 ColdFire core to developers at the $10,000 threshold, Freescale and IPextreme are providing an exceptionally cost-effective entry point to ColdFire architecture," said Aiden Mitchell, consumer and industrial MCU Product Manager for Freescale's Microcontroller Solutions Group. "IPextreme's innovative online Core Store gives customers the design freedom and flexibility to develop application-specific solutions without the high cost and long sales cycle usually associated with traditional core technology transactions."

By using IPextreme's Core Store site, users can browse and license ColdFire MCU cores with a few quick and easy clicks. Customers also may benefit from greater flexibility in choosing technical and service support packages through the Core Store site.

Freescale launched the ColdFire licensing program in 2006 with the availability of its V2 ColdFire core through IPextreme. Working in collaboration with Freescale, IPextreme markets, sells and supports Freescale's V1 and V2 ColdFire cores to system-on-chip (SOC) designers seeking to integrate the cores and other functions onto single-chip ICs.

Pricing and Availability

The V1 ColdFire core is planned to be available for licensing in late Q1 2008. IPextreme will market, license and support the V1 ColdFire core to SOC designers through its online Core Store. V1 ColdFire core licensing fees start at $10,000 for a basic single-use license.