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Gadgets Freescale Licenses AMD Technologies
Anh Tuan Huynh (Blog) - September 17, 2007 3:43 PM
Print 46 comment(s) - last by weskurtz0081.. on Sep 18 at 3:38 PM

Freescale i.MX processors power Ford's SYNC system, optional in select 2008 Ford vehicles, including the Focus, Fusion and others  (Source: Ford)
AMD OpenGL ES 2.0 and OpenVG 1.0 technologies coming to a Freescale i.MX processor near you

AMD today announced Freescale Semiconductor will license its 2D and 3D graphics technology. Freescale Semiconductor will use the AMD graphics technologies to equip its i.MX processors with OpenGL ES 2.0 and OpenVG 1.0 technologies. OpenGL ES 2.0 and OpenVG technologies are designed for mobile applications where battery life is key, including portable gaming, navigation and media player devices.

“The adoption of AMD graphics technology by a world-leading semiconductor supplier validates our belief that thrilling graphics and attractive user interfaces are driving growth and revenues throughout the wireless industry,” said Adrian Hartog, senior vice president and general manager of AMD’s Consumer Electronics Group. “By licensing AMD’s leading technology, Freescale can leverage our patented Unified Shader Architecture and the only native vector graphics hardware solution to offer their OEM customers outstanding graphics functionality.”

Freescale i.MX processors power Ford’s Sync, an optional audio system upgrade for Ford Motor Company vehicles. The Ford Sync system delivers tight system integration between cars, portable media players and cellular phones using USB and Bluetooth technologies.

Freescale also produces the 32-bit FlexRay microcontroller used for the AdaptiveDrive system found in BMW’s latest X5 sport utility vehicle, and will also make its way into DaimlerBenz, Chrysler, General Motors and Volkswagen vehicles.

Expect Freescale i.MX processors with AMD licensed technologies to show up in the future in portable, home electronics and automotive applications.

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Show me the beef!
By phaxmohdem on 9/17/2007 4:24:39 PM , Rating: 2
OK, I know AMD needs all the good PR they can get, but how much will this actually mean for AMD financially? I get the feeling it is not that significant since that bit of information was left out.

Also a question: Does licensing technology mean that Freescale pays AMD a royalty per chip that uses their tech, or a lump sum/payments as outlined in a contract. Would this be pure profit essentially?




RE: Show me the beef!
By ajfink on 9/17/2007 4:40:36 PM , Rating: 3
This is a market in which AMD doesn't encroach - regardless of how the payment comes, it's pure profit.


RE: Show me the beef!
By TomZ on 9/17/07, Rating: -1
RE: Show me the beef!
By Oregonian2 on 9/17/2007 8:37:35 PM , Rating: 3
Unless they're going to close down their ATI "division" I suspect support costs for further development would go on anyway w/o regard to their licensing it to someone else. They obviously developed it in the first place for their own use, so having a third party license it seems like a bonus no matter what the revenue number is (unless it's so small that it doesn't cover the lawyer costs for drawing up the contracts).


RE: Show me the beef!
By TomZ on 9/17/2007 9:52:56 PM , Rating: 2
I agree!


RE: Show me the beef!
By Nik00117 on 9/17/2007 4:42:18 PM , Rating: 2
My best guess is considering this technology has been around that AMD developed for use on something else chances are its failry close to pure profit.

I'm assuming also AMD would of gone for a contract deal, like per chip they pay so much.


RE: Show me the beef!
By Samus on 9/17/2007 5:24:19 PM , Rating: 2
The automotive market is extremely profitable. AMD could benifit more than you think from this, especially considering Ford is finally out of the red, although its vehicles are considerably more expensive than they used to be :(


RE: Show me the beef!
By mdogs444 on 9/17/2007 5:26:33 PM , Rating: 3
Yes ford is out of the red, and its vehicles are a higher price. But for that higher price, you still do not yield higher quality.

Ford still equals: Found On Road Dead, Fix Or Repair Daily


RE: Show me the beef!
By TomZ on 9/17/2007 5:41:37 PM , Rating: 3
Ford actually has world-class quality, if you look at the actual statistics. The problem with Ford is they have been severly mis-managed by the previous 2-3 CEOs, and cuts in product development through the years have led to a lack of interesting product models.

There seems to be a recurring problem with the US automotives - they cycle between financial management style and product managment style. Under financial management style, the focus is on producing short-term financial results, at the expense of product development. Under product management style, financial results go out the window so that product development can happen. When will they realize that these two extremes are both bad?


RE: Show me the beef!
By elegault on 9/17/2007 5:41:57 PM , Rating: 1
GM isn't any better.


RE: Show me the beef!
By TomZ on 9/17/2007 5:46:11 PM , Rating: 2
You guys should look at quality statistics, rather than relying on your fuzzy impressions of product quality from 20+ years ago. I'm not saying that I personally like GM or Ford cars, but both companies currently have world class quality.


RE: Show me the beef!
By Phynaz on 9/17/07, Rating: 0
RE: Show me the beef!
By MatthewAC on 9/17/2007 6:17:25 PM , Rating: 2
Walk outside and say that, you'll be shot XD.


RE: Show me the beef!
By Phynaz on 9/17/2007 10:29:23 PM , Rating: 2
Almost my entire family works for Ford, and I used to.

Now the only thing in my driveway is Honda and Toyota.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 10:42:40 PM , Rating: 2
Like I said below, Ford quality is much better today than it was years ago. They have really come a long way and are finally producing quality products that are knocking on the door of Toyota (as far as quality is concerned).

I don't doubt your post though and I am happy to see that they are making progress.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 6:48:04 PM , Rating: 2
Like TomZ said, you need to look at the stats. Back a decade ago the domestics did have many problems but, the quality today is MUCH better than it was back then. The last figure I saw was Ford coming in second for quality behind Toyota.

You know, just because Toyota makes good vehicles today doesn't mean they will make great vehicles in 10 years. Just because Ford GM and Chrysler had problems over the past decade doesn't mean that they have not improved on those problems.

You statement was very uneducated and ignorant.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 6:49:09 PM , Rating: 2
Also,

Have you ever owned a BMW or a Mercedes? Try owning one when it doesn't have a warranty. The current BMW are some of the least reliable BMW's in a long time. The 7 series being the worst culprit.


RE: Show me the beef!
By Cygni on 9/17/2007 7:16:36 PM , Rating: 1
This is laughably wrong. Ford is lightyears behind the top 5 of Toyota, Honda, Hyundai (yup), Subaru, and Nissan, and is still by far the worst performing major auto manufacturer sold in the united states in reliability.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-03-11-cr-...

Oh hey look, actual information to back up my claims, too!


RE: Show me the beef!
By Cygni on 9/17/2007 7:24:37 PM , Rating: 2
Also, head on over to CR's website and check out the ratings:

http://consumerreports.org/cro/cars/types/new-a-to...

Only 2 of Ford's 27 models recieve the 2nd tier recommendation... compare this to Acura 4/6, or Toyotas 9/22.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 8:06:53 PM , Rating: 2
I would like to see more information than just the recommendations. I personally don't understand why none of the domestic trucks were recommended. I have personally had experience with MANY different 1ton and 3/4ton Fords and Dodges. The Fords from 1999 up have been outstanding. The Dodge trucks from 03 on have also been great trucks. Yet, they do not earn a recommendation from this site? Doesn't make any sense. Where did these vehicles score poorly? How did they test them? At any rate, here are some links to opposing view points.

www.topix.net/forum/autos/mercury/TM8F3VUFAO9EQ2M 7C
blog.servassistonline.com/blog/2006/11/consumers_ repor.html
www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=1156 77
www.999today.com/motorandautos/news/story/3522.ht ml
www.topix.net/forum/autos/mercury/TM8F3VUFAO9EQ2M 7C


RE: Show me the beef!
By Phynaz on 9/17/2007 10:47:39 PM , Rating: 2
You can subscribe to the magazine or the website to obtain the answers to your questions. They detail the quaility for every can sold in the US for the last 6 - 8 years. They include everything from door rattles to engine failures.

I can tell you that their sample sizes are much larger than "my truck". I'll bet their sample sizes are bigger than anyone besides the manufacturers themselves.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/18/2007 1:16:02 AM , Rating: 2
I wasn't speaking of one truck, I was speaking of a sample size of around 100. I know that isn't anywhere near what they sample, but I am not going to pay to view the info. I will be able to find it else where, maybe just not as soon. Anyway, the data shows that the locals are increasing quality and we will see how well the longevity is in the future.

The stuff I say about BMW's and Merc's comes straight from the dealers. I don't personally work for one but a family member works for a BMW dealer as a service advisor and deals with the cars on a daily basis. The sister dealership is next door and they are Merc. So, I am speaking of a very large sample size. I don't know how BMW gets away with some of the stuff they do but so far they seem to be skating by.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/18/2007 1:17:01 AM , Rating: 2
Actually, I might subscribe to it.... if it really has that much info it could be pretty handy for my own use.

Thanks for posting that site.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 8:12:10 PM , Rating: 2
RE: Show me the beef!
By theapparition on 9/18/2007 8:16:33 AM , Rating: 2
CR is the absoulute worst resource for any car review. They might pick good toasters, but that's about it.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/18/2007 9:54:10 AM , Rating: 2
The Partition,

While some people claim that one place is worse than another, and I agree some are. I find it best to use as many sources as possible due to the fact we cannot be sure which one is being dishonest.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 7:45:20 PM , Rating: 3
Cygni,

I am not sure if you bothered to look at the date on the article..... it was 4 years ago. You might want to look at some up to date data being posted. I didn't bother posting a link because I figured a simple search could be done for it like I did. When I respond to the other guy I will post a link for those who can't be trusted to post accurate data.

Just in case you were wondering, it's September 2007.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 8:49:32 PM , Rating: 2
Oh Cygni,

could you try not to be a D*** next time?

Thanks....


RE: Show me the beef!
By TomZ on 9/17/2007 9:52:05 PM , Rating: 4
That's nice, now why don't you look at J.D. Power IQS, since that is a pretty comprehensive and up-to-date look at automotive quality.

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pre...

“The 2007 IQS results contain some encouraging and positive news for Ford Motor Company,” said Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis at J.D. Power and Associates. “Fourteen Ford Motor Company models place in the top three of their respective segments—an achievement unmatched by any other corporation this year—which is a testament to the improvement in quality for Ford Motor Company vehicle models and plants. In addition, their Lincoln nameplate, which receives two segment awards, improves considerably to rank third in 2007, from 12th in 2006.”

Note that I'm quoting J.D. Power, not a Ford Press Release.

For the first time since 1999, a North American assembly plant receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects. Ford Motor Company’s Wixom assembly plant in Michigan, which produced the Lincoln Town Car, averages just 35 PP100. Plant awards are based solely on defect counts.

Among other North and South American plants, the General Motors Oshawa 2 plant in Ontario, Canada, which produces the Buick LaCrosse and Pontiac Grand Prix, receives the Silver Plant Quality Award.

Enjoy the reading...


RE: Show me the beef!
By Phynaz on 9/17/2007 10:38:29 PM , Rating: 2
IQS - Initial Quality Survey - 90 days. Hardly enough time to determine the quality of a product, unless it's a piece of fruit.

You know how you get high rankings?

You do things like bake your electronic modules in an oven before you install them. Weeds out all the modules that will fail early.

It also increases long term failure rates buy hundreds of percent. But who cares? The car is out of warranty, it's the customers problem.

I remember being in a meeting one time about a new engine design that was showing large numbers of customers reporting oil in the cooling system. One of the proposed solutions? Black antifreeze.

Godd old American quality there!


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/18/2007 12:01:25 AM , Rating: 2
Phynaz,

The thing is though, the American vehicles have not been getting this award and have consistently had problems over the past decade or longer over the long term. Now, they have been awarded good initial quality so who's to say the vehicles aren't actually better? See the correlation here? I am not saying that I am 100% sure that the American cars are now much better than they were years ago, but you cannot be certain that they have not gotten much better.

As far as the factory closing, it is pretty funny that they closed them. I imagine the factories were slated to be closed before they received these awards, and they are probably closing these factories for logistical reasons which make the most sense regardless of the award.

You want to talk about stuff that is shoddy manufacturing, if you would like I can list a ton of things that BMW does which is sub par for the course. They continue to use parts that they know are not reliable, that they know WILL fail and have a short lifespan. I don't understand the logic because they fail always fail within the warranty, and then of course after the warranty is up. If you want me to make a list just let me know. Point of the above is, this kind of stuff is not limited to American companies, and I think they deserve credit where it is due. In a few years, when these vehicles have a chance to run the course we might see that they are what we were told they were today.


RE: Show me the beef!
By Phynaz on 9/17/2007 10:58:04 PM , Rating: 2
It's also interesting to note the Platinum award winning plant closed four months ago.


RE: Show me the beef!
By TomZ on 9/17/2007 11:13:46 PM , Rating: 2
Yes, and I think one of the GM plant closed too. I can't remember which one, though. There's some kind of irony there, isn't there?


RE: Show me the beef!
By theapparition on 9/18/2007 8:14:55 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Oh hey look, actual information to back up my claims, too!

You should also take a look at this, since you like actual information.
http://www.jdpower.com/articles/article.aspx?ID=25...

If you look at unbiased facts, American manufacturers (GM and Ford in particular) have made signifigant strides in quality and are on par with the top Japenese brands. Granted, they had nowhere to go but up. In 10 years, you'll be surprised by the rankings as the domestics will be the highest rated. It takes time to change the quality of products and even more time to change peoples' preconceived notions.


RE: Show me the beef!
By Cygni on 9/18/2007 1:46:03 PM , Rating: 2
JD Power is hardly a relied on source in any automotive circles. In the past, they have recommended a slew of unreliable and poorly made vehicles, and the reason why is simple: JD Power does NO in house testing or research.

NO in house testing.

JD Power simply does customer satisfaction surveys, but let me give a hint here: People dont like to admit that they got duped, or bought a crappy car. ESPECIALLY when brand loyalty is invloved ("My dad was always a Chebby guy and ill be a Chebby guy till i die! best truck ever!")

This is glaringly obvious just by glancing at JD Powers ratings. 5 star overall quality rating for Porsche? 4 star for Mercedes Benz? I suggest walking into well versed mechanic and asking him if he feels a Porsche 911 has a higher overall quality of manufacture and design than a Honda Civic. He will probably laugh at you for awhile.


RE: Show me the beef!
By weskurtz0081 on 9/18/2007 3:38:50 PM , Rating: 2
Cygni,

I didn't only reference JDpower, I had other links.... and I can find others if you want. Thank you for being pleasant in your last post that you brought to my attention.

At any rate, I don't base my conclusions on any one source. Even if a source is thought to be accurate you would still be best served to get information from more than that one source.

As far as the JDpower source is concerned. Since JDPower saying that Ford is now making much better quality vehicles, all the time that they were saying Ford was making low quality vehicles was incorrect? I am not sure if you see the correlation.

Why don't you post me some links to something other than CR, not that I am saying it isn't valid, I would just like to see more sources for your information. If you were doing an extensive report, you wouldn't use one source.... you would fail if you did.

See what CNN had to say about Ford last year.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/23/Autos/american_car...


RE: Show me the beef!
By jajig on 9/18/2007 1:24:04 AM , Rating: 2
Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts!


RE: Show me the beef!
By TomZ on 9/17/2007 5:44:08 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
The automotive market is extremely profitable.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that. Automotive tier-1 suppliers are extremely pressured financially, with several suppliers at, near, or in bankruptcy at the moment.


automaker quality
By bryanW1995 on 9/17/2007 10:46:18 PM , Rating: 2
I sell GM's but I drive a bmw. I agree that bmw quality sucks. I've had more problems with the bmw over the years than I ever did with fords or chevys. In general for quality asians>americans>europeans. Here's some jd power and associates initial quality study results:

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/quality-ratings

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/quality-ratings

I particularly like the dependability ratings. Of the top 5 you have honda and lexus (common knowledge) and...buick, cadillac, and mercury. Toyota is only 4* (ranked btwn 6 and 8th place), along with bmw (maybe I should get rid of the 01 and get a new one!) and lincoln.

Toyota is still ranked above chevy/ford/dodge, but the gap has considerably narrowed, and they're now behind several niche-market domestic brands. This is no accident, I have read these surveys for years. Toyota still is very strong but they are having massive growing pains to go with their massive growth. Honda as a 5* is the most impressive in my mind because they do so much volume, Toyota as a 4* is the most eye-opening b/c it showcases some of the cracks that have started appearing in their armor. This is just the tip of the iceburg for toyota, too. GM in particular has much higher quality than their reputation, while toyota has much higher reputation than actual quality.




RE: automaker quality
By bryanW1995 on 9/17/2007 10:50:29 PM , Rating: 2
RE: automaker quality
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 11:36:19 PM , Rating: 2
This article is to up to date for this discussion. In order to suit those people in here that don't want to here this information we really need to find data from the 90's or earlier this century. Much like the poster above posted something from 2003.


RE: automaker quality
By Cygni on 9/18/2007 1:51:54 PM , Rating: 2
Reposted from above:

quote:
JD Power is hardly a relied on source in any automotive circles. In the past, they have recommended a slew of unreliable and poorly made vehicles, and the reason why is simple: JD Power does NO in house testing or research.

NO in house testing.

JD Power simply does customer satisfaction surveys, but let me give a hint here: People dont like to admit that they got duped, or bought a crappy car. ESPECIALLY when brand loyalty is invloved ("My dad was always a Chebby guy and ill be a Chebby guy till i die! best truck ever!")

This is glaringly obvious just by glancing at JD Powers ratings. 5 star overall quality rating for Porsche? 4 star for Mercedes Benz? I suggest walking into well versed mechanic and asking him if he feels a Porsche 911 has a higher overall quality of manufacture and design than a Honda Civic. He will probably laugh at you for awhile. quote>

Also, notice i posted Consumer Reports rankings from THIS YEAR in a second post.

Ford, GM, and Chrysler lag HUGELY behind the "quality 5", and no amount of feet pounding will make up for that.


RE: automaker quality
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 11:48:09 PM , Rating: 2
also Bryan, I know GM had some problems back in the 90's and early about 5 years ago, but they have come a long way since then. I am not a big fan of the diesel trucks but I am sure they aren't as bad as I think. It's funny though, people don't want to hear that the domestics are making better vehicles today and no matter what we post to show this they will just say that the data provider is full of crap. Like I said, Toyota has a rep for making good vehicles so there is no way the reliability could get worse right? And since Ford had problems with reliability before so their is no way they could improve on that right? What kind of logic is that?


does anyone else think
By Gul Westfale on 9/17/2007 10:45:02 PM , Rating: 2
that AMD might want to consider a merger with freescale, or at least a broad cross-licensing agreement? their products complement each other, freescale is in a strong position in its field (embedded designs, mostly), both have good manufacturing experience... they could both benefit from each other without hurting each other in any way since their products do not compete in the same markets.




RE: does anyone else think
By TomZ on 9/17/2007 11:48:05 PM , Rating: 2
That would make about as much sense as a merger between AMD and ATI. Oh wait...

I think AMD should stick to its knitting. A merger with Freescale would be another terrible distraction.


RE: does anyone else think
By weskurtz0081 on 9/17/2007 11:50:45 PM , Rating: 2
Tom,

I think ATI already had a problematic product before AMD came into the picture. I am curious if AMD is having any influence on the driver updates that are consistently increasing the performance of R600. The updates took the product from being lack luster to a rather formidable foe.


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