Freescale Semiconductor has introduced a reference design for tablet mobile computers.
The design features a 7-inch touch screen which the company claimed has up to four times the viewing area of a typical smartphone.
The concept of the tablet is a mobile device which sits between the netbook and smartphone.
It has a form factor that is approximately one-third the size and volume of today’s typical netbook.
Freescale said the reference design should support a type of smartbook with prices less than $200.
The reference design is based on Freescale’s i.MX515 processor which is an ARM Cortex-A8 based device.
Also included are the MC13892 power management IC, SGTL5000 audio codec and MMA8450Q 3-axis accelerometer.
End products based on the design could hit retail shelves as soon as the summer of 2010.
“We believe the tablet will emerge as a popular form factor for the next generation of smartbooks,” said Henri Richard, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Freescale.
“By introducing this prototype reference design, Freescale intends to play a vital role in propelling the mainstream adoption of smartbooks,” said Richard.
The tablet reference design includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and also features a 3D desktop framework with touch screen/QWERTY keyboard support. 3G modem and RF4CE protocol options are available.
Freescale offers design aids including block diagrams, schematics, lists of materials and a Linux board support package.