Processor powers digital lifestyles

At the heart of the Lui system is a home server PC that allows users to access their digital content with a PC or other remote terminals in any room of the house.

Freescale Semiconductor is supplying 32bit ColdFire embedded processors for a new line of Lui home client/server solutions from NEC.

NEC has chosen Freescale's highly integrated, low-power MCF5328 ColdFire processor to provide remote-access capabilities for its Lui models of Valuestar R desktop PCs for the home media server market.

The MCF5328 processor provides an optimal balance of performance and power efficiency, enabling the PC remoter server board used in the Lui system to operate within a 1W power envelope.

The MCF5328 device's integrated Fast Ethernet controller and I2C bus interface allow flexible, industry-standard connectivity.

In addition, the MCF5328 runs on the uCLinux operating system supplied by Freescale, a key solution for reusing Linux software and reducing software development cycle times for NEC's server platform.

"Freescale's 32bit ColdFire processor has contributed significantly to the advanced remote control functionality and reduced power consumption of the PC remoter server board installed in NEC's Valuestar R consumer desktop PCs", said Hitoshi Miyai, Associate Senior Vice President, NEC Personal Products.

"Freescale has provided key enabling technology for the Lui home client/server solutions, which we believe will simplify and enhance the digital life experience of PC consumers".

The Lui products provide an innovative way to use client/server devices in home networks.

NEC's home server/client solutions enable centralised management of digital content in the home (such as video, music and photos).

At the heart of the Lui system is a home server PC that allows users to access their digital content with a PC or other remote terminals in any room of the house.

"NEC's Lui home client/server solutions offer consumers the latest computing technology for seamless 'anywhere, anytime' access to their digital content", said Paul Grimme, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Freescale's Microcontroller Solutions Group.

"Freescale's 32bit ColdFire processors provide an ideal low-power remote control solution for NEC's PC Remoter server board used in the Lui models of Valuestar R PCs".

"We look forward to continued collaboration with NEC on next-generation home media server platforms and PCs for today's digital lifestyles".

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