Editing NXP ColdFire (section)

==Models==
In February 1999, the [[μClinux]] project's [[Linux]] kernel was ported to two ColdFire processors (MCF5206 and MCF5307).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.uclinux.org/oldnews.html | title = uClinux was successfully ported to the Motorola MCF5206 and MCF5307 ColdFire® microprocessor. | publisher = μClinux Embedded Linux/Microcontroller project }}</ref> In 2006, the [[Debian]] project was looking into making its m68k port compatible with the ColdFires,<ref>{{citation | url = http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2006/01/msg00005.html | title = Development announcements | series = Mailing lists | contribution = Preparing the m68k port for the future | publisher = Debian |date=January 2006}}.</ref> as there are ColdFire models that can be clocked as high as 300&nbsp;MHz. This is much faster than the [[68060]], which can officially reach 75&nbsp;MHz<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=MC68060&nodeId=018rH3YTLC4622 | title = MC68060 Product Summary | publisher = Freescale}}</ref> and can be overclocked to 110&nbsp;MHz. [[Stallion Technologies]] ePipe,<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.epipe.com.au | title = ePipe | location = Australia}}</ref> [[Secure Computing]] SnapGear<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.snapgear.com/ | title = SnapGear | access-date = 2009-10-29 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20010621233430/http://www.snapgear.com/ | archive-date = 2001-06-21 | url-status = dead }}</ref> [[security appliance]]s, and [[Arcturus Networks]]'s System on Module products<ref>{{cite web | title = Arcturus ColdFire System on Modules | publisher= Arcturus Networks Inc. | url = https://www.arcturusnetworks.com/products/#General-purpose | location = Canada}}</ref> are based on ColdFire processors. There are ColdFire [[Linux-powered devices|Linux-based]] [[single-board computer]]s (SBC) with [[Ethernet]] and [[CompactFlash]] as small as 23×55&nbsp;mm or 45×45&nbsp;mm<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.dilnetpc.com/dnp0033.htm | title = DilNetPC}}</ref> or based on CompactFlash (37×43&nbsp;mm) itself.<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.cdatas.com/index1.html | title = CDatas}}</ref> ColdFire based products have even been deployed to the [[International Space Station]] as an electronic nose project.<ref>{{cite web | title = JPL ENose project leaves International Space Station | publisher = μClinux Embedded Linux/Microcontroller project | url = http://www.uclinux.org | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061004015712/http://uclinux.org/ | archive-date = 2006-10-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Electronic Nose to Return from Space Station | website=[[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] | url = http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=2309 }}</ref>

There are five generations or versions of the ColdFire available from Freescale:
* v1: Intended to support migration from 8-bit microcontrollers, it 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]] microcontrollers and compete with low-end ARM chips.
* v2: The original ColdFire core launched in 1994. Single-issue pipeline, no MMU, no FPU. Versions are also available with [[Multiply–accumulate|MAC]] and enhanced MAC units.
* 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 [[memory management unit|MMU]], [[floating-point unit|FPU]], and enhanced MAC unit to the architecture.
* v5: Fully superscalar core.

There is also the Fido 1100, a microcontroller launched in 2007 aimed at predictable embedded control systems such as [[Industrial Ethernet]] applications using the 68k/CPU32 instruction set. However, Fido has its own unique architecture and shares the instruction set with 68k only.<ref>{{cite web
 | title = fido Architecture
 | publisher = Innovasic Semiconductor
 | url = http://www.innovasic.com/index.php?page=fido-architecture
 | access-date = 2009-08-25}}</ref>

In November 2006, Freescale announced that ColdFire microprocessor cores were available for license as semiconductor Intellectual Property through their IP licensing and support partner IPextreme Inc.<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Freescale opens ColdFire to OEM licensing
 | publisher = EETimes
 | date = November 13, 2006
 | url = http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193600746
 | access-date = 2009-07-27}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
 | title = Freescale, Cypress to license key IP
 | publisher = EDN
 | date = November 21, 2006
 | url = http://www.edn.com/article/CA6393624.html
 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130122044117/http://www.edn.com/article/CA6393624.html
 | url-status = dead
 | archive-date = January 22, 2013
 | access-date = 2009-07-27
 }}</ref> ColdFire v1 core is now available under Free license (and no per use royalty) for [[Altera]] Cyclone-III FPGA's.<ref>{{cite web
 | title =  IPextreme Delivers Free ColdFire Processor for Altera Cyclone III FPGA
 | publisher = designreuse
 | date = October 21, 2008
 | url = http://www.design-reuse.com/news/19363/coldfire-processor-altera-cyclone-iii.html
 | access-date = 2009-07-27}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
 | title =   Freescale's V1 ColdFire offering for Altera Cyclone III FPGA
 | publisher = freescale
 | url = http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?code=CFV1FPGA}}
</ref>

In September 2007, Freescale launched the 32-bit Flexis microcontroller family with a ColdFire CPU core.<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=MCF51JE | title = MCF51JE: Flexis 32-bit ColdFire V1 Microcontrollers | publisher = Freescale}}.</ref>

In June 2010, Freescale announced the ColdFire+ line, which is a ColdFire V1 core using a 90&nbsp;nm TFS technology.<ref>{{cite web
 | title =  ColdFire+ Microcontrollers
 | publisher = designreuse
 | date = February 4, 2011
 | url = http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/homepage.jsp?code=CFPLUS
 | access-date = 2011-02-04}}
</ref>

In 2010, Freescale also launched Kinetis, an [[ARM architecture|ARM]]-based product line, leading some industry observers<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/brians-brain/4310712/Freescale-s-ARM-based-Kinetis-Is-Released-Did-ColdFire-Just-Get-Deep-Freezed- | title = Freescale's ARM-based Kinetis Is Released: Did ColdFire Just Get Deep-Freezed? | publisher = EDN}}</ref> to speculate about the future of the ColdFire range, given that Freescale would have several competing CPU ranges.