# Freescale Semiconductor > American company **Wikidata**: [Q863675](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q863675) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freescale_Semiconductor) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/freescale-semiconductor ## Summary Freescale Semiconductor was an American public company and integrated device manufacturer that designed, manufactured, and sold its own semiconductor products, including microcontrollers and system-on-chip solutions. It was known for developing embedded processing technologies used in a wide range of industries. The company was headquartered in Austin, Texas, and operated from 2004 until its acquisition in 2015. ## Key Facts - Freescale Semiconductor was founded in 2004. - The company was headquartered in Austin, Texas, United States. - Freescale was acquired by NXP Semiconductors in December 2015. - At the time of dissolution, it employed approximately 21,500 people. - Freescale developed several notable microcontroller families, including: - 68HC05 (8-bit) - 68HC08 (8-bit) - 68HC11 (8-bit, inception: 1984) - 68HC12 (16-bit) - Freescale 683XX series - Freescale DragonBall family - i.MX family (system-on-chip) - Freescale also developed the RAD5500, a radiation-hardened computer. - The company created the Motorola 56000 family of digital signal processors. - Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. is an alias for the entity. - Official website: http://www.freescale.com - Sitelink count: 30 - Industry classification: Integrated Device Manufacturer - Country of origin: United States ## FAQs **What was Freescale Semiconductor?** Freescale Semiconductor was an American integrated device manufacturer that specialized in designing and manufacturing semiconductors such as microcontrollers and system-on-chip solutions. It was a spin-off from Motorola's semiconductor division in 2004. **When was Freescale founded and when did it cease operations?** Freescale was incorporated in 2004 and officially dissolved on December 7, 2015, following its acquisition by NXP Semiconductors. **Who owned or acquired Freescale Semiconductor?** Freescale Semiconductor was acquired by NXP Semiconductors, a Dutch electronics company founded in 1953 and headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands. **What products did Freescale develop?** Freescale developed a wide range of semiconductor products including the i.MX family of system-on-chip processors, the 68HC05, 68HC08, 68HC11, and 68HC12 microcontroller series, the DragonBall family, and the Motorola 56000 digital signal processors. It also created the RAD5500, a radiation-hardened computer. **Where was Freescale Semiconductor based?** Freescale was headquartered in Austin, Texas, United States. **Who were notable figures associated with Freescale?** Lisa Su, an American business executive and electrical engineer, was affiliated with Freescale Semiconductor. ## Why It Matters Freescale Semiconductor played a critical role in the development and deployment of embedded processing technologies across multiple industries, including automotive, industrial, consumer electronics, and aerospace. As a spin-off from Motorola, it carried forward decades of semiconductor innovation and contributed significantly to the evolution of microcontroller and system-on-chip architectures. Its technologies powered a wide array of devices, from handheld electronics to automotive systems, and its acquisition by NXP marked a pivotal consolidation in the semiconductor industry. Freescale’s legacy continues through NXP’s product lines and ongoing innovations in embedded systems. ## Notable For - Developing the i.MX family of system-on-chip processors, widely used in embedded applications. - Creating the 68HC11 microcontroller series, which became a standard in embedded systems education and development. - Being a leading integrated device manufacturer with a strong focus on embedded processing. - Pioneering radiation-hardened computing solutions with the RAD5500. - Being spun off from Motorola, inheriting a rich legacy in semiconductor innovation. - Producing the DragonBall family of processors, historically significant in early handheld computing. - Manufacturing a broad portfolio of 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit microcontrollers used globally. ## Body ### History Freescale Semiconductor was established in 2004 as a spin-off from Motorola's semiconductor division. It operated as an independent public company until its acquisition by NXP Semiconductors in December 2015. During its operational lifespan, Freescale became a major player in the global semiconductor industry, focusing on embedded processing solutions. The company was headquartered in Austin, Texas, United States, and employed approximately 21,500 people at the time of its dissolution. ### Products and Technologies Freescale Semiconductor developed a wide range of semiconductor products tailored for embedded systems. These included microcontrollers, digital signal processors, and system-on-chip architectures that were widely adopted across industries such as automotive, industrial automation, and consumer electronics. #### Microcontrollers - **68HC05**: A series of 8-bit microcontrollers. - **68HC08**: Another series of 8-bit microcontrollers. - **68HC11**: A series of 8-bit microcontrollers launched in 1984. - **68HC12**: A series of 16-bit microcontrollers. - **Freescale 683XX**: A series of microcontrollers. - **Freescale DragonBall**: A family of microprocessors/microcontrollers historically used in handheld devices. #### System-on-Chip - **i.MX**: A family of proprietary system-on-chip solutions developed by Freescale, later continued under NXP. #### Digital Signal Processors - **Motorola 56000**: A family of digital signal processors developed under the Motorola brand, continued by Freescale. #### Specialized Systems - **RAD5500**: A radiation-hardened computer designed for use in aerospace and defense applications. ### Ownership and Acquisition In 2015, Freescale Semiconductor was acquired by NXP Semiconductors, a Dutch company founded in 1953 and headquartered in Eindhoven. This acquisition was finalized on December 7, 2015, effectively dissolving Freescale as an independent entity and integrating its operations into NXP’s portfolio. ### Affiliations and Notable Figures Freescale was associated with several key individuals in the semiconductor and technology sectors. One such figure is Lisa Su, an American business executive and electrical engineer, who had professional ties to the company. ### Legacy and Impact Freescale Semiconductor left a significant mark on the semiconductor industry by advancing embedded processing technologies and maintaining a strong portfolio of microcontroller and system-on-chip solutions. Its products laid the groundwork for innovations in automotive systems, consumer electronics, and industrial automation. The company’s technologies continue to influence the semiconductor market through NXP’s ongoing development and integration of Freescale’s legacy products. ## References 1. Global LEI Index 2. Open ISNI for Organizations 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. [Source](https://www.elektroniknet.de/halbleiter/reza-kazerounian-von-freescale.31072.html) 5. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/) 6. GRID Release 2017-04-04 7. Quora 8. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions 9. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Freescale_Semiconductor-3J5NJ)