Intel Unveils Atom Chips for Mobile Devices

Intel announced four unique versions of the Atom processor that will be used for in-car infotainment devices, media phones, eco-technologies, and also industrial strength applications. Intel Atom, branded for both 32-bit and 64-bit applications, previously code-named Silverthorne and Diamondville processors, was designed using the 45nm fabrication process. Intel Atom can execute up to two instructions per cycle. The performance of a single core Atom is equal to around half that offered by an equivalent Pentium M processor.

"With the addition of these new products, we can bring the benefits of Intel processors to new applications, devices and customers who develop products used in unconstrained thermal environments with low-power in mind," said Doug Davis, vice president, Digital Enterprise Group and general manager, Embedded and Communications Group, Intel. "Meeting the needs of embedded environments and new market segments will play a large role in delivering the connectivity and functionality necessary as the number of devices connecting to the embedded Internet is expected to grow to an estimated 15 billion devices by 2015," Davis added, citing a January report by IDCs John Gantz titled "The Embedded Internet: Methodology and Findings."

The Intel Atom processor is the companys smallest built with the worlds smallest and most energy-efficient transistors. Intels 30-year-old embedded computing division focuses on machines, devices and equipment that have computing and Internet capabilities but are not traditional PCs, laptops or servers. Intel offers an extended 7-year lifecycle for those areas that require longer product refresh cycles such as IVI.

"Intel is well known for innovation and were excited to see them introducing new low-power consumption Intel Atom processors targeted for in-vehicle systems," said Greg Baribault, director of product management for the Automotive Business Unit at Microsoft*. "Intel Atom processors and the Microsoft Auto software platform will provide scalability for the new era of advanced in-vehicle solutions."

In addition to in-car applications, the Intel Atom Z5xx processor series also targets an emerging category of Internet-based communications devices Intel calls "media phones." The package size and power envelope of the Intel Atom Z5xx series are ideal for the media phone, which provides communications services over IP and easy, one-touch access to lifestyle applications such as e-mail, text messaging, weather information, YouTube*, horoscopes and digital photo albums.

To help accelerate this emerging device category, Intel today introduced an Intel Media Phone Reference Design that will facilitate development of hardware solutions to market. The hardware development platform includes schematics and validated software stacks.

The next generation of the Atom, "Lincroft," architecture will be launched in the second half of 2009 and is code-named Pineview. The new CPU will be used mostly in Netbook systems, and feature a system-on-chip (SOC) with an integrated single-channel DDR2 memory controller and an integrated graphics core. It will be avaliable in both single and dual-core version and will feature HyperThreading and be manufactured using the 45nm or 32nm process.

More Information: Intel.com