News

posted on 24 July 2008 07:51

Intel has developed a 'system- on-a-chip' (SOC) targeted at storage and other embedded applications.

The EP80579 Integrated Processor, code-named Tolapai, has an Pentium M x86 CPU, I/O controller, memory controller and an acceleration unit included in one chip. Intel is pitching it at storage, print/imaging, networking, aerospace, IP telephony and security applications. An OEM would add firmware to the chip as part of building their product. The design is modular so that components can be used or not.

SOC's reduce the amount of board real estate taken up because they replace what were previously separate components. Intel reckons there is a chip footprint size reduction of up to 45 percent, plus a power consumption reduction of up to 30 percent. Intel says OEMs can develop new products faster with its SOC product and the supporting technologies that are available.

Rose Schooler, Embedded Performance Products Division general manager at Intel, said: "The Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor product line is a big leap in architectural design providing excellent performance-per-watt for small form factor communications and embedded applications."

Next-generation Intel SOCs are expected to use its low-power Atom CPU architecture technology. Tolapai runs in the 11 - 21 watt range.

Intel used to have SOC designs in its XScale technology, licensed from the UK's successful intelligent hand-held device CPU design supplier, ARM. It seems clear that Intel is setting itself up to compete more aggressively with ARM. However ARM chips need less than 2 watts so the Tolapai products look like watt guzzlers in comparison.

Atom should narrow the gap but post-Atom technology generation will be needed to narrow it again.

^{[Martin Edwards, news writer.]}