x86 Processor Endgame

ARM CEO lays into Intel's Medfield

2012-01-16T11:29:27Z

One from David Manners' Mannerisms blog:

Intel's Medfield chip-set aimed at getting the company into smartphones has been dissed by ARM CEO Warren East.

"Are they ever going to be the leaders in power efficiency? No, of course not," East told Reuters at CES.

"It's inevitable Intel will get a few smartphone design wins," added East.

]]> Getting up close and personal, East added: "They have taken some designs that were never meant for mobile phones and they've literally wrenched those designs and put them into a power-performance space which is roughly good enough for mobile phones."

Intel reckons Medfield will get it into smartphones and tablets.

Qualcomm says its ARM-based Snapdragon S4 has won 70 non-handset design wins at 20 manufacturers.

Battle has been joined.
Read the original post >>

Intel Medfield finds home in Motorola and Lenovo smartphones

2012-01-13T17:26:38Z

One to note for the future, perhaps, regarding the recent CES and the mobile-oriented Medfield chip - a flag-in-the-sand for Intel's low-power, battery-life friendly processor that will aim take on ARM in the embedded space.

At CES, Intel has announced that its new processor will be used by Motorola Mobility and Lenovo in upcoming Android-based smartphones, reports the BBC.

]]> The Motorola partnership is significant as Android's maker, Google, is in the process of taking over the phone maker. This launch marks Intel's second attempt to get Atom-based chips used in smartphones.

LG unveiled a previous tie-up at CES in 2010, but the handset never went into production. This time Intel has announced rough shipping dates for the new devices.

It said Lenovo would launch a Medfield-based phone in China before July, while Motorola would sell its first handset in the second half of the year with others devices to follow. Read the full BBC article >>

ARM modules need new form factor, say embedded firms

2011-12-13T16:40:36Z

ARM processor-based embedded module designs need a new interface standard, says supplier Kontron.

"Current COM standards do not address the needs of ARM/RISC specific designs," said Dirk Finstel, CTO at Kontron.

Konton is proposing a Computer-on-Module (COM) standard that is optiomised for ARM-based designs.
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"This limitation in existing COM standards makes our case that there is a need for a new form factor now," said Finstel.

The COM form factr Kontorn has created is based on a 314-pin MXM 3.0 connector that allows for a total package height of less than 5mm for both module and carrier.
Two module sizes are specified: a very compact "short" module measuring just 82 mm x 50 mm and a "full size" module measuring 82 mm x 80 mm.

The defined pin-out will be able to support both traditional features such as 24-bit RGB, and will be future proof by supporting more modern standards such as LVDS, HDMI and DisplayPort. Power consumption of these ARM/RISC solutions will be on the order of 3W.

Adlink Technology has announced that it will support the new COM standard for ARM-based embedded designs.

"Embedded technology has always leveraged parts that have been deployed on a large scale in the commercial field," said Henk van Bremen, Product Director for Embedded Computing at Adlink Technology.

"For the first time, embedded customers will have the same wide choice of operating systems on ARM as on x86, enabling efficient implementations of new and complementary embedded applications based on ultra low-power devices, that were not possible with x86 based platforms," said van Bremen.

The first Kontron ARM-based module early field testing platforms will be available in Q1 2012.

"We have been very successful with embedded form factor standardisation and particularly with ETX and COM Express standards," said Finstel of Kontron.

"It is exciting to be able to enter the previously proprietary ARM market with a standardisation initiative for COTS products," said van Bremen at Adlink Technology.

Adlink said it will offer a range of OS support including: Linux, Android, Windows CE, Windows 8, VxWorks and QNX.

Adlink hopes to present early concept models around the end of February 2012, during Embedded World in Nuremberg.

Richard Wilson

ARM becomes processor of choice for embedded modules

2011-11-25T09:44:52Z

Congatec, a major user of x86-based processors from Intel and AMD in its modules, says it now plans to increasingly use ARM technology. It is the latest embedded computer module firm to increase its dependence on ARM processors, writes Richard Wilson.

As a result it will use Freescale's ARM-based i.MX portfolio of products. As a first step congatec is expanding its Qseven product family with Freescale processors.

Embedded computer module suppliers Kontron and MSC already have ARM-based products. ]]>
The COM concept integrates all generally available interfaces onto the computer module itself while any special interfaces are implemented on individually-tailored carrier boards.

In contrast, the majority of existing ARM processors come with specialised interfaces designed to suit dedicated applications.

"These cannot be used by COMs in a standard format and are therefore neither interchangeable nor scalable. However, the new generation of ARM processors focuses on standard PC interfaces such as USB and PCI Express and will therefore be ideally suited to COMs," said congatec.

The Qseven specification was updated in September 2010 (Revision 1.20) to enable the development of 100% compatible ARM-based modules.

"In Freescale, we have found a reliable partner with whom we will be able to meet the requirements of our customers with regard to operating system support and long-term availability," said Gerhard Edi, CEO of congatec AG.

According to Henri Richard, senior v-p of sales and marketing for Freescale: "Our next generation i.MX products will be introduced into applications more quickly and easily thanks to congatec's Qseven modules."

The first products resulting from the Freescale collaboration are expected to be available by the middle of 2012.

Intel version of Android to compete with ARM on Atoms

2011-09-14T15:21:02Z

A cross-fertilisation of blogs... but this post has run on the Eyes on Android blog, ragerding Intel taking on ARM via a customised version of Android...

This one caught my eye on SlashGear. It seems Intel is looking to get a custom version of Android Gingerbread in order to support tablet builders looking to run with its Atom E series of processors.

According to SlashGear it would better enable Intel to compete against the likes of ARM in the mobile space where power consumption, and hence battery life, is all important.

The story originates from Carrypad.com. According to "Chippy": ]]> After querying the reason myself, it seems clear now that this could be an open source version of Gingerbread for Atom that third parties can use in their products. This brings the possibility of Oaktrail tablets that run a nicely optimised and extended battery life Android OS.He points out that, according to the video below, Gingerbread will be coming to Atom E series in 2012:

The E-series CPUs are media and embedded focused but the build should apply to Menlow, Oaktrail, Moorestown and possibly even Cedar Trail.

ARM invading Intel x86 home turf - IC Insights

2011-08-26T13:21:37Z

ARM is 'invading the x86 MPU home turf' and is threatening Intel in PCs, desktop systems and servers, says Arizona analyst IC Insights, writes David Manners.

"The spread of ARM-based processors threatens to go beyond tablet computers and invade the x86 MPU turf in mainstream home PCs, desktop systems, and even network servers," says Bill McLean, CEO of IC Insights.

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ARM processors were used in over 90% of the 17m tablets sold by all systems suppliers in 2010, and nearly that same share is expected in 2011.

IC Insights reckons that the IC market will top $300bn for the first time in 2013.

The IC market topped $10bn in 1980, reached $100bn in 1995 and hit $200bn in 2005.

It took 15 years for the market to grow from $10bn to $100bn, 10 years to double in size to $200bn, and will take eight years to increase another $100bn to reach $300bn.

2011 units are forecast to top 200bn for the first time. Shipments of analogue devices are forecast to surpass 100bn and, for the first time, account for over half the market.

MOS memory is forecast to have the strongest market CAGR of all the major product categories during the 2008-2015 time period, with average annual growth of 12%.

Over the same period, NAND flash memory is forecast to have 20% CAGR.

Rising demand for tablet PCs, smartphones, and solid-state drives will drive increasing sales of NAND flash through 2015.

Total smartphone shipments are forecast to grow 60% in 2011 to 440m units, after increasing 56% to 275 million in 2010.

Between 1Q10 and 4Q11, quarterly smartphone shipments are expected to rise by an average of 13% per quarter. This is significant because smartphones contain as much as 9x more NAND flash than a basic or enhanced cellphone.

Read the full article >>

AMD and Tablets...

2011-08-08T07:36:53Z

One leading processor company that has been absent from recent Android talk is AMD... A senior executive has admitted that it has left the smartphone processor space to the likes of Intel and AMD. It seems AMD believes the company's strengths in graphics 'don't lend themselves to the handset segment,' reports PC World. Instead, it is Tablets that may attract them...

SVP and product group manager Rick Bergman has been talking at the Pacific Crest Securities Technology Leadership Forum in Vail, Colorado

Agam Shah writes:]]> Smartphones are constrained on battery, pixels and screen space, and AMD has other areas it can focus on in order to grow, said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager for AMD's product group during the Pacific Crest Securities Technology Leadership Forum in Vail, Colorado. The company sees an opportunity to apply its graphics and chip technologies to tablets, where customers are demanding better video and battery life.

"We haven't announced any plans to go in that handheld space. We've got plenty of opportunities... in server, notebook and now tablets, that's our immediate focus. But if the right circumstances come up and we can see a way to impact the market, we'll obviously continue to look," Bergman said.For the record, AMD revealed its Z-Series chips for Tablets in June, aka AMD Accelerated Processors for HD Tablets. The series is to start with the low power chip called the AMD Z-01. With a dual-core X86 architecture, it features a 1 GHz dual core CPU and Radeon HD 6250 graphics, reported Liliputing, with support for hardware accelerated 3D graphics and 1080p HD video playback.

[Via Slashgear]

25% of notebooks to be ARM-based in 2015

2011-07-20T09:52:48Z

According to analysts iSuppli, a quarter of all notebook PCs sold in 2015 will have ARM processors, writes David Manners.

"Starting in 1981, when IBM first created its original PC based on Intel's 8088 microprocessor, the X86 architecture has dominated the PC market," says iSuppli's Matthew Wilkins, "over the next generation, billions of PCs were shipped based on X86 microprocessors supplied by Intel and assorted rivals--mainly Advanced Micro Devices Inc. However, the days of X86's unchallenged domination are coming to an end as Windows 8 opens the door for the use of the ARM processor, which already has achieved enormous popularity in the mobile phone and tablet worlds."

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ARM during the next few years is expected to achieve its biggest successes in the value notebook segment.

Typically priced at less than $700, value notebooks are designed to deliver the optimal price/performance to consumers. A category that includes netbooks, value notebooks most frequently employ AMD's E Series and Intel's Celeron M and Atom microprocessors.

Read the full article >>

Intel rejects ARM but chases low-power

2011-05-18T11:02:53Z

Intel is chasing low-power. As the archetypal chaser of speed, this transformation is not unlike a Frenchman saying he's a one-woman guy.

Intel CEO Paul Otellini made it official at an investor conference this week, saying that Intel will aim for a mid-point power consumption of 15W for laptop ICs compared to today's 35W.

Otellin slapped down any suggestions Intel will make ARM architecture processors. It is relying for low-power on its move to Finfets at 22nm.

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Intel said that Windows 8, which will run on ARM as well as Intel processors, will run better on x86 because Intel has a team at Microsoft 'working deep within the OS' to facilitate new features, and because on Intel the applications will be backwards compatible.

While Intel does not make any money from tablet or mobile phone ICs, Otellini says the company makes money from their explosive growth because it sells chips to server manufacturers and one new server has to be installed for every 600 smartphones or 122 tablets.

Otellini said Intel was working on re-inventing the Pc - but many would say that's already been done - it's called iPad.

David Manners

Otellini confirms Android Honeycomb-on-x86 port

2011-04-20T15:38:21Z

A bit of Android news emerging from the Intel quarterly results announcements. SlashGear reports:

Intel has confirmed that it has received the Android 3.0 Honeycomb code from Google, and that it is "actively" working on porting the tablet-centric platform to run on x86 chips like its Atom processors. Revealed during Intel's glowing Q1 financial results call, president and CEO Paul Otellini said that the company was working with "first-tier notebook vendors" on Android tablets using Intel processors. Leaks back in March suggested Intel was readying as many as eight Android-on-x86 devices for demonstration at IDF Beijing this month.

Read the full article >>

Also, see more here, on Engadget >>

Intel could match ARM for power this year

2011-04-20T14:10:24Z

Intel is nudging closer to mobile device power levels with this new Atom processor, writes Richard Wilson, editor of Electronics Weekly.

Fabbed on a 45nm process the Z670 processor comes with a 3W power tag. This is a big improvement on earlier Atom processors and moves the mobile processor into ARM territory.

The N450 Atom runs off 6.5W while the dual core N550 Atom runs off 8.5W.

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Intel's big rival in the mobile space, the ARM Cortex-A9 processor fabbed on a 40nm process are specified at between 2W and 05W per core depending whether they are running at 2GHz or 800MHz.

The Z670m Atom processor running at 1.66GHz is specified at a 3W power consumption.

The power difference could get smaller over the next 12 months. A 32nm Atom processor, codenamed Cedar Trail, will follow before the end of the year and a 22nm Atom chip is in the pipeline for launch next year.

"We are accelerating the Intel Atom product line to now move faster than Moore's law, bringing new products to market on three process technologies in the next 3 years," said Doug Davis, v-p and general manager of the netbook and tablet group at Intel.

Moore's Law, formulated by Intel founder Gordon Moore, assumes that the number of transistors on a chip doubles approximately every two years.

The 45nm chip, the Z670 Atom processor, previously dubbed Oak Trail, is shipping and will be in its first tablet PCs from Fujitsu and Lenovo by the summer.

The 1.5GHz single core processor will run the full range of mobile operating systems, including Google Android, MeeGo and Windows.

There is 512kbyte of on-chip cache and the processor includes support for 1080p video decode, as well as HDMI. It also supports Adobe Flash.

There are design changes to reduce power consumption these include an enhanced sleep mode to save power during periods of inactivity.

According to Intel, the HD decode engine supports 1080p HD video playback without a big power penalty.

Read the full article >>

Intel aims Oak Trail Atom chipset at tablet market

2011-04-18T14:06:04Z

Intel is introducing a next generation Atom processors, previously codenamed Oak Trail, aimed at the tablet market, writes Jenny Williams of Computer Weekly.

The Oak Trail silicon platform supports tablet operating systems, including Windows 7, MeeGo, Android Honeycomb and Google Android. Intel says its architecture combines Intel's Atom Z670 with the Intel SM35 express chipset to reduce power consumption and improve performance.

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Kevin O'Donovan admits Intel faces tough competitive from the likes of ARM. He said: "If we have the most performance, energy efficient and wireless security to allow the fastest time to market, that's a compelling proposition regardless of ecosystem."

Intel has confirmed it will extend its system-on-a-chip (SoC) features by 2013 to include greater energy efficiency, wireless functionality and end-to-end security features following from the acquisition of McAfee.

Read the full article >>

AMD embeds x86 ecosystem against ARM

2011-03-31T12:48:14Z

AMD is positioning its x86 processors in the embedded board market, with an design ecosystem similar to that of ARM, writes Richard Wilson.

AMD's main interest in the embedded processor market centres a round its Fusion devices and the low power Geode LX800 processor.

The LX800 is used in Kontron's latest Pico-ITX single board computer, the KTLX800/pITX.

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The board firm sees the general availability of software for the x86 ecosystem as a big plus for many embedded applications.

The KTLX800/pITX comes with up to 1Gbyte of DDR RAM system memory. Its interfaces range from one 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet and four USB 2.0 through two serial RS232 serial connectors (interfaces that continue to be key for industrial applications) to 16 configurable GPIOs for implementing application-specific I/Os.

As a x86 board there is obviously support for Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, Windows Embedded Standard 7, but also Linux.

AMD's other embedded processor is Fusion which has been designed into ETX and XTX COM systems.

Read the full article >>

Amino Communications puts MeeGo into set-top boxes

2011-01-06T11:28:06Z

Amino Communications is to launch an "add-on" set-top box to add new functions to existing pay-TV services, writes editor Richard Wilson.

Based on the Cambridge-based company's Freedom media centre, the Freedom Jump is powered by the Intel Atom processor CE4100 and the MeeGo Linux operating system for TV. ]]>
"There is a real gap in the market for a powerful low cost device that works with - rather than competes against - operators' existing pay-TV devices," said Amino CEO Andrew Burke.

The box will support common Internet formats such as Adobe Flash together with high definition 1080p capability.

Intel and Nokia collaborated last February to merge their respective mobile Linux platforms, into MeeGo. They are also working together to create a new mobile device development laboratory, with 3D graphics as the first project to tackle.

"New applications and video services require high processor performance and an open operating environment," said Keith Wehmeyer, general manager, IPTV Segment, Intel Digital Home Group.

Read the full article >>

Intel's Sandy Bridge to see the light at CES

2011-01-05T11:23:12Z

Intel will debut its second-generation core processor family, code-named "Sandy Bridge", at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas tomorrow, writes Jenny Williams of our sister title Computer Weekly.

Extending chip performance and battery life, the new core i3, i5 and i7 processors are based on Intel's "visibly smart" micro-architecture. A built-in processor graphics engine shares cache and memory with the processor's core to increase computing and graphics performance while maintaining energy efficiency, said the company. ]]>
"Our vision is to create a continuum of personal computing that provides consistency and interoperability across all internet-connected devices in the home, car, office or in your pocket," added Otellini.

Ron Friedman, vice-president and general manager of Intel's microprocessor and chipset development group, said in a blog post: "As we integrated the graphics and the Intel Architecture on the same die, we had to figure out ways to validate the interactions between the compute core and the graphics - interactions that didn't exist before, because they had been on two separate dies."

Read the full article >>