As Internet access continues to be added to all kinds of computers and devices, Intel executives outlined a plan to use its chip design expertise to "usher in a new category of highly integrated, purpose-built and Web-savvy System on Chip (SoC) designs and products".
The company also unveiled its first eight such products under its Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor family for security, storage, communications, and industrial robotics.
According to Intel, the new SoC chip designs will "offer new levels of performance and energy efficiency versus traditional SoCs, combine multiple functions and will be customized to target the company's traditional computing businesses and several growth areas across Consumer Electronics (CE), Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and embedded markets."
Intel has more than 15 SoC projects planned internally, including the company's first Consumer Electronics (CE) chip codenamed Canmore scheduled for introduction later this year and the second-generation Sodaville next year. In addition, Intel's second-generation embedded product line is scheduled to arrive in 2009, with Intel's next-generation platform for Mobile Internet Devices code-named Moorestown and featuring Lincroft, scheduled for release in 2009/2010. Many of these new products will be based on the Intel Atom processor core. All of these chips will provide increased performance and energy efficiency, along with the ability for customization, leading to faster development schedules and time-to-market delivery for customers while bringing more innovation, choice and lower costs to consumers.
"We're now able to deliver more highly integrated products ranging from industrial robotics and in-car infotainment systems to set-top boxes, MIDs and other devices. By designing more complex systems onto smaller chips, Intel will scale the performance, functionality and software compatibility of IA while controlling the overall power, cost and size requirements to better meet respective market needs," said Gadi Singer, vice president of Intel's Mobility Group and general manager, SoC Enabling Group. "Best of all, customers and consumers will equally benefit."
Four of the eight new smart SoC Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor products include Intel QuickAssist Technology that simplifies the use and deployment of security and packet accelerators in Intel-based computers. Each SoC is based on the Intel Pentium M processor, integrated memory controller hub, and a variety of integrated communications and embedded I/O controllers.
