Intel held a conference call this week to talk about its line of new System
on a Chip (SoC) designs. The branding for the new SoC’s will be Intel EP90579
according to HotHardware. The product line is based on the Intel Pentium
M processor core and integrates a Memory Controller Hub (MCH), I/O Hub (ICH)
and some chips in the line will also get specialized security, data path
acceleration and TDM. The optional services are called Intel Quick Assist
Technology.
Development began on the Intel EP80579 line to get ready for all of the internet-connected
devices that are hitting the market and will be hitting market in the months
and years to come. Intel’s Gadi Singer said, “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 need.”
The big benefits
of the new Intel EP80579 SoC line are small size and low power needs. Intel
says that the SoC will lead to platforms using up to 45% smaller board
footprints and platforms that feature up to 34% lower power dissipation. One of
the biggest benefits is that the new SoC’s run standard x86 architecture which
will make software and applications easier to port to devices using the EP80579.
The different components of the SoC will communicate over an internal front
side bus on the chip that connects the processor core, MCH and ICH. Intel also
says it has developed a high performance bus to connect the security, TDM, and
data path engines to the I/O complex.
Future products in the Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor family will be based
on the Atom
processor.