Intel Readies First Configurable Atom-Based Processor

To meet customers continually evolving needs, Intel Corp. has readied a configurable processor that can be easily modified for a variety of market segments, including industrial machines and portable medical equipments. Labeled E600C series the semiconductor giant has paired Atom E600 processor (formerly codenamed “Tunnel Creek”) with an Altera field programmable gate-array (FPGA) in a single package.

Intel (News - Alert) said that the new configurable Intel Atom processor provides greater flexibility and faster time-to-market for customers, who can now more readily handle design changes without complicated hardware changes – helping to lower development costs. In addition, added Intel, the new processor offers board space savings and better inventory control due to the single package, as well as a simplified manufacturing flow and single vendor support through Intel.

“Our new configurable Atom series will help them differentiate and compete in the markets they serve,” said Doug Davis, Intel vice president, general manager, Embedded and Communications Group, in a statement.

Based on Intel architecture, the Intel Atom E600C processor series provides original equipment manufacturers with the flexibility to incorporate a wide range of standard and user-defined I/O interfaces, high-speed connectivity, memory interfaces and process acceleration to meet the evolving needs of embedded device market segments.

The Atom E600C processor series comes with Intel’s extended 7-year-long life-cycle manufacturing support, and industrial and commercial temperature options, which makes it ideal for market segments such as industrial machines, portable medical equipment, communications gear, vision systems, voice over Internet protocol devices, high-performance programmable logic controllers and embedded computers.

Kontron (News - Alert), a leading embedded computing technology solutions manufacturer, has Atom processor E600C-based prototype boards available now, with full production beginning in the second quarter of 2011.

Formerly codenamed “Stellarton,” the Intel Atom based configurable processors E665CT, E645CT, E665C, and E645C are scheduled to be available within 60 days. The E625CT and E625C are on track to be available in the first quarter of 2011. Prices range from $61 to $106 in quantities of 1,000.

In this series, the high–end configurable processor E665CT uses a 1.3 GHz Atom with a 400 MHz graphics controller consuming 3.6 W and costing $106. The low-end E625C runs at 600 MHz with a 320 MHz graphics controller, and consumes 2.7 W. It costs $61. While the Altera (News - Alert) FPGA inside the 37.5 mm x 37.5 mm FC-BGA package uses more than 60,000 logic elements and six high-speed transceivers.