Intel added three recently introduced chips to its embedded processor lineup this week. The three include two in the Pentium family — the Pentium M processor 745 (formerly code named “Dothan”), and the Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Intel Celeron M processor — plus one in the XScale family, the PXA270. According to Intel, the new processors are among the highest-performing processors available for embedded applications, and feature Intel's SpeedStep technology which enables significant power savings by intelligently managing voltage and frequency changes.

The Pentium processors were introduced for the general computing markets about three weeks ago. (For example Dothan targets mobile/laptop personal computers.) The main purpose of this week's embedded announcement is to announce support for the processors in the embedded market, an Intel spokesperson said.

To be released by Intel for the embedded market, all the processors had to go through additional validation tests, according to the spokesperson. “Years ago there was a bigger lag between our processors' availability for the compute markets and the embedded markets. Now it's within a few weeks,” the spokesperson said.

Pentium M and Celeron M

The Pentium M 745 or Dothan chip is a 90nm die-shrink of the previous Banias Pentium M, with 170 million transistors instead of 70 million. It includes 2MB of on-chip cache, for a clained 17 percent speedup, along with heat dissipation 3.5 watts lower. It supports clock rates of up to 1.8GHz.

The ULV Intel Celeron M processor offers the lowest power consumption available among Intel Celeron M processors, according to Intel. When run at a 600 MHz clock rate, the processor is ideal for use in small form-factor fanless embedded designs, Intel says.

Both the Intel Pentium M 745 and Intel Celeron M processors offer socket-level compatibility with each other and with the previous generation of processors.

XScale

Available in speeds of 312MHz, 416 MHz, and 520 MHz, the new PXA270 XScale processor features several new technologies aimed at graphics-rich applications such as personal media players, navigation devices, and handheld POS terminals, Intel says. In particular, the PXA270 is the first embedded communications processor to integrate Intel's “Wireless MMX” technology, which enhances performance for 3-D games and advanced video while improving battery-life, according to Intel. Additionally, the PXA270 features Intel's “Quick Capture” technology which is said to support full motion video and cameras delivering up to four megapixels of image quality.

The PXA270 is available in two package types: a 0.5mm ball pitch package for small form-factors; and a 1.0mm ball pitch package for lower-cost board manufacturing.

Pricing and availability

The 1.8GHz Intel Pentium M processor has has a suggested list price of $415 (10K units). 600MHz ULV Intel Celeron M processor has a suggested list price of $127 (10K units). Both are shipping today.

The 312MHz Intel PXA270 processor for embedded computing is available in sample quantities today, with volume production planned for next quarter. Pricing is $32 (10K units).

 
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