Targeting communication-equipment and embedded-systems markets, Intel announced at Computex its new validated platforms for market segments such as wireless infrastructure, routing, security and industrial control applications. The platforms consist of a processor, the Pentium M or Celeron M made on 90nm technology, and a chipset, the Intel E7250 (validated with Xeon processors before) or new Intel E7320. There are currently five processors suited for the validated platforms: Pentium M 760 (2GHz core frequency), Pentium M 745 (1.8GHz), Pentium M Ultra Low Voltage 738 (1.4GHz), Celeron M 370 (1.5GHz) and Celeron M Ultra Low Voltage 373 (1GHz).
Except for the new E7320 chipset, Intel previously shipped all the mentioned products as separate components, but now they form complete solution, the company said. Steve Price, marketing director of Intel’s infrastructure processor division, named two Taiwan-based companies, Ibase Technology and Protech Systems, as partners implementing new validated platforms in their solutions. At Computex, both Ibase and Protech launched their motherboards, PMB-551 and MB895 respectively, using the Intel E7520 chipset.
Intel said that soldering processor into motherboard is not a strict requirement for applying the new validated platforms, but many customers do that to benefit from fanless design. This is especially important for miniature motherboards utilizing form factors such as Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) or just introduced specification called Embedded Compact Form Factor.
Memory controller hubs (MCHs) of the E7520 and E7320 chipsets support dual-channel DDR2 memory. The E7520 has three configurable PCIe x8 connection, while the E7320 provides one. Both of the chipsets include Intel 6300ESB I/O controller hub (ICH). Replying to the viewpoint that solution can be too expensive for typical embedded applications, such as point-of-sale (POS) equipment, Intel said the new platforms will first target communication devices.
Pricing details about the new platforms were not disclosed, but Intel said this information would be available from distributors. Next month, Intel will release a development kit for solutions incorporating the Pentium processor and the E7520 chipset, the company said.
Article edited by Vyacheslav Sobolev
