Intel Plans New Intel Atom Processor-based System-on-Chip
Two Intel executives today outlined the latest Intel system-on-chip (SoC) products for embedded applications (codenamed Tunnel Creek) and described new research to allow homes and small businesses to better use and manage energy. The forthcoming SoC product features an Intel Atom processor core that, for the first time, will let other companies create PCI Express-compliant devices that directly connect to the chip, which offers new flexibility for embedded applications.
This SoC for embedded applications, such as in-vehicle-infotainment and IP media phones, will use a standard interconnect to the processor. The highly integrated SoC combines an Intel Atom processor core, the memory controller hub, graphics engine and video engine into one chip.
The chip will also enable companies to connect their own custom-built silicon to the Intel chip as long as it is a PCI Express compliant. The flexibility in this highly integrated one-chip solution helps reduce bill of materials and saves on board real estate for embedded applications.
Following Davis on stage, Intel Chief Technology Officer and managing director of Intel Labs, Justin Rattner, discussed how smarter technology at home and at work can reduce and better manage energy consumption. Rattner said the company's goal is to apply Intel technology in ways that empower consumers and small businesses to make better energy choices.
Researchers at Intel have invented a new wireless device to make the collection of energy data easy and inexpensive for consumers. The experimental, low-cost sensor need only be plugged into the house wiring to instantaneously measure and wirelessly report the power consumption of each electrical load in the home. The technology could be easily deployed by consumers to analyze energy usage of devices and appliances throughout a home.
Rattner also demonstrated a working prototype of an Intel-powered home energy display that when coupled with the wireless energy sensor, would monitor performance, recommend solutions for more efficient usages, set goals, and reward success. The pair of devices forms the heart of a personal energy management system that could help a U.S. household save up to $470 per year in electricity costs. Given that the U.S. has 113 million households, the potential savings is over $50 billion a year. If only one percent of U.S. households were to realize this savings, it could reduce annual coal demands by 371,000 tons and reduce carbon emissions by 2.4 million metric tons, or the equivalent of taking 535,000 cars of the road. Intel's CTO went on to describe how to improve personal energy management of electric cars. He said as the volume of electric cars increase, strain will be placed on the local electric grid at night when most are recharging. Intel Labs is looking at how to better coordinate charging times to reduce peak loads, which would reduce the need to upgrade local electrical distribution facilities and save significant amounts of money.
Source: Intel
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