What embedded designers had long hoped for is now here: a low-power, high-perfor-mance, Intel® architecture (IA) platform with a thermal design power specification (TDP)1

of less than 5 watts (W) that’s powerful enough to run common embedded operating systems. With TDP of just 2.0W (versus 35 watts for a typical laptop), the Intel® Atom™ processors Z530Δ and Z510Δ are bringing IA to places it’s never been before. Embed-ded designers are rethinking how far they can push designs by extending the benefits of IA to meet the demanding requirements of new embedded applications. Intel’s smallest and lowest power proces-sors,2 the Intel® Atom™ processor Z530 and Z510, fill an important gap in the Intel® processor line. Now embedded designers have a processor series that can make it easy to create small-form-factor IA-based product derivatives that can use the same software as their bigger brothers and sisters. New power-efficient devices with excel-lent performance, including many handheld mobile devices, are rapidly being developed

using the Intel Atom processor for a wide range of markets and usage models. These markets include: medical, gaming, point of sale (POS), digital signage, infotainment, transportation, agriculture, military, industri-al automation, security, and many more. Any embedded designer not thinking cool with IA may now be missing something truly hot.

A New Niche for Intel ProcessorsWhy are embedded designers so excited? Because the Intel Atom processor is a different kind of embedded processor. Based on an entirely new microarchitec-ture and enabled by Intel’s hafnium-infused 45nm high-k dielectric silicon technology, the Intel Atom processor is specifically designed for targeted performance and low power while maintaining full Intel® Core™ microarchitecture instruction set compatibility. This last point is really important. It means developers can use the same compilers and other software development tools they already use for software develop-ment with other Intel® products. It also

Rethink Cool

What would you do with a TDP of less than 5 watts?†

means strong support from the Intel® eco-system and all its resources. For many applications, this IA compat-ibility is game-changing. Take industrial automation. From the supervisory level to the factory floor, there are at least three levels of computing. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) using proprietary operating systems have typically required special attention. Now PLCs using the In-tel Atom processor are becoming available and instead of having to write software for a multitude of incompatible architectures, developers can just write to a single archi-tecture—IA. This can streamline software development and cut costs in many areas from development to training. By eliminat-ing the need for disparate architectures, devices with the Intel Atom processor can also eliminate the need for complicated proprietary bus systems to connect them. For PLC manufacturers, this IA compat-ibility enables faster time to market and lower cost of development—advantages no one can afford to ignore.

Designed for Power Efficiency Nobody counts watts like the embed-ded industry and its customers. Here the 45nm Intel® Atom™ processors really shine. They’re designed from the ground up for power efficiency, yet pack an astounding 47 million transistors on a single processor die measuring less than 26mm.2 This is the very definition of tiny. Up to 11 Intel Atom processor dies would fit in an area the size of a U.S. penny.3

Intel Atom processors are available in 1.1 GHz (Z510) and 1.6 GHz (Z530) speeds. They have an average power range4 of just 160–220 milliwatts (mW) and an idle power range5 of just 80–100mW.These dramatically low power levels are achieved as a result of several major proces-sor design power management techniques. These include a new C6 state (Deep Power Down Technology), CMOS mode, and Split I/O power supply.

Delivers the Power and Performance for Internet Capabilities6 The technology package to consider for Internet use is the Intel Atom processor with the Intel® System Controller Hub (SCH) US15W—a single-chip chipset with integrated graphics. This platform enables PC-like capabilities, excellent Internet expe-riences, and long battery life. Mobile Inter-net devices (MIDs) based on this platform perform quick Web page downloads and support popular Web technologies such as Adobe Flash* and JavaScript*. The Intel® SCH US15W is designed to pro-vide a highly integrated low-power solution. It comes complete with advanced low-power 3-D graphics features, hardware ac-celerated 720p and 1080i HD video decode capabilities, Intel® High Definition Audio,7

and a combination of PC and handheld I/O capabilities such as PCI Express,* USB Host and Client, and SDIO. This integrated chipset architecture is ideal for small-form-factor, graphics-enabled applications. Its combined graphics and memory controller hub and I/O controller hub provides a single-chip solution with good graphics for a wide range of applica-tions, including embedded medical imaging devices, MIDs, GPS functions, gaming, and military applications.

Advantages for Embedded ApplicationsFor embedded applications, there’s a lot to like about the Intel Atom processor.

Enables a wide range of IA-based compact • (small form factor), power-efficient devices with great performance. Provides extended battery life in devices, • including an incredibly low idle and aver-age power that allow the device to stay powered on while also conserving energy. Features simultaneous multi-threading • technology8 for better performance and increased system responsiveness. (The Intel Atom processor is capable of de-coding, issuing, and executing two IA-32 instructions in one cycle.)Provides support for popular embedded • operating systems. Drivers are available for Microsoft Windows*—XP, WEPOS, and WinCE*; Wind River* Linux* Platform for Infotainment and VxWorks; Red Hat Fedora*-based Linux; MontaVista* Linux; Red Flag Embedded MIDINUXPE; and QNX Neutrino*. (Microsoft, Wind River Systems, Monta Vista Software, and QNX Software Systems are Associate Mem-bers of the Intel ECA.) Has seven years or more of manufactur-• ing support for embedded applications.

Taking Advantage of IA Performance in a Cool New Microarchitecture The Intel Atom processor has many embedded designers rethinking how they can extend and improve their embedded de-signs for thermally and space-constrained applications. The fact is, they’re coming up with applications that even Intel hadn’t considered.Intel originally targeted the processor for MIDs and the in-vehicle entertainment market (Internet in the car). Now this chip is going many other places—mobile and oth-erwise. A look around the industry shows Intel Atom processors are rapidly being adopted for innovative handheld devices and other embedded applications in a wide range of industries. For instance, in the medical field the Intel Atom processor is inspiring new mobile imaging devices, such as pocket-sized ultrasound machines that will be able to transmit images wirelessly to a standard PC for remote diagnosis. Other usages include

advanced handheld clinician diagnostic tools with built-in cameras for taking photos of a skin abnormality or other condition for later identification by an expert.The Intel Atom processor is also attracting attention in retail. It’s enabling handheld scanners in POS applications that offer longer battery life, wireless capabilities, and because it’s IA-based, more possibilities for direct integration with the inventory applications running on a distributor’s or retailer’s servers. Another application in the retail space is digital signage, such as on smart shopping carts. The Intel Atom processor can make it easier to put more intelligence on the retail floor.The Intel Atom processor is also going into places that are harder to see—such as IP video surveillance cameras that run video analytics software to identify people, ob-jects, movement, or other activities of inter-est. With the Intel Atom processor’s wireless capabilities and a wireless network, these cameras can be put in a variety of locations on a site. What’s more, because they’re IA-based, they won’t require a proprietary OS. The factory floor will be no stranger to the Intel Atom processor either. As described above, the Intel Atom processor enables IA-based PLCs and finally establishes a com-mon platform for process control and enter-prise IT. This will ensure the interchange-ability of PLC programs between different manufacturers and facilitate real-time data exchange between PLCs and PC systems.

Designers Already Finding New Ways to Rethink CoolMost of the innovation using the Intel Atom processor in the embedded space is happening in one of the industry’s most recognized ecosystems, the Intel® Embed-ded and Communications Alliance (Intel® ECA). Using this “cool” new processor se-ries, members are finding all kinds of ways to extend the benefits of IA into smaller form factors—which is no surprise. One of the big advantages of the Intel ECA for these companies is that they get first crack at Intel’s leading-edge products, as well as design and development expertise and total lifecycle support.In talking with Intel ECA members, we received a firsthand look at why the Intel Atom processor and chipset have them and their customers so excited.

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RadiSys Sees the Advantages of Low PowerFor RadiSys (a Premier Member of Intel ECA), using Intel’s low-power 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor was a no-brainer for its latest product—the Procelerant* Z500 COM (Computer-on-Module). With the In-tel® Atom™ processor aboard, this 85mm x 70mm standardized pinout COM Express solution delivers powerful performance levels with low power dissipation. It is helping RadiSys better meet the needs of companies designing handheld solutions for the military, test and measurement, gaming, medical, industrial automation, and transportation markets. According to senior product line manager Lorraine Orcino, RadiSys customers are

“always looking for COM Express solutions using less power. It’s a constant request. They’re very excited about the Intel Atom processor and our latest product. There is

lots of sampling going on, as well as design and development.” One reason for the ex-citement is that the Intel Atom processor’s performance enables more functionality to be built into smaller devices. Orcino says another reason is that “customers can choose a solution now that conforms to IA and doesn’t require a customized OS.” Fi-nally, Orcino points out that because of the Intel Atom processor’s low TDP, it needs no fan and can handle hot environments and smaller, contained enclosures, making it perfect for the rugged environments many handheld and mobile devices are used in.

Nexcom Finds Lots to Like in Video PlaybackIn mobile applications, one challenge is limiting power consumption while providing satisfactory performance. For Nexcom (an Associate Member of Intel® ECA), the best answer to date is the Intel Atom processor. According to Nexcom product marketing di-rector George Liao, “There is no alternative solution in the market that can compete

against the Intel Atom processor.” What has the Intel Atom processor enabled them to do that they couldn’t before? Design low-price, lightweight, IA-based handheld systems that can run video media formats for longer than four hours on battery power. With their Intel Atom processor-based prod-

ucts, Nexcom is targeting medical, logistic management, military, vehicle telematics, and retail ordering systems. A good example is the Nexcom* MTC 2100*, an 8.4” fanless tablet PC with touch screen, laser barcode scanner, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth* that is perfect for logistics. Liao says customers are expressing great interest in all their new Intel Atom processor-based products,

“because of the long battery operating life, excellent pricing, small form factor, and light weight.”

Kontron Cites the Cool Reliability of Low Thermal DesignKontron (a Premier Member of Intel ECA) sees thermal design as the key to getting into smaller applications, as well as increas-ing reliability. So choosing the Intel Atom processor for its latest products was an easy decision—particularly since it came with an added advantage. As Matthias Huber, Director Embedded Modules Divi-sion, notes, “In the past, we were limited in what we could do on an IA-based platform,

so for lower thermal designs we had to use other, more limited platforms. That has all changed with the Intel Atom processor. Today we can serve our customers with

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IA-based technology in any vertical market segment without restrictions.” One of those restrictions lifted is new form factors. Kontron is using Intel Atom processors to move into new mobile and rugged applications formerly served by RISC platforms. The company features the Intel Atom processor in a variety of ETX, COM Express, and SBC platforms. All offer good value for their customers because of the increased reliability and consequent lower total cost of ownership of the lower TDP. For these reasons and more, Huber calls the technology “awesome” and says the response from customers is “far beyond our expectations.”

Advantech Delivers Big on Going SmallProduct manager Aaron Su of Advantech (a Premier Member of Intel ECA) says power savings are creating the greatest interest among customers for Advantech’s first Intel Atom processor-based SOM (System-on-Module) Express “Micro” form factor. This board performs the same functions as traditional SOM Express modules, but with a smaller board size of only 95mm x 95mm. He says Advantech’s new SOM-6760* module and development board will enable embedded developers to create more mo-bile and portable applications. According to Su, “low power consumption means longer battery life, and the fan-free design allows customers to make their chassis smaller

and thinner.” He also cites the processor’s ability to play MPEG-4 video content, yet enable “a complete board solution with lower than 10W power consumption.”

Rethink What You Expect from an Embedded PlatformWhat we’ve described could be the tip of the iceberg. While a wide range of products based on the Intel Atom pro-cessor are already appearing from Intel

RadiSys* Procelerant* Z500: 85mm x 70mm COM based on Intel® Atom™ processor

Nexcom* MTC2100*

Advantech* SOM-Express micro with CPU, VGA/LVDS, audio, and LAN

Kontron* nanoEXTexpress-SP* powered by Intel® Atom™ processor

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ECA members, many more products are in the pipeline. The advantages of this processor make it destined for wide use in a broad range of industries and applica-tions. After all, compared to costly, propri-etary solutions, products using the Intel Atom processor can offer in most cases

Company Product Name Description Processor Series Market Segment Focus

Advantech Co., Ltd.

SOM-6760 SOM Express Micro with CPU, VGA/LVDS, audio, and LAN

Intel® Atom™ Z500 processor Handheld/portable devices, military and industrial

Kontron nanoETXexpress-SP Computer-on-Module compatible to COM Express Type 1 pinout

Intel® Atom™ Z5xx series Ultramobile ECT market including handheld medical

microETXexpress-SP Computer-on-Module compatible to COM Express Type 2 pinout

Intel Atom Z5xx series Portable data acquisition and POS/POI application market

ETX-DC Low-power, rugged ETX 3.0 COM Intel® Atom™ N2xx series Automation and transportation applications

KT15W/mITX Mini-ITX motherboard Intel Atom Z5xx series HMI appliances

RadiSys Procelerant Z500 The Procelerant Z500 COM product is the innovative combination of Intel’s low-power 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor on a 85mm x 70mm standardized pinout COM module.

Intel® Atom™ Z530

processor: 1.60 GHz, 512K cache, 533 MHz FSBIntel® Atom™ Z510processor: 1.10 GHz, 512K cache, 400 MHz FSB

Portable and handheld devices, medical, infotainment, test and measurement

Nexcom MRC 2100 MRC 2100 is rugged with special rubber padding. It can handle four-foot drops and harsh working environments.

Intel Atom Z500 processor Factory, law enforcement

MTC 2100 MTC 2100 enables real-time management and efficient communication via GPRS/GSM/UMTS/HSDPA wireless network.

Intel Atom Z500 processor Logistic

MTC 2100-MD MTC 2100-MD facilitates monitoring patients with onboard RFID reader and keeps track of medicines via wireless network, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

Intel Atom Z500 processor Medical

better performance, standardized form factors, lower TDPs, smaller footprints, and greater economies of scale. For the customer, this simply translates into a better deal. What’s not to like? The Intel Atom processor is an ideal reason to rethink cool.To hear more from the Intel® ECA members featured in this article, visit the Embedded Forum, the industry’s new online community for ideas, solutions, and answers you can’t easily get anywhere else. www.intel .com/go/embeddedforum

†The TDP specification should be used to design the processor thermal solu-tion. TDP is not the maximum theoretical power the processor can generate.ΔIntel processor numbers are not a measure of performance. Processor num-bers differentiate features within each processor family, not across differ-ent processor families. Over time processor numbers will increment based on changes in clock, speed, cache, FSB, or other features, and increments are not intended to represent proportional or quantitative increases in any particular feature. Current roadmap processor number progression is not necessarily representative of future roadmaps. See www.intel.com/products/processor_number for details.

1TDP specification should be used to design the processor thermal solution. Thermal solutions not designed to provide this level of thermal capability may affect the long-term reliability of the processor and system.2Actual processor size based on current Intel architecture product offerings.3“Intel Announces Intel® Atom™ Brand for New Family of Low-Power Processors,” Intel press release, March 2, 2008 (www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20080302comp.htm).

4Average power is defined as measured CPU power whilst running BAPCo MobileMark ’05 Office Productivity suite on Microsoft* Windows* XP for a period of 90 minutes at 50° C. Assumes top bin frequency, median leakage, Adaptive mode. “Median leakage device” means that 50% of the CPUs will have leakage values below the median value and 50% will have leakage val-ues above the median.5Idle power on the Intel Atom processor is defined as the power in the Intel® Deep Power Down state (C6 state). Intel® Deep Power Down Technology (C6) is the lowest power state of the CPU when the core clock, PLL, L1 cache, and L2 cache are off. Z510, Z520, Z530, Z540 are measured while running Idle under Microsoft* Windows Vista* Home Premium for a period of 30 minutes. Z500 is measured while running Idle under MIDINUX Linux* for a period of 30 minutes. “Median leakage device” means that 50% of the CPUs will have leakage values below the median value and 50% will have leakage values above the median.6System performance, battery life, power savings, high-definition quality, video playback, wireless performance, and functionality will vary depending on your specific operating system, hardware, chipset, connection rate, site conditions, and software configurations. Wireless connectivity and some fea-

tures may require you to purchase additional software, services or external hardware.7Intel® High Definition Audio requires a system with an appropriate Intel® chip-set and a motherboard with an appropriate codec and the necessary drivers installed. System sound quality will vary depending on actual implementation, controller, codec, drivers, and speakers. For more information about Intel® HD audio, refer to www.intel.com.8Hyper-Threading Technology (HT Technology) requires a computer system with an Intel® processor supporting Hyper-Threading Technology and an HT Technology enabled chipset, BIOS, and operating system. Hyper-Threading Technology is available on Intel® Atom™ processor Z520, Z530, and Z540 (Z520=1.33 GHz, Z530=1.60 Ghz and Z540=1.86 GHz) and Intel® Atom™ processor N270 (1.60 GHz) and 230 (1.60 GHz).

*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

©2008 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Atom, and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

Companies Rethinking Cool with the Intel® Atom™ Processor Z5xxΔ SeriesSearch through the member products and services directory at: http://intelcommsalliance.com/kshowcase