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National's New Geode Processor Based on GeodeLink ArchitectureBy National Semiconductor has added to its Geode line of x86-based processors designed for information appliances with the new GX2 family of processors. Combining the high performance and low power consumption critical in information appliances, the GX2 family is targeted for use in devices such as thin clients, digital set-top boxes, residential gateways, and personal Internet access devices. The new Geode family is designed from the ground up for full-featured multimedia across broadband Internet connections. An IA solution with a high level of integration, the GX2 family offers a streaming media experience at drastically lower power consumption levels. Power consumption is less than 1 watt in typical applications and merely 3 watts for streaming media-intensive applications. Future devices built on National's new processors will offer ease-of-use, increased performance for streaming audio and video, and improved functionality, portability, and affordability. "OEMs in the information appliance space are feeling the effects of two market drivers -- the demand for increased device performance and the need for decreased power consumption," said Keith White, senior director of marketing for the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft Corporation. "The combination of National's Geode GX2 reference platform and either Windows XP Embedded or Windows CE will deliver on both trends, allowing next-generation Internet access device OEMs to quickly bring innovative new solutions to their customers that incorporate both high performance and lower power usage." At the heart of the new GX2 processor is National's GeodeLink IA system architecture, which enables high-performance and low-power designs, improved silicon design productivity, and reuse of intellectual property (IP). The GeodeLink architecture is a single on-chip interconnect that facilitates the integration of modules and allows use of UMA. This architecture provides 6 GB/s on-chip bandwidth, up to 2 GB/s memory bandwidth, advanced diagnostics, and active hardware power management that reduces power with innovative architectural power-saving techniques. The GeodeLink architecture employs a modular reusable design methodology and provides software reusability via a virtual PCI approach, allowing legacy PCI drivers developed for discrete components to function seamlessly when the IP is integrated onto a single chip. Reducing the risk of adding and efficiently de-coupling allows National to more quickly develop and verify new products in response to market and customers' time-to-market needs. National's Geode GX2 family is the first group of x86-based integrated processors developed specifically for the IA market. Designed on the 0.15-micron process technology, the Geode GX2 processor includes the following features: high-performance x86 CPU core with 3DNow! instructions, 16K Instruction and 16K Data caches, and architectural enhancements for optimal streaming multimedia. Additionally, the GX2 family integrates a SDRAM/double-data-rate (DDR)-SDRAM memory controller, 32-bit 2D graphics controller, PCI-66 interface, high resolution 1600x1200x24 bit display with video scaling, CRT digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and a unified memory architecture (UMA) DSTN/TFT controller. The Geode GX2 reference platform makes IA design simpler. This platform includes: CRT/TFT output, DDR-SDRAM and SDRAM support, universal serial bus (USB) support, 4 PCI slots for easy development, and additional boards for increased functionality, such as flash support, super I/O, and touch screen controller. It also comes with firmware and drivers to support such operating systems as Microsoft Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, and Windows CE; Lineo; Tuxia; RedHat; Century Software; and other versions of Linux. The JTAG interface on silicon ensures fast and easy software development. Packaged in a 368-pin enhanced ball grid array (EBGA), National Semiconductor's Geode GX2 processor, together with a companion chip, is priced below US$50 each in high volume. Production is expected in the first half of 2002. Link: |
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