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Intel at ISSCC Detailing Digital Radios and Solar-Powered CPUs

February 20th, 2012
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Intel’s presentations at the International Solid State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) this year are focused on one of the biggest problems facing modern CPU designers—how to improve power efficiency without sacrificing compute performance. Intel isn’t just tackling this problem through conventional process shrinks and smaller dies, however; the company detailed multiple new approaches. First up is Claremont, Intel’s first chip built to run on Near Threshold Voltage (NTV) technology.

The term “Near Threshold Voltage” refers to the amount of voltage required to switch a transistor from 0 to 1. Normally, the voltage variation between the two states is significant in order to prevent transistors from activating when they aren’t supposed to. An NTV processor is able to operate much closer to the On/Off point. The result is a significant level of power savings.

Claremont is a bog-standard Intel Pentium that’s been transplanted from its original 0.8µm process (that’s 800nm) to a 32nm architecture. Intel didn’t set out to label Claremont a solar-powered processor; the demo shot below was simply meant to show that the chip could run on extremely small amounts of power. The CPU’s operating parameters indicate such uses are an option; Claremont idles at 280mv at 3MHz and draws just 737mW of power at 915MHz and 1.2v.

For a pertinent example of why this matters, consider the tweaked graph below. The data is from our coverage of Medfield, Intel’s first smartphone processor, but we’ve updated the original with hard figures rather than simply showing a trend line. The reason power consumption increases so sharply as frequency rises, is because higher clock speeds require higher voltages, and raising voltage has a huge impact on power consumption.

It’s not clear yet if NTV would improve power consumption at maximum frequency or if its benefits are mainly confined to lower power modes, but the impact on mobile devices would be substantial. Much of what makes Medfield a huge step forward for Intel is the chip’s ability to minimize its power consumption and rapidly return to standby mode once computational tasks are complete. Smartphones spend the overwhelming majority of time — upwards of 90% — in standby or low-power modes, and that’s where NTV would deliver further improvements.

Source:http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Intel-Details-NextGen-Radios-SolarPowered-CPUs/

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Researchers boost processor performance by getting CPU and GPU to collaborate

February 8th, 2012
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Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a technique to take advantage of the “fused architecture” emerging on multicore CPUs that puts central processing units and graphics processing units on the same chip. The technology, called CPU-assisted general purpose computation on graphics processor units (CPU-assisted GPGPU) uses software compiled to leverage the architecture to allow the CPU and GPU to collaborate on computing tasks, boosting processor performance on average by more than 20 percent in simulations.

The approach, outlined in a paper by NC State Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dr. Huiyang Zhou, Ph.D. candidates Yi Yang and Ping Xiang, and AMD GPU Architect Mike Mantor, is designed for fused architecture chipsets with a shared L3 cache and shared off-chip memory for CPUs and GPUs. The approach developed by the team leverages the computing power of the GPU, while taking advantage of the CPU’s more flexible data retrieval and better handling of complex tasks.

The current generation of hybrid CPU/GPU systems, including Intel’s “Sandy Bridge” and AMD’s “Llano” has helped create more energy-efficient systems and reduce manufacturing costs, Zhou said. “However, the CPU cores and GPU cores still work almost exclusively on separate functions. They rarely collaborate to execute any given program, so they aren’t as efficient as they could be. That’s the issue we’re trying to resolve.”

GPUs are obviously designed for handling graphics, but they are also very good at handling large numbers of parallel processes, particularly in applications where the same process needs to be applied to large amounts of data. Traditionally, one of the the biggest problems when using GPUs for general purpose computing has been that they don’t handle complex, branchy, pointer-heavy code very well at all—which is the strength of CPUs. The long pipelines of most GPUs instead favor sequential, streaming reads, and applications where there’s a high ratio of arithmetic operations applied to data relative to the amount of data that has to be moved to and from memory. Hybrid chips like Sandy Bridge have less main memory bandwidth than typical discrete GPUs (albeit with lower latency), so keeping the fast level 3 cache filled with data is essential if developers want to avoid starving the GPU of data.

CPU-assisted GPGPU uses the CPU’s faster L3 cache pre-fetching to feed data to the GPU, cutting out performance drags that come with GPU code accessing memory. A program compiled for CPU-assisted GPGPU launches a “pre-execution” program at startup on the CPU to pre-fetch data to be processed by GPU code and load it into the level 3 cache onboard the chip. That allows process threads running in the GPU to hit the L3 cache directly, rather than fetching from memory, reducing latency and significantly boosting performance. In some cases, the performance of simulated applications improved by up to 113%, the researchers claimed.

Why simulated? AMD’s current hybrid processor, the Llano, lacks a shared L3 cache, so it won’t support the approach. And Intel’s Sandy Bridge offers only limited GPGPU functionality. In a phone interview with Ars, Dr. Zhou explained that in theory the research could be applied to Intel’s current Sandy Bridge architecture, which provides a shared last-level cache for CPUs and GPUs in its architecture. But he said that Sandy Bridge’s GPU “isn’t that powerful” and Intel’s current software support “doesn’t include support for OpenCL and other GPGPL stuff.” However, he said, he expects that the hardware support for CPU-assisted GPGPU applications will be in upcoming generations of hybrid platforms from both Intel and AMD, and software support will follow. And, he added, “it’s already assumed that the GPU (in Intel’s Ivy Bridge processors) will be much more powerful than Sandy Bridge.”

Real World Technologies editor David Kanter said that he expects to see “a lot more work in this area, as engineers and researchers must improve performance significantly, while maintaining or reducing power consumption.” But he noted that there wasn’t information in the research about the power consumption impact of the technology. Zhou said that the research hasn’t yielded any hard numbers on what the power consumption impact would be.

Zhou said that his team’s research had been funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and AMD, and was just the latest collaboration with Mantor. But the research up until now has been fundamental scientific research, and he couldn’t say how it might be commercialized by AMD or Intel.

Source:http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/02/researchers-boost-processor-performance-by-getting-cpu-and-gpu-to-collaborate.ars

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Sprint Readies $100 ‘ZTE Optik’ Android Tablet with Dual-Core Processor

February 3rd, 2012
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In all likelihood, this will turn out to be the year of the low-cost tablet, a move that was set in motion when Amazon launched its $199 Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble its $249 Nook Tablet. Continuing the trend is Sprint, which is planning to release a sub-$100 (by a penny) Android tablet on Super Bowl Sunday (February 5, for you folks who aren’t into sports). So, what’s the catch?

To grab the 7-inch slate for a C-note, you have to sign up for a two-year service agreement, or else it’s $350 off-contract. Otherwise, the ZTE Optik appears surprisingly well spec’d. In addition to a 7-inch WXGA (1280×800) screen, it has a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, integrated GPS, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, stereo speakers, 3.5mm audio jack, 5MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, and a 4,000 mAh Lithium-ion battery, all of which comes powered by Google’s Android 3.2 (Gingerbread) platform.

“Sprint is committed to delivering exceptional value and feature-rich devices to our customers,” said David Owens, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “ZTE Optik packs great features for under $100. When this device is combined with our Tablet Connection plans, customers can easily keep their personal and professional lives organized, stay connected with their social networks and get things done while on the go.”

The ZTE Optic can be activated on one of four Sprint Tablet Connection plans, including $20/month for 1GB of data, $35/month for 3GB, $50/month for 6GB, and $80/month for 12GB. A Mobile Hotspot option is available for an additional $30/month.

Source:http://hothardware.com/News/Sprint-Readies-100-ZTE-Optik-Android-Tablet-with-DualCore-Processor/

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MSI Introduces Wind U180 Netbook With Cedar Trail

February 3rd, 2012
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MSI revealed a new Wind U180 ultra light netbook with Intel’s latest Cedar Trail Atom processing platform. This netbook features twice the processing and display performance as the previous generation netbook. It also touts a battery life of eight hours. The Wind U180 measures less than one inch thick and weighs about 2.2 pounds. In addition to the new generation dual-core Intel Atom N2800 processor, the Wind U180 also supports DDR3 system memory. You’ll also find a power-saving 10.1-inch LED backlit display with a response time of just 8 milliseconds in this netbook.

MSI unveiled its all-new powerful Wind U180 for 2012. This ultra thin, ultra light netbook features Intel’s new generation, power-sipping, high performance Cedar Trail Atom processing platform packed in a snazzy chassis. It boasts twice the processing and display performance of the previous generation netbook as well as eight hours of battery power, so it doesn’t run out of energy before you do. In addition, it comes with MSI’s own TDE overclocking technology to maximize processor performance. The Wind U180 strikes the ideal balance between performance and style as well as between technology and art.

Taipei—The Wind U180, meticulously crafted by MSI for 2012, marks a new zenith in computer technology, offering both performance and an esthetically pleasing looks. It comes in minimalist black, angel white or lavender, is less than one-inch thin, tips the scales at just 1kg, and is sheathed in MSI’s own attractive IMR color film print to prevent scratches and smudges. Let this highly mobile piece of computer technology add color to your life.

Eric Kuo, associate vice president for global sales, MSI Notebook, points out that the MSI Wind U180, a new generation netbook characterized by painstaking attention to craftsmanship and innovation, not only packs significantly more power, it is the ideal solution to meet today’s mobile multimedia needs. Its display is some three times more powerful than that of the previous generation, enabling the high resolution LED screen to show much more detail and color. What’s more, the HDMI slot allows you to connect the U180 netbook to a large HDTV to maximize multimedia entertainment.

Double the power, double the fun

Intel’s Atom processor: The stylish MSI Wind U180 netbook comes optional with the new generation dual-core Intel Atom N2800 processor with advanced 32nm-based process which works in conjunction with the Intel NM10 high-speed chip set. It not only effectively enhances processor and overall system performance by more than 20% over previous generation netbooks, it also supports DDR3 system memory, while using much less power than the earlier platform. This new generation netbook brings high performance under the hood of a lean, mean, beautifully constructed machine.

All-new media engine: The MSI Wind U180 utilizes the latest generation display graphics technology, enabling it to play high resolution 1080p movies, and it supports digital display and conferencing capabilities, such as HDMI. The internal Intel Graphics Media Accelerator works in conjunction with the integrated memory control to boost performance and system response. The display graphics performance is double that of the previous generation platform. You can watch movies or hook it up to an HDTV without compromising picture quality.

MSI TDE overclocking technology: The MSI Wind U180 comes with MSI’s own epoch making TDE overclocking technology to speed up the processor clock, instantly throttling up performance. It optimizes the hardware which works in coordination with up to 2GB of DDR3 system memory to provide you a light and fast computing experience.

Stylish colors

Chic, slim, light exterior: The Wind U180’s ultra slim, ultra light netbook sports a unique display axle and offers you a choice of minimalist black, angel white or lavender chassis protected from scratching and wear by the attractive IMR color film print. The palm-placement areas are sheathed in an attractive gleaming cover which adds to the overall elegance of the MSI Wind U180.

Unique Chiclet keyboard: The MSI Wind U180 has a stylish Chiclet keyboard with independent key design for quieter, more solid action. With each strike of the keyboard, you will understand that MSI truly does insist on the best in each and every detail.

Attention to detail

Swirl design touchpad: The Wind U180 employs MSI’s own swirl design touchpad which gives the keyboard area a stylishly minimalist look and enhances touch detection for smoother cursor movement.

Super thin 10-inch LED screen: The MSI Wind U180 sports a power-saving 10.1″ LED backlit display with a response time of just 8 milliseconds—more than twice as fast as traditional notebooks, to give you a smooth, crisp picture with greater detail and brighter colors when watching movies and animation. This netbook offers the visual quality of a cinema.

Ultimate mobility, extended battery power

MSI’s ECO power saving technology: MSI’s exclusive ECO engine power saving technology allows you to select from among five power management levels—Video Game, Film, Presentation, Word Processing, and Turbo Battery, with the touch of a finger, so you can effectively extend battery power time 33% over the previous generation. Tests show that the 6-cell battery can power the MSI Wind U180 for 8 hours to give you all the power you need for the entire day.

*Actual battery time will vary with differences in computer use and settings.

Bluetooth and wireless network support: In addition to providing 8 hours of battery power, the MSI Wind U180 also supports a complete array of wireless connectivity with 802.11 b/g/n wireless and Bluetooth 3.0+HS, making connecting with the world simple. Enjoy advanced future mobile computing technology today.

Source:http://hothardware.com/News/MSI-Introduces-Wind-U180-Netbook-With-Cedar-Trail/

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Intel Realigning Atom Processor Strategy Away from Netbooks

December 27th, 2011
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Netbook sales aren’t what they used to be. A combination of factors ended the netbook craze that existed not all that long ago, including the rising popularity of tablet PCs, lower cost notebooks, and the recent introduction of highly portable Ultrabooks. Underscoring this point is the fact that Intel’s Atom processor and chipset revenue fell by nearly a third (32 percent) in the Q3 2011 compared to the same quarter in 2010, according to IHS iSuppli. So what does the future hold for Atom?

Looking ahead, Intel is shifting its Atom strategy towards network-attached storage (NAS) devices, entry-level servers, and embedded applications. This shift will begin with the introduction of Intel’s next Atom CPU — Centerton — built on a 32nm manufacturing process with a slim architecture and low power consumption, according to DigiTimes.

Skipping ahead to 2013, Intel will following up Centerton with 22nm Silvermont-based Atom processors, and then 14nm Airmont-based Atom chips in 2014. By then, Intel hopes to have a better foothold in the tablet PC market, the same one that’s been partially responsible for consumers’ waning interest in netbooks.

Source:http://hothardware.com/News/Intel-Realigning-Atom-Processor-Strategy-Away-from-Netbooks/

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Alienware Aurora Released, Touts Intel X79 Chip

December 15th, 2011
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Alienware has released its new Aurora gaming desktop PC that touts the latest Intel X79 chipset.

The Aurora gaming computer aims to lure fervent gamers on a system jam-packed with the most up-to-date hardware around a factory-overclocked, six-core Intel Core i7-3000 processor.

Arthur Lewis, VP of product management at Alienware, said, “The PC gaming industry continues to grow rapidly, and our customers are demanding systems that can keep up with the most graphic-intensive games on the market.”

Alienware claims that this liquid-cooled system is the most sophisticated gaming desktop available on the market today.

“Alienware Aurora, our most advanced gaming desktop ever, delivers an experience that will exceed the expectations of any serious gamer,” said Lewis.

The gaming PC developer also offers an extensive selection of graphics cards that range from a single 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6870 up to a dual 2GB AMD Radeon HD 6950 with CrossFireX.

Alienware Aurora comes with unlocked BIOS for easier modifications and performance adjustments.

Additional technical specifications include an 8GB or 16GB quad-channel 1600MHz DDR3 RAM, a conventional HDD with 2TB max capacity, and an optional upgrade for a 256GB or 512GB solid-state disk (SSD) drive.

Alienware branding means a hefty price so Aurora costs at least £1,999 (least expensive configuration) as such.

Source:http://socialbarrel.com/alienware-aurora-released-touts-intel-x79-chip/28952/

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Samsung Announces ARM Cortex-A15 Processor Samples

December 2nd, 2011
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Samsung announced the industry’s first dual-core processor samples based on the ARM Cortex-A15 core. The new 2GHz dual-core Exynos 5250 is designed for use in high-end tablets. According to Samsung, the Exynos 5250 offers about twice the CPU performance of today’s products which use Cortex-A9-based dual core processors running at 1.5GHz. The Exynos 5250 features 3D graphics processing capabilities and supports display resolutions up to 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA). This chip also features doubled memory bandwidth of 12.8 GB/s. The Exynos 5250 is scheduled for mass-production in the second quarter of 2012.

A world leader in advanced semiconductor solutions, announced today the industry’s first dual-core processor samples based on the ARM™ Cortex-A15 core. Designed specifically for high-end tablets, Samsung’s newest 2GHz dual-core Exynos 5250 utilizes 32nm high-k metal gate low-power process technology and will offer system-level designers an exciting new solution intended to meet the graphic-intensive, power-efficient requirements of these next-generation mobile products.

“The ARM Cortex-A15 brings unparalleled performance to our Exynos processor family and the exploding mobile marketplace,” said Dojun Rhee, vice president of System LSI marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics. “Designers need an application processor platform that delivers full high definition multimedia capabilities, fast processing speed and high performance graphics to meet end users’ expectation for a connected life on the go. The advanced low-power, high-performance processor technology of the new Exynos 5250 continues to deliver an unprecedented level of performance for users to enjoy a completely new mobile experience.”

Samsung’s new dual-core ARM Cortex-A15 based application processor, the Exynos 5250, is capable of processing 14 billion instructions per second (DMIPS, Dhrystone million instructions per second) at 2.0GHz, nearly doubling the performance over a current state of the art Cortex-A9-based dual core processor running at 1.5GHz capable of 7,500 DMIPS.

In particular, the Exynos 5250 design was architected to drive up to an industry leading 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) display which reflects the significance of advanced display technology transitioning toward ever higher and sharper resolutions. These leading-edge features enable users to enjoy crisper video images on their mobile devices and deliver readability equivalent to real paper for an ultimate electronic reading experience.

To maximize power efficiencies at the system level, the Exynos 5250 has an embedded DisplayPort (eDP) interface that is compliant with panel self-refresh technology (PSR) applied to the timing controller (T-CON). The embedded PSR technology enables static images to be refreshed directly from the frame buffer memory incorporated in the T-CON, resolving the need for regular display refresh instructions to be made by the application processor in cases such as reading static web pages or e-books.

The 3D graphics processing capabilities, enhanced by more than four-fold over the 1.5GHz Cortex-A9 dual-core processor, and a stereoscopic 3D feature raise the bar of user experience on high-specification 3D gaming, user-interfacing and stereoscopic 3D video playback.

Moreover, the Exynos 5250 features a doubled memory bandwidth of 12.8 Gigabytes per second (GB/s) compared to current dual-core processors that support a maximum of 6.4GB/s to enable fast data processing features, superb 3D graphics and high-resolution display. This memory bandwidth is a key requirement for a processor to support WQXGA resolution displays.

Samsung’s Exynos 5250 offers a host of peripheral functions including an embedded image signal processor enabling 8 Megapixel resolution images at 30 frames per second, a full HD 60 frame per second video hardware codec engine for high resolution 1080p video recording and playback, a HDMI 1.4 interface for sharp and crisp multimedia content transmission, along with a diverse scope of embedded booting device interfaces such as SATA, UART, USB and external ports such as USB3.0, eMMC4.5 and eSD3.0.

The Exynos 5250 is currently sampling to customers and is scheduled for mass-production in the second quarter of 2012.

Source:http://hothardware.com/News/Samsung-Announces-ARM-CortexA15-Processor-Samples/

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