High-End Embedded Applications To Get Performance Boost From Intel Pentium® Processor With MMX™ Technology

Intel Providing Embedded Life-Cycle Support, New Embedded Processor Module and 82430TX PCISet

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 29, 1997 -- Intel Corporation announced today at the Embedded Systems Conference West it will help embedded PC designers step up performance and features in their products by providing embedded application for the company's 200 MHz Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology, a new Embedded Processor Module with the 166 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology, and the 82430TX PCIset.

"The embedded systems market segment is looking for a stable, long-term processor architecture with strong tools support, a good development environment and a defined upgrade path. The 200 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology meets these requirements and gives our customers another option in performance and capabilities," said Tom Franz, general manager, Intel's Embedded Microcomputer Division. "The availability of the new Embedded Processor Module with the 166 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology also gives customers a higher-performance module option and will help them get their products designed and to market more quickly."

Features Enhance Overall Performance and Multimedia
Embedded applications well-suited for the 200 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology and new Embedded Processor Module include point-of-sale terminals, telecommunications and networking devices, and industrial applications. Many of these applications already use the Intel Architecture embedded processors or modules and can easily upgrade performance and features by adding more powerful processors.

The latest Pentium processors to be supported for embedded applications double on-chip cache to 32 Kbytes (16 Kbytes code cache and 16 Kbytes data cache). The processor features improved branch prediction, an enhanced pipeline and deeper write buffers, all to optimize overall processor performance. The processor is pin-compatible with previous Pentium processors. The 166 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology in the module supports these same features.

"Many of our customers' applications could get up to a 10 to 20 percent performance increase with the 200 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology running existing software compared to the Pentium processor at the same frequency without optimizing their code," Franz said. "The 200 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology also gives product designers a strong upgrade path. This processor is pin-compatible with the Pentium processor, and code developed for that chip can be re-used on the 200 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology."

Intel's MMX Technology
Intel's MMX technology gives embedded systems designers 57 new instructions specifically designed to manipulate and process video, audio and graphical data efficiently. The new instructions are oriented to the highly parallel, repetitive sequences often found in multimedia operations.

On Intel's Media Benchmark, the Pentium processor with MMX technology delivers more than 60 percent performance improvement when compared with an equivalent speed Pentium processor. This benchmark, which measures performance on media-rich applications, consists of audio, video, imaging and 3D geometry components.

Embedded applications that would benefit from the capabilities of the MMX technology include, for example, point-of-sale terminals, in which users interact with the system via a graphical user interface and multimedia data, such as photos, color graphics, audio or video.

Module Helps Shorten Time-to-Market
To help designers get their products designed more quickly, Intel also will make available early next year a new Embedded Processor Module featuring the 166 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology. The EMDMOD166 provides a high-speed interface design, which cuts development time and reduces the engineering expertise and resources required by the customer. The module includes L2 cache and the 82430HX PCIset.

The module interfaces with PCI 2.1 and DRAM and includes the same base (I/O) board design as the previously-announced version with the 133 MHz Pentium processor and PCIset. This compatibility among modules will allow customers to develop different products based on various price/performance options of the Pentium processor.

PCIset for Pentium Processors with MMX Technology
Intel also will provide embedded support for the 82430TX PCIset. This PCIset supports SDRAM, a key consideration for some embedded applications such as telecommunications, in which optimal system I/O performance is required. The PCIset also includes Ultra DMA for faster download of larger files and concurrent PCI, which reduces PCI latencies and results in smoother audio, video and imaging.

Embedded Support and the Design Environment
Consistent with the requirements of the embedded market segment, Intel will provide application development support, reference designs, and extensive relationships with third-party vendors of development tools and services, BIOS and operating systems to help customers get products to market.

Pricing and Availability
The 200 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology is available now in the 296-pin plastic pin grid array (PPGA) package for $252 U.S. in 1K unit quantities.

The EMDMOD166, featuring the 166 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology, will sample in Q1 1998, with production quantities scheduled for Q2 1998. Anticipated pricing is $400 U.S. in 1K unit quantities.

The Intel 82430TX PCIset is available now and is priced at $28.25 U.S. in 1K unit quantities.

For More Information
For more information on the 200 MHz Pentium processor with MMX technology for embedded applications, the 82430TX PCIset or the EMDMOD166 with the 166 MHz Pentium processor, visit Intel's Web site at www.intel.com/design/intarch/. This site includes product and applications information, as well as development tools and support products and services.

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