Atom-based platform brings desktop to the hand

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Apr 3, 2008

Designed specifically for battery operated handheld devices, InHand's Atom-based mobile product will be one of the smallest, full function systems available.

InHand Electronics has developed a novel small-form-factor platform based on Intel's new low-power processor and chipset, the Intel Atom Z500 series processor and Intel US15W system controller hub (SCH).

The Intel Atom processor is an Intel architecture product designed from the ground-up, which consumes 10 times less power compared with ULV single-core Intel processors.

Designed specifically for battery operated handheld devices, and targeted towards the military, medical and infotainment markets, InHand's product will be one of the smallest, full function systems available.

At slightly larger than a credit card, the embedded system may be used as a stand-alone SBC or with an expansion board.

Power supplies, battery charger, memory, wireless interfaces, SD slot, LCD interface, VGA video output, HDD interface, ExpressCard slot and standard peripheral connectors will all be included onboard.

By integrating these features and connectors on a single board, InHand greatly reduces customers' time to market and system complexity.

"The Intel Atom processor-based platform drastically changes the performance versus power consumption equation for handheld portable devices", says Knut Skare, CEO of InHand Electronics.

"Our customers have continually pushed to bring a full desktop experience to handheld devices while extending battery life to 8-12 hours of run time".

"By combining the Intel Atom processor and the Intel SCH US15W, with InHand's patented BatterySmart technology, this battery life is attainable without drastically increasing the size, weight and power of mobile devices".

"InHand Electronics offers a low-power embedded solution for developers of handheld wireless devices", says Jonathan Luse, Director of Marketing, Low Power Embedded Products Division, Intel.

"Their low-power expertise and BatterySmart technology enhances the advanced power savings features of the new low-power, fanless Intel Atom processors".

InHand's new small form factor platform will be available in the second half of 2008.