x86-based processors aim at information appliances

National Semiconductor has unveiled a new Geode family of x86-based, highly integrated processors designed exclusively for information appliances.

National Semiconductor has unveiled a new Geode family of x86-based, highly integrated processors designed exclusively for information appliances.

Setting new standards for high performance and low power consumption, the next-generation Geode processor will redefine the entire range of future Internet access devices in both consumer and enterprise applications.

The introduction of the Geode GX2 family is National's latest move to extend its leadership in providing optimised technology for information appliances 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 optimal IA solution with a high level of integration, the GX2 family offers a no-compromise streaming media experience at extremely lower power consumption levels.

Power consumption is less than 1W in typical applications and merely 3W for streaming media-intensive applications.

Future devices built on National's new processors will fulfill the wish list of most demanding users of the Internet and intranets, offering ease-of-use; increased performance for streaming audio and video; and improved functionality, portability and affordability.

At the heart of the new GX2 processor is National's ground-breaking GeodeLink IA system architecture which enables high-performance and low-power designs, improved silicon design productivity and reuse of intellectual property (IP).

With performance that optimally addresses both low-cost and high-performance Internet access devices, the GX2 processor delivers an unparalleled performance/power/price combination made possible by the innovative architecture and design.

National's Geode GX2 family is the first 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 DDR-capable SDRAM controller, 32bit 2D graphics controller, PCI-66 interface, high resolution 1600 x 1200 x 24bit display with video scaling, CRT digital-to-analogue convertors and a unified memory architecture (UMA) DSTN/TFT controller.

The new Geode family's high-performance and low-power standards are achieved through the GeodeLink architecture, a single on-chip interconnect that facilitates the integration of modules and allows use of UMA.

This architecture provides 6Gbyte/s on-chip bandwidth, up to 2Gbyte/s memory bandwidth, advanced diagnostics, and active hardware power management that reduces power with innovative architectural power-saving techniques.

By providing optimal levels of integration, hardware acceleration and processing power, the Geode GX2 family offers the best mix of performance, power and cost for next-generation information appliances.

National also developed a reference design platform based on the Geode GX2 family of processors targeting Internet access devices.

The Geode GX2 family is the first based on the GeodeLink system architecture that includes on-chip support for software debugging, enabling high-performance peripherals.

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 of IP development allow National to more quickly develop and verify new products in response to market and customers' time-to-market needs.

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