Intel Extends Line Of Embedded Intel® Architecture Processors For Communications Applications With The Intel® Pentium® M
Processor
Intel Corporation today introduced the Intel® Pentium® M processor for communications applications, providing an optimal
combination of higher compute performance, power management and overall lower power for use in ultra-dense modular
communications equipment. The architectural features in the processor are well suited for communications, helping to
speed the processing and routing of data within modular, high density networking equipment. As the convergence of
communications and computing continues, future Intel® architecture processors are expected to increasingly include
features that benefit networking equipment as well as PCs and servers.
Today’s announcement is part of a broader effort by Intel to bring the benefits of modular components to the networking
market segment. High performance and widely available hardware and software components, including a range of Intel chips
and a rich set of software development tools and re-useable application code, can help equipment manufacturers reduce
development costs, speed time-to-market and enable new services.
“Intel’s goal is to help equipment manufacturers and carriers continue to build modular solutions throughout the network
while reducing both capital and operational expenses,” said Howard Bubb, vice president, Intel, general manager, Intel
Network Processing Group. “Our industry-leading services and control processors as well as our network processors are
key components in our expanding portfolio of standards-based communications building blocks.”
Applications The processor operates as a control processor managing network processors, line cards and other components
in equipment such as radio network controllers and media gateway controllers. It can also act as a services processor
for security applications such as firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and intrusion detection systems.
Additionally, telecommunication equipment manufacturers (TEMs) will find that the processor can be used in
mid-performance bladed telco servers where space, power and heat constraints necessitate high performance, low-power
consuming components.
Nokia Networks has plans to use the processor in many of Nokia’s core infrastructure products. “The thermally optimised
micro architecture of the Intel Pentium M processor allows us to design highly dense mobile infrastructure solutions
with the maximum processing performance per square foot,” said Ari Virtanen, Vice President, Network Platforms of Nokia
Networks.
The Performance Behind the Processor The Intel Pentium M processor includes several features that, combined with a low
thermal envelope of 12-25 watts provides high performance processing in ultra-dense equipment. Improved performance and
power utilisation from a 1MB, power managed L2 cache, coupled with advanced instruction prediction enable the product to
operate more efficiently and process data faster for applications such as security, media servers and signaling.
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology allows the processor to run in reduced power mode, providing energy conservation
on-the-fly when application demand is reduced. This is specifically useful in products such as media servers that
support call centers where call volume might be lower at night. The Intel Pentium M processor form factor is also ideal
for use on CompactPCI* and Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture* (AdvancedTCA) boards.
Pricing and Availability The Intel Pentium M processor is available now in two versions for extended lifecycle support.
The 1.60 GHz version is priced at $US625. The Low Voltage Intel Pentium M processor at 1.10 GHz is available at $US257.
Both prices are based on 10,000-unit quantities.
About Intel
Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications
products. Additional information about Intel is available at http://www.intel.com/pressroom.
Intel, Pentium and SpeedStep are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the
United States and other countries.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.