Intel embeds Clovertown

INTEL IS TALKING about two new embedded parts today and a host of other things alongside. These range from chips to servers to business processes. And there's an expensive motorcycle to top it off.

First up is embedded Clovertown, AKA the E5335 and E5345 CPUs. For those not memorising the Intel parts codes of the week, this means 80W TDP at 2.0 and 2.33GHz with the full complement of Clovertown features. This is the first CPU of its power, both wattage and MIPS wise, to be released as an embedded part. They will run $690 if you buy 1000.

One thing to note, these CPUs are pretty standard Clovertowns, they all come in S771, have no packaging changes, and are interchangable with the normal parts. You can't solder them down to the board, they must be used with the socket, something that seems to be a problem with all S771 parts.

What the embedded CPU gets you is a promise for long life. If you build things based on this roadmap, Intel will guarantee you they will be available for 5-7 years. Considering how long a normal CPU lives, this is quite a long time.

This commitment is necessary for entry into the embedded market. Intel has been playing in embedded devices since 1977, a bit before PCs shipped, so they know the game pretty well. For Intel, the PC market is the new kid on the block.

Of slightly more interest is the way Intel classifies embedded devices, not by the CPU wattage but by the overall system power use. They have three ranges, 15-75W for the low, 50-200W in the middle, and 200+ for the high end. Guess which Clovertown falls into?

To drive this point home, Intel is also putting out the Intel IP Network Server NSC2U. It is a quad core Core Core number numeral Core based product that is meant for telecom and other embedded apps. While it may not have the sheer coolness of many Win Enterprises designs (poke around this site, you will be glad you did), it looks to be a solid workhorse building block.

One of the other things that Intel is touting is quicker time to market for embedded parts. Like the 5-7 year lifespan instead of the standard 18 months, this is another big change. Intel is now trying to get parts certified for embedded in two months or so from release as a normal product.

For sectors that are hot on performance, routing and security being big ones, this is a huge win. They can use more or less modern parts as embedded, along with all the attendant technologies that go with them.

Last up we have a showcase for all of this, the new Intel Chopper. It is a bike that combines the Intel embedded parts with a showy loud expensive thing that makes people drool even if they can't ride a bike to save their lives.

Like the pimped out Chrysler of Craig "C-Dawg" Barrett, Intel's Doug "D-Money" Davis will be taking the wraps off this today at the Embedded Systems Conference, yo. It is a core Core number numeral dual core CPU with no dash other than a flat panel monitor.

It was made with Orange County Choppers and Black Diamond, starting life as a Harley of some sort. It has two V-Twin engines to make a V-Quad but ironically it has a dual core CPU. It is started with fingerprint recognition, and has cameras, sensors and even a computer operated kickstand.

You can pull out the 'dash' and take it with you, but it will be far less of an ultra-mobile PC without the ~250Bhp or so of the bike. It is a showcase for tech, and it looks to accomplish that goal.

You can also get cutting edge parts in embedded form with little lag over their normal counterparts. The designs are available from Intel or many others, pick a box or roll your own. Either way, they will be more than happy to sell you the CPUs for 5-7 years. µ