Intel has revelaed its plans to develop latest system-on-chip (SoC) products, featuring Intel Atom processor core for embedded applications, in an effort to enable homes and small businesses to efficiently manage energy usage.
Intel said that the new SoC will enable other companies create PCI Express-compliant devices that directly connect to the chip, which offers new flexibility for embedded applications, such as IP phones, printers and in-vehicle-infotainment systems for cars.
In addition to the Intel Atom processor core, the SoC which is code named as Tunnel Creek will also feature memory controller hub, graphics engine and video engine, and will use a standard interconnect to the processor, the company said.
The chip will also enable companies to connect their own custom-built silicon to the Intel chip as long as it is a PCI Express compliant, and this flexibility helps reduce bill of materials and saves on board real estate for embedded applications, the company claims.
Intel also announced that it will partnering with China Mobile Research Institute in developing its next generation wireless network infrastructure to help move China Mobile into a ‘compute and cloud’ model.
Cui Chunfeng, manager of wireless research labs, department of wireless communications at China Mobile, said: China Mobile has been researching a new Radio Access Network architecture that is intended to provide our broadband wireless network the benefits of world class energy efficiency, reduced total cost of ownership, and high performance, while having the flexibility to allocate infrastructure resources to varying network load conditions.
Cui said: To accomplish this vision we want to utilize Intel architecture in our next generation infrastructure, and tap into the flexibility, scalability and fast rate of innovation of using a software-defined architecture.
Justin Rattner, Chief Technology Officer of Intel and managing director of Intel Labs, said: Individual consumers must have the information, tools and incentives to conserve scarce energy resources, minimise their carbon impact and keep their energy budgets under control. If we can make energy more personalised with real-time information and offer visual tools that engage entire communities, it will lead to valuable changes in behaviour and save staggering amounts of energy.
The company said that their researchers have invented an experimental, low-cost new wireless sensor to make the collection of energy data easy and inexpensive for consumers by plugging the device into the house wiring to instantaneously measure and wirelessly report the power consumption of each electrical load in the home.
A working prototype of an Intel-powered home energy display has also been demonstrated by Rattner. The display when coupled with the wireless energy sensor, would monitor performance, recommend solutions for more efficient usages, set goals, and reward success.
