Intel Xeon processors target embedded computing

Intel Corp. brought out the first quad-core processors for embedded computing—the Quad-Core Xeon processor 5300 series with extended life cycle support.

Speaking at last week's Embedded Systems Conference, Doug Davis, VP and general manager of Intel's embedded and communications group, said the quad-core processors offer performance increase of up to 55 percent and a fourfold performance-per-watt increase when compared with the dual-core processors for embedded applications that Intel introduced last year.

The Xeon E5335 and E5345 offer dual-processing capabilities providing up to eight cores per platform. According to Intel, the E5345 runs at up to 2.33GHz while the E5335 runs at up to 2GHz.

5-7 years availability
Davis said the most significant aspect to Intel's commitment to support the quad-cores for embedded computing is that the company is committed to maintaining production for a minimum of five to seven years. Customers "can't rip up the digital infrastructure every few years to take advantage of these new technologies," he said.

Davis said that following Intel's introduction of dual-core processors for embedded computing in February 2006, he'd been surprised by the way customers quickly took advantage of the parallel processing attributes to create new applications. While the immediate tendency might be to question the need for such high performance in embedded applications, Davis said, the performance is ideal for intense computing and I/O intensive workloads within high-end communications and enterprise systems, including rack-mount and blade servers, NAS and SAN systems and medical imaging equipment.

According to Intel, the devices offer 8Mbytes of L2 cache and front-side bus speeds of 1333MHz.

IP Network Server NSC2U
In addition to the quad-core embedded processors, Intel also announced the IP Network Server NSC2U. Both new products utilize Intel's latest advanced hardware technologies, including the company's virtualization technology and I/O acceleration technology.

The IP Network Server NSC2U, which is powered by two 5300 series processors, enables high I/O throughput and performance capabilities suited for a variety of network-centric applications, from security intrusion prevention to telecommunications services-over-IP, including IMS, IPTV and video on demand, Intel said.

Quad-core Intel Xeon processors E5335 and E5345 are available immediately starting at $690. The Intel IP Network Server NSC2U is targeted for availability in July, the company said.

- Dylan McGrath
EE Times