Atom (system on a chip)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 50.53.15.51 (talk) at 22:28, 24 November 2012 (Undid revision 522828847 by User931 (talk) Medfield and Clover Trail are NOT the SoC processor codenames! e.g., http://ark.intel.com/products/70105 clearly lists codename for Z2760 as Cloverview). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about system on chips designed for smartphones and tablets. For the line of processors, see Intel Atom.

In 2012, Intel expanded the Atom processor family with a new system on chip (SoC) platform designed for smartphones and tablets.[1] It is a continuation of the partnership announced by Intel and Google on 13 September 2011, to provide support for the Android operating system on Intel x86 processors.[2]

Atom competes with existing SoCs developed for the smartphone and tablet market from companies like Texas instruments, Nvidia, Qualcomm and Samsung.[3] Unlike these companies, which use ARM-based CPUs designed from the beginning to consume very low power, Intel has adapted the x86 based Atom line CPU developed for low power usage in netbooks, to even lower power usage.

In April 2012, several manufacturers have released Intel Atom-based phones; as a result of testing industry reviewers came to conclusion that Atom SoC-based smartphones can compete both power-wise and performance-wise with currently dominating ARM-based smartphones.

List of Intel Atom SoCs

Model Number Semiconductor Technology CPU Instruction Set CPU CPU Cache GPU Memory Technology Availability Utilizing Devices
Atom Z2460 (codenamed Penwell; Medfield platform)[4] 32 nm High-k/metal gate x86 1.6–2 GHz single-core Saltwell with HT[5] L1: 32kB Instruction + 24kB Data, L2: 512kB PowerVR SGX 540 @ 400 MHz[4] 32-bit Dual-channel 400 MHz LPDDR2 (6.4 GB/sec)[6] Q2 2012
Atom Z2760 (codenamed Cloverview; Clover Trail platform)[12] 32 nm High-k/metal gate x86 1.8 GHz dual-core Saltwell with HT L1: 32kB Instruction + 24kB Data, L2: 512kB (per core) PowerVR SGX 545 @ 533 MHz[13][14] 32-bit Dual-channel 400 MHz LPDDR2 (6.4 GB/sec)[15] Q4 2012

Testing of Atom SoC Phones

In April 2012, Lava Xolo X900 phone has been released as a first Intel Medfield phone.[30] In industry reviews it has been mentioned that Lava Xolo X900 proves that popular statement "Intel can't make smartphones" is wrong, and that "Intel is going to power smartphones, and it’s going to be competitive in that space."[31] It has also been mentioned that power-wise Intel Medfield-based smartphones have been shown to be competitive with ARM-based ones: "The x86 power myth is finally busted. [...] If you've been expecting the first x86 smartphone to end up at the bottom of every battery life chart, you'll be sorely disappointed."[30] Z2760 scored a 679 in the Passmark benchmark test. [32]

Operating System Support on Cloverview

While Penwell SoC supports, in addition to Microsoft Windows, both Linux and Android operating systems, Intel has announced that it won't provide support for Linux on Cloverview family of Atom SoCs.[33][34] This announcement has caused strong negative reaction from open source proponents.[35] A few days later Intel issued a statement saying that it has “plans for another version of this platform directed at Linux/Android"[36][35]

New Power States on Cloverview

See also: Processor states

Z2760 Cloverview has introduced two new power states: S0i1 and S0i3.[37] The S0i1 state is intended to be used when the display is on but the user does not actively interact with the device; it consumes power in mW range, and can be entered/left in microseconds. The S0i3 state is intended to be used when the device display is off; it consumes power in microWatt range, and can be entered/left in milliseconds. As a result, Intel claims longer standby battery life (up to three weeks for a typical tablet).[37]

Roadmap

In May 2011, Intel has announced an accelerated roadmap for Atom SoC, with 22 nm Silvermont core scheduled in 2013, and 14 nm Airmont core scheduled in 2014.[38]

It has been reported that Silvermont-based Atom SoCs will be named Valleyview, will be available in single-, dual- and quad-core versions, and will include Intel's 7th generation GPU, allowing for 4-7× improvement over existing Atom GPUs.[39][40]

See also

Similar platforms

References

  1. ^ http://newsroom.intel.com/community/intel_newsroom/blog/2012/01/10/intel-raises-bar-on-smartphones-tablets-and-ultrabook-devices
  2. ^ http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/75681/intel-google-announce-partnership-for-android-smartphones
  3. ^ Sadauskas, Andrew (30 April 2012). "Intel battles ARM with new handset". smartcompany.com.au. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. ^ a b http://download.intel.com/newsroom/kits/ces/2012/pdfs/AtomprocessorZ2460.pdf
  5. ^ http://download.intel.com/newsroom/kits/ces/2012/pdfs/AtomprocessorZ2460.pdf
  6. ^ http://download.intel.com/newsroom/kits/ces/2012/pdfs/AtomprocessorZ2460.pdf
  7. ^ Intel-inside Lenovo K800 phone coming next week. CNET
  8. ^ XOLO X900 specifications
  9. ^ Intel-based MegaFon Mint arrives on Russia's second largest carrier, swiftly benchmarked. PhoneArena
  10. ^ ZTE Grand X IN. CNET
  11. ^ Motorola Hits 2GHz with Intel Powered RAZR i.AnandTech
  12. ^ http://download.intel.com/newsroom/kits/atom/z2760/pdfs/Intel-Atom-Z2760_FactSheet.pdf
  13. ^ http://download.intel.com/newsroom/kits/atom/z2760/pdfs/Intel-Atom-Z2760_FactSheet.pdf
  14. ^ http://www.anandtech.com/show/6340/intel-details-atom-z2760-clovertrail-for-windows-8-tablets
  15. ^ http://www.anandtech.com/show/6340/intel-details-atom-z2760-clovertrail-for-windows-8-tablets
  16. ^ ASUS Vivo Tab Hands-On. Thoughts about the Atom-based Options. Ultrabook News
  17. ^ http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-VivoTab-Smart-hands-on_id35835
  18. ^ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9232812/Asus_announces_sub_500_Windows_8_tablet?taxonomyId=12
  19. ^ Intel sets Windows 8 tablet event with HP, *Samsung, others. cnet
  20. ^ http://www8.hp.com/us/en/ad/envy-x2/specs.html
  21. ^ http://www8.hp.com/us/en/ad/elitepad/specs.html
  22. ^ http://www.dell.com/us/soho/p/latitude-10-tablet/pd?~ck=anav
  23. ^ Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 with Cover Trail & Windows 8 Hands On. MobileGeeks
  24. ^ http://www.theverge.com/products/ideatab-lynx/6193
  25. ^ Samsung Reveals Additional Details on Series 5 and 7 Slates and Ultrabooks. AnandTech
  26. ^ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/samsung-announces-series-5-slate-series-7-slate/
  27. ^ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/samsung-unveils-ativ-smart-pc-and-smart-pc-pro-with-detachable-k/
  28. ^ Acer shares Windows 8 tablet pricing. TechJungle
  29. ^ http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/27/zte-shows-off-the-v98-windows-8-slate-we-go-hands-on/
  30. ^ a b Lava Xolo X900 Review - The First Intel Medfield Phone. AnandTech
  31. ^ Going Xolo: Intel’s first x86 Medfield smartphone reviewed. ExtremeTech
  32. ^ Atom Z2760 Benchmark. Mobilityupdate
  33. ^ IDF: Intel says Clover Trail will not work with Linux. TheInquirer
  34. ^ Intel declares Clover Trail Atom processor a "no Linux" zone. ArsTechnica
  35. ^ a b Intel: ‘Clover Trail’ Atom Chips Will Support Linux, Android. TechWeek europe
  36. ^ Intel reverses course, bringing Android to Clover Trail chips for tablets. PC Advisor
  37. ^ a b Meet Clover Trail, Intel's chip for mid-range Windows 8 tablets and hybrids. PC World
  38. ^ Updated: Intel rewrites Atom road map. EETimes
  39. ^ Intel quad-core SoC processors detailed in leaked documents. ZDNet
  40. ^ Details on Intel's Valleyview SoC Emerge: 22nm Atom with Ivy Bridge Graphics. AnandTech
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