Centrino
The Centrino brand represents Intel Wi-Fi and WiMAX adapters. It was formerly a platform-marketing initiative from Intel until January 7, 2010
Previously, the brand covered a particular combination of mainboard chipset, mobile CPU and wireless network interface in the design of a laptop. Intel claims systems equipped with these technologies deliver better performance, longer battery life and broad wireless network interoperability.
The new product line name for Intel wireless products is Intel Centrino Wireless.[1]
Intel Centrino
Wireless LAN | Chipset | Centrino | Processor | Codename | Release Date | Manufacturing
Technology |
Microarchitecture |
Intel
Wireless Products |
800 Series | Carmel | Intel Pentium M | Banias | 2003 | 130 nm | Intel P6 |
Dothan | 2004 | 90 nm | |||||
900 Series | Sonoma | 2005 | |||||
Napa | Intel Core Duo/Solo | Yonah | 2006 | 65 nm | |||
Intel Core 2 Duo/Solo | Merom | Intel Core | |||||
Santa Rosa | Intel Core 2 Duo | 2007 | |||||
Penryn | 2008 | 45 nm | |||||
4 Series | Montevina | ||||||
5 Series | Calpella | Intel Core i7/i7 Extreme Edition | Clarksfield | 2009 | Intel Nehalem | ||
Intel Core i3/i5/i7 | Arrandale | 2010 | 32 nm | ||||
6 Series | Huron River | Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i7 Extreme Edition | Sandy Bridge | 2011 | Intel Sandy Bridge | ||
7 Series | Chief River | Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i7 Extreme Edition | Ivy Bridge | 2012 | 22 nm | ||
8 Series | Shark Bay | Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i7 Extreme Edition | Haswell | 2013 | Intel Haswell | ||
9 Series | Crescent Bay | Intel Core M/i3/i5/i7 | Broadwell | 2014 | 14 nm | ||
10 Series | ? | Intel Core i3/i5/i7 | Skylake | 2015 | Intel Skylake | ||
11 Series | ? | Cannonlake | 2016 | 10 nm |
Notebook implementations
Carmel platform (2003)
Intel used "Carmel" as the codename for the first-generation Centrino platform, introduced in March 2003.
Centrino | Carmel platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel Mobile 855 Express series chipset (codenamed Odem or Montara with Intel Extreme Graphics 2), including ICH4M southbridge. |
Mobile processor | Processors - Socket 479 |
Wireless network | an Intel PRO/Wireless 2100B (codenamed Calexico) or later 2200BG mini-PCI Wi-Fi adapter (codenamed Calexico2). |
Industry-watchers initially criticized the Carmel platform for its lack of an IEEE 802.11g-solution, because many independent Wi-Fi chip-makers like Broadcom and Atheros had already started shipping 802.11g products. Intel responded that the IEEE had not finalized the 802.11g standard at the time of Carmel's launch, and that it only wanted to launch products based on a finalized standard. In early 2004, after the finalization of the 802.11g standard, Intel permitted an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG to substitute for the 2100. At the same time, they permitted the new Dothan Pentium M to substitute for the Banias Pentium M. Initially, Intel permitted only the 855GM chipset, which did not support external graphics. Later, Intel allowed the 855GME and 855PM chips, which did support external graphics, in Centrino laptops.
Despite criticisms, the Carmel platform won quick acceptance among OEMs and consumers. Carmel could attain or exceed the performance of older Pentium 4-M platforms, while allowing for laptops to operate for 4 to 5 hours on a 48 W-h battery. Carmel also allowed laptop manufacturers to create thinner and lighter laptops because its components did not dissipate much heat, and thus did not require large cooling systems.
Sonoma platform (2005)
Intel used Sonoma as the codename for the second-generation Centrino platform, introduced in January 2005.
Centrino | Sonoma platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel Mobile 915 Express series chipset (codenamed Alviso with Intel GMA 900), including ICH6M southbridge. |
Mobile processor | Processors - Socket 479
|
Wireless network | an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG or 2915ABG mini-PCI Wi-Fi adapter (both codenamed Calexico2). |
The Mobile 915 Express chipset, like its desktop version, supports many new features such as DDR2, PCI Express, Intel High Definition Audio, and SATA. Unfortunately, the introduction of PCI Express and faster Pentium M processors causes laptops built around the Sonoma platform to have a shorter battery-life than their Carmel counterparts; Sonoma laptops typically achieve between 3.5–4.6 hours of battery-life on a 53 W-h battery.
Napa platform (2006)
The codename Napa designates the third-generation Centrino platform, introduced in January 2006 at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show. The platform initially supported Intel Core Duo processors but the newer Core 2 Duo processors were launched and supported in this platform from July 27, 2006 onwards.
Centrino | Napa platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel Mobile 945 Express series chipset (codenamed Calistoga with Intel GMA 950), including ICH7M southbridge. |
Mobile processor | Processors - Socket M / Micro-FCBGA
|
Wireless network | an Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG mini-PCIe Wi-Fi adapter (codenamed Golan).
|
Intel uses Centrino Duo branding for laptops with dual-core Core Duo processors and retains the Centrino name for laptops with single core (Core Solo) processors. Some of the initial Core Duo laptops are still labeled as Intel Centrino rather than Centrino Duo.
Santa Rosa platform (2007)
The codename Santa Rosa refers to the fourth-generation Centrino platform, which was released on Thursday May 10, 2007.
Centrino | Santa Rosa platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel Mobile 965 Express series chipset (codenamed Crestline): GM965 with Intel GMA X3100 graphics technology or PM965 with discrete graphics, and ICH8M southbridge, 800 MT/s front side bus with Dynamic Front Side Bus Switching to save power during low utilization.
|
Mobile processor | Processors - Socket P / Socket M / Micro-FCBGA
|
Wireless network | an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN (a/b/g/draft-n) mini-PCIe Wi-Fi adapter (codenamed Kedron).
|
The Santa Rosa platform comes with dynamic acceleration technology, allowing single threaded applications to execute faster. When a single threaded application is running, the CPU can turn off one of its cores and overclock the active core. In this way the CPU maintains the same Thermal Profile as it would when both cores are active. Santa Rosa performs well as a mobile gaming platform due to its ability to switch between single threaded and multithreaded tasks.[7] Other power savings come from an Enhanced Sleep state where both the CPU cores and the chipset will power down.
The wireless chipset update was originally intended to include WWAN Internet access via HSDPA (3.5G), (codenamed Windigo) co-developed with Nokia.[8][9] After announcing a working partnership, both later retracted the deal citing the lack of a clear business case for the technology. Support for WiMAX (802.16) was originally scheduled for inclusion in Santa Rosa but was later delayed until Montevina in 2008.[8]
It is branded as "Centrino Pro" when combined with the enhanced security technologies Intel introduced with vPro and "Centrino Duo" when they are not used.[10]
Montevina platform (2008)
The codename Montevina refers to the fifth-generation Centrino platform, now formally named Centrino 2 to avoid confusion with previous Centrino platforms. It was scheduled for release at Computex Taipei 2008, which took place on June 3–7, 2008,[11] but was delayed until July 15, due to problems with integrated graphics and wireless certification.[12]
Centrino | Montevina platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel Mobile Express series 4 chipset (codenamed Cantiga; GL40, GS45, GM45, PM45) with Intel GMA X4500 graphics technology and ICH9M southbridge, 1066 MT/s (667 MT/s for GL40) FSB. The GM45/GS45 graphics core is clocked at 533 MHz and 400 MHz for GL40, which contains ten unified shaders, up from the eight provided by GMA X3100.
|
Mobile processor | Processors - Socket P / Socket M / Micro-FCBGA
|
Wireless network | Wireless Modules
|
It is branded as Centrino 2 vPro when combined with built-in security and manageability features technologies.
Calpella Platform (2009)
The codename Calpella refers to the sixth-generation Centrino platform. Though originally scheduled to premiere in Q3 2009 with the second iteration of Nehalem processors,[14] Intel had stated that due to pressure from computer manufacturers, they would delay the release of the platform until at least October 2009 (Q4 2009) to allow OEM partners to clear excess inventory of existing chips. This was believed to be spurred by the lowered demand due to unfavorable economic conditions throughout 2009.[15]
Centrino | Calpella platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel Mobile Express Series 5 chipset (PCHM codenamed Ibex Peak) with Intel HD Graphics technology that will allow for optimized decoding/encoding and editing/playback of H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video used in Blu-ray Discs and HD 1080p video, optimized for MPEG-2 (DVD) video playback and editing.
|
Mobile processor | Processors, based on Intel Nehalem microarchitecture[16]
|
Wireless network | Wireless Modules[17]
|
Huron River platform (2011)
The codename "Huron River" refers to the seventh-generation Centrino platform.
Centrino | Huron River platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel Mobile Express Series 6 chipset (PCHM codenamed Cougar Point[18]).
|
Mobile processor | Processors, based on Intel Sandy Bridge microarchitecture |
Wireless network | Wireless Modules
|
Chief River platform (2012)
The codename Chief River refers to the eighth-generation Centrino platform.
Centrino | Chief River platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel Mobile Express Series 7 chipset (PCHM codenamed Panther Point )
|
Mobile processor | Processors, based on Intel Ivy Bridge microarchitecture |
Wireless network | Wireless Modules
|
Shark Bay platform (2013)
The codename Shark Bay refers to the ninth-generation Centrino platform.
Centrino | Shark Bay platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel Mobile Express Series 8 chipset (PCHM codenamed Lynx Point)
|
Mobile processor | Processors, based on Intel Haswell microarchitecture |
Wireless network | Wireless Modules Wilkins Peak |
Mobile Internet Device
Menlow platform (2008)
On March 2, 2008, Intel introduced the Intel Atom processor brand[26] for a new family of low-power processor platforms. The components have thin, small designs and work together to "enable the best mobile computing and Internet experience" on mobile and low-power devices.
Intel's second generation MID platform (codenamed Menlow) contains a 45 nm Intel Atom processor (codenamed Silverthorne) which can run up to 2.0 GHz and a System Controller Hub (codenamed Poulsbo) which includes Intel HD Audio (codenamed Azalia).
Centrino | Menlow platform |
---|---|
Mobile chipset | an Intel SCH (codenamed Poulsbo) with integrated GMA 500 graphics (PowerVR SGX 535 based) |
Mobile processor | a 45 nm Intel Atom CPU (codenamed Silverthorne) |
Wireless network | a wireless radio |
This platform was initially branded as Centrino Atom but the logo was dropped in August 2008; the logo had caused confusion between laptop and MID with previous marketing of Centrino stating only Intel chipsets are being used. Hence MIDs will be branded as Atom to allow integration with other OEM chipsets for the low-end market.[27][28]
Intel Centrino Wireless
Intel Centrino Wireless is the brand for Intel Wi-Fi and WiMAX adapters. The product line includes:
- Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000
- Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200
- Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300
- Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250
Centrino with Intel vPro technology
Laptops with Intel vPro technology have hardware features that allow a system administrator to remotely access wired and wireless laptops for maintenance and servicing if the operating system is unresponsive or crashed and, when a laptop is connected to AC power (not on battery power), allow a sys-admin to remotely access the laptop when the system is asleep or laptop power is off. It is targeted more for businesses than consumers.[29]
- Centrino laptop with Intel vPro technology (Santa Rosa platform)
- Centrino 2 laptop with Intel vPro technology (Montevina platform)
Security technologies
Laptops with vPro have the typical dual-core or quad-core processor and wireless features of the Centrino family.
- The vPro technology built into the chipset adds management, security, and remote-deployment features for: monitoring laptops (protected event logs, access to BIOS settings, out-of-band alerting, protected data storage), maintaining and updating systems (access to protected system information, remote power up, console redirection), repairing systems (remote boot, console redirection, preboot access to BIOS settings, protected events logs), and securing systems (remote power up, hardware filters for network traffic, agent presence checks/triggers, out-of-band alerting).
- The 45 nm Centrino 2 package is based on the Penryn microprocessor and Q47/Q45 chipset. It includes a better graphics engine (integrated) than Centrino, and three key additional features: Transport Layer Security (TLS) secured communications over an open local area network (LAN) for wired laptops outside the corporate firewall (not supported for wireless states), support for Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP), and support for out-of-band management and security features in Sx (all sleep states) when the laptop is inside the corporate firewall.
See also
References
- ^ Connect with Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology
- ^ Intel dumbs down dual Santa Rosa cores with IDA - The INQUIRER
- ^ Intel 965 Express Chipset Family Datasheet - For the Intel 82Q965, 82Q963, 82G965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) and Intel 82P965 Memory Controller Hub (MCH)
- ^ Intel Santa Rosa Does Not Support DDR2-800
- ^ Flynn, Laurie J. (2007-09-18), Intel Previews a New Family of Power-Saving Chips, The New York Times, retrieved 2010-04-28
- ^ Rickwood, Lee, Intel Unveils Next Gen Processor, PCWorld.ca, retrieved 2007-05-09
- ^ Santa Rosa Revealed, TrustedReviews
- ^ a b Intel Wireless Connectivity Roadmap, The Register
- ^ Intel, NextGen feature Nokia chip, CNET
- ^ Santa Rosa officially dubbed Centrino Pro, Engadget
- ^ Kim, Arnold (2008-02-18), Intel Processors and Platform (Montevina) Due in June 2008, MacRumors.com
- ^ Kircos, Bill (2008-05-28), Intel Delays Next-Generation Centrino Chipset, pcmag.com
- ^ Tony Smith (2006-10-11), Intel to follow 'Santa Rosa' Centrino with 'Montevina', The Register
- ^ Intel to launch Calpella notebook platform in 3Q09, digitimes.com, 2008-08-05
- ^ Notebook vendors looking for delay of Intel's Calpella platform, digitimes.com, 2009-01-05
- ^ CPU list
- ^ Intel:不會再有Centrino 3平台 Centrino品牌被降格成網絡模組品牌, 電腦領域 HKEPC Hardware, 2009-08-05
- ^ Chipset list
- ^ Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300 Intel webpage, March 2011
- ^ Intel® Centrino® Advanced–N + WiMAX 6250 Intel webpage, March 2011
- ^ Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205 Intel webpage, March 2011
- ^ Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6230 Intel webpage, March 2011
- ^ Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N + WiMAX 6150 Intel webpage, March 2011
- ^ Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1030 Intel webpage, March 2011
- ^ Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000 Intel webpage, March 2011
- ^ Intel Announces Intel Atom Brand for New Family of Low-Power Processors
- ^ Intel Centrino Atom logo being dropped
- ^ Intel Drops Centrino Atom Brand After Five Months - Business Center - PC World
- ^ Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology and Intel Core2 processor with vPro technology (PDF), Intel, retrieved 2008-08-07