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Pentium® Processors Appear in Unexpected Places
Where High Performance is the Design Goal

A point of sale terminal with video capability is a far cry from the cash register of old. Its cutting edge capabilities are made possible by a Pentium® processor.

An automated controller at an ultra-modern sawmill calculates the most profitable cuts from saw logs, differentiate between timber and waste and controls the saws, all in a few seconds of real time. It's yet another job for the Pentium processor.

These demanding high-performance embedded applications and a lot more are using the Pentium processor somewhat sooner than anyone expected. Intel Embedded Computing Operation General Manager Doug Davis explains the reasons why.

Improving the time-to-market advantage "The embedded performance treadmill is moving faster than ever", Davis says. "The application segments using 80C186, Intel386™ and Intel486™ processors are still growing. In addition, we're starting to see a huge influx of embedded designs using the high performance capabilities of the Pentium processor. Utilization of existing PC technology enables designers to improve their time-to-market advantage.

A recent Market Strategies survey of more than 300 design engineers who use the Intel architecture showed some interesting results:

  • More than 50 percent are using or planning to use the Pentium processor in high performance designs;
  • More than 60 percent of those chose the Pentium processor for its processing power.

    Design engineers also chose the Pentium processor for a number of other reasons. Heading the list: familiar PC technology (16.8 percent), continuous product roadmap (13 percent) and best technology fit (12.5 percent).

    Intel Support for High Performance Embedded Applications
    To make the Pentium processor an even better choice for embedded designers, Intel plans to support its life-cycle beyond the cycle for desktop processors. What's more, Intel supports designers with specific application support, in addition to a growing number of tools, BIOS and operating system solutions available from third-party sources.

    New high performance applications where the Pentium processor is being used include:

  • Telecommunications
  • Avionics
  • Computer networking
  • Industrial control
  • Data processing
  • Automotive

    Internet appliances
    Intel offers three versions of the Pentium processor and two chipsets for these and other high-performance embedded applications. Using proven PC technology in embedded applications lets designers quickly build products around well-understood PC platforms. Rather than starting from scratch, OEMs in many cases can focus their resources on product differentiation.

    In addition to the high-performance processors and chipsets now appearing in embedded applications, Intel will continue to support designers with the entire Intel architecture product line, including the Intel386 EX and Intel486 GX processors.

    And that's not all. Intel architecture provides designers with a complete platform solution that reduces the total cost of system ownership. These solutions include BIOS, operating systems and third-party board solutions.

    For More Information...
    Pentium processor in high performance embedded apps


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