The PC Platform

PC Platform technologies make personal computers easier to use and more environmentally friendly. For example, with Plug and Play technology implemented, users no longer have to worry about configuring their PC enhancement cards. The Smart Battery technology increases battery life for portable computers and reduces power consumption for desktop computers.

The Audio Codec '97 (AC'97) Component Specification creates a standard for audio hardware vendors and system OEMs to design very high quality (90 dB SNR) audio hardware.

Graphics Controller '97 (GC'97) is a design guide to help graphics Independent Hardware Vendors (IHVs) optimize their products to enable emerging applications for the Intel platform in 2H'97 and into '98. Also, it is a tool to help PC OEMs understand the direction of graphics sybsystems, and the associated features/capabilities.

The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) interface specification allows graphics hardware vendors and system OEMs to design hardware to greatly increase 3D performance on PCs at all price points.

InstantON's task scheduling and power management makes your PC always available. If your PC supports power management, don't turn it off... switch it to low power. Schedule system tools like ScanDisk to run late at night and leave your PC in low power in the meantime; your PC saves power and still wakes up to receive an incoming FAX or when you move the mouse.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a new peripheral interface which provides a low-cost way to connect the PC to telephony and multimedia I/O devices such as keyboards, mice, speakers, and graphic tablets, curtailing the proliferation of dedicated ports on the PC. A Universal Host Controller Interface (UHCI) Design Guide is available for hardware designers to aid in the implementation of Universal Serial Bus (USB) Host controllers. To register for future updates of the Design Guide, send your name, company name, mailing address, email address, and phone number to PCI_Reply@ccm.fm.intel.com.

Power Management technology increases battery life for portable computers and reduces power consumption for energy-efficient desktop computers.

Common Data Security Architecture (CDSA) Specifications introduced to provide a data security and encryption industry standard.

The I2O initiative is an effort of server, networking and operating system leaders to adopt a standardized intelligent I/O specification. By offloading interrupt-intensive I/O tasks from the host CPU, intelligent I/O subsystems on servers and adapter cards enable better system performance and allow the end-user faster access and manipulation of text, graphic, video and audio data. Intel's new i960(r) RP processor, with an on-chip PCI-to-PCI bridge is specifically designed for I2O-specification compliance and is well-suited to PCI-based motherboards and adapter cards.

The Desktop Management Interface allows desktop computers, hardware and software products, and peripherals to be manageable and intelligent-- whether they are standalone systems or linked into networks.

Plug and Play Technology makes personal computers easier to use by automating the process of configuring devices added to the PC. With Plug and Play technology implemented, users no longer have to worry about assigning IRQs, I/O addresses, and DMA channels to PC enhancement cards.

These documents provide additional information for developers to aid improving the PC Platform:

• The PentiumŪ Pro Server Resource Directory is an on-line reference directory listing and linking to independent hardware vendors supplying server motherboards storage controllers, and LAN adapters.
• Technical documentation for Intel motherboard products
• White paper on "Designing A Low Cost, High Performance Platform For MPEG-1 Video Playback", December 1995
• White paper on "Choosing a Platform Architecture for Cost Effective MPEG-2 Video Playback", April 1996.
• The Motherboard Development Tools page provides a list of tools for developing Pentium and Pentium Pro processor-based motherboards.
• The MultiProcessor Specification provides the central point of reference for companies interested in the development of multi-processor (MP) systems based on the Intel Architecture. The MP specification defines requirements which can be used to blend platform hardware, BIOS and operating system components into finished MP systems capable of running shrinkwrap operating systems and applications. This specification has been developed by Intel in close consultation with many OEM, BIOS and OSV companies. The MP Specification represents a broad industry consensus on the development of Intel-based MP systems.
• The PCI Technology Briefing tells you about the PCI local bus technology. Jointly developed by Intel and other industry leaders, it's designed for current and next-generation PCs. PCI picks up where earlier bus architectures leave off, providing greater system performance via a wider data path and increased expandability.
• ATX specification: a new open specification for baseboards that will enable PC manufacturers to improve ease-of-use, reduce system level cost, and improve system I/O expandability.