With the debut of the configurable Intel Atom processor E600C series, Intel is making it easier for customers to go-to-market with differentiated, custom-made designs.

The company today announced the configurable Intel Atom processor E600C series, which features an Intel Atom E600 processor (formerly codenamed "Tunnel Creek") paired with an Altera Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in a single package.

The new Intel Atom processor provides greater flexibility and faster time-to-market for intel's customers, who can now more readily handle design changes without complicated hardware changes ? helping to lower development costs. In addition, the new processor offers board space savings and better inventory control due to the single package, as well as a simplified manufacturing flow and single vendor support through Intel.

Based on Intel architecture, the Intel Atom E600C processor series provides original equipment manufacturers with the flexibility to incorporate a wide range of standard and user-defined I/O interfaces, high-speed connectivity, memory interfaces and process acceleration to meet the evolving needs of embedded device market segments.

The single package (37.5 x 3.5 mm, 0.8 mm ball pitch) multi chip device internally connects the Intel Atom processor E6xx (44 nm processor core, 512K L2 cache, 24K data, 32K instruction L1 cache) with a user-programable FPGA. The chip also includes 3D graphics, video encode/decode (Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 600)as well as memory and display controllers (support of DDR2 800 MT/S memory). Intel Hyper-Treading and Virtualization Technologies are also supported.



Formerly codenamed "Stellarton," the Intel Atom processors E665CT (1.3GHz core, 400MHz graphics, 3.6W TDP), E645CT (1.0GHz core, 320MHz graphics, 3.6W TDP), E665C (1.3GHz core, 400MHz graphics, 3.6W TDP), and E645C (1.0GHz core, 320MHz graphics, 3.6W TDP) are scheduled to be available within 60 days. The E625CT (0.6 GHz core, 320MHz graphics, 2.7W TDP) and E625C (0.6 GHz core, 320MHz graphics, 2.7W TDP) are on track to be available in the first quarter of 2011. Prices range from $61 to $106 in quantities of 1,000.

Kontron, an embedded computing technology solutions manufacturer, has Atom processor E600C-based prototype boards available now, with full production beginning in the second quarter of 2011.

Intel expects demand for embedded chips to grow in the following years. In September, Intel unveiled processors aimed at in-car computers and web-television, and last week, the company said it bought CognoVision, a Canadian start-up that makes digital signs, another major destination for embedded silicon.

Intel is also rushing to build market share in smartphones and tablets, a market dominated by ARM, which licenses designs for energy-efficient chips to Nvidia, Marvell Technology and Qualcomm.

Intel will also release a new chip aimed at tablets, code-named Oak Trail in early 2011. The chip will have improved power consumption and be more competitive, according to Intel.