National goes after information appliances with new low-power Geode processor

National goes after information appliances with new low-power Geode processor
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- National Semiconductor Corp. here today announced a processor designed specifically for information appliances, with very low power consumption, high performance, and x86 multimedia architecture.

The Geode GX1 processor functionality includes the Pentium-class processor, display controller with 2D accelerator, system memory, and PCI bus host controller. Typical power consumption -- which includes the CPU and its on-chip peripherals -- is between 0.8 and 1.2 watts. Full-on power consumption ranges from 1.4 to 2.4 W.

The Geode GX1 and its companion device, the Geode CS5530, provide a scalable, low-power, system-level solution for personal access devices, digital set-top boxes or thin clients, National said.

National is using its 0.18 micron process for the new chip, providing improved clock speed and lower power consumption. This also helps reduce the size of the chip for space-critical information appliances, such as wireless WebPAD devices and thin clients.

Its x86 core provides a "no-compromise Internet experience" because it can support popular software plug-in modules for the Internet, said Mike Polacek, vice president of National's Information Appliance Division.

"Analysts forecast the Information Appliance market will approach 100 million units in the next few years and National is the semiconductor company best positioned to take advantage of this new product explosion," said Polacek. "The GX1 device will help achieve this by offering the bestcombination of cost, size, performance and power consumption to the information appliance market."

The National Geode GX1 processor is currently shipping in volume in EBGA and CPGA packages. Pricing information was unavailable but the company said it is "extremely competitive."