TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Via Technologies Inc. claimed that it has launched the industry's lowest power X86-compatible embedded platform, aiming at the information appliance (IA) and home entertainment markets.
Dubbed "Eden," the platform offers high performance and consumes about 6 watts of power, the least among rival products, according to the core-logic chipset designer. Eden will compete with the Geode line of National Semiconductor Corp., Santa Clara, Calif., and the SiS550 family of Silicon Integrated Systems, Hsinchu, Taiwan, among others, some analysts said.
The platform "brings to the industry for the first time a truly open and comprehensive x86 embedded multimedia platform based on proven market-leading technology that will drive rapid new product innovation," Via's president and chief executive Chen Wen-chi said at a press conference here today.
The new platform, which offers integrated north bridge and south bridge chipset options, is targeting OEM customers in the U.S., mainland China and Europe, said Frank Jeng, marketing director of the Taipei-based company. Product introductions by the customers are expected as soon as end of this month, although Jeng declined to comment on shipment volumes.
Via's potential customers also include Taiwan PC manufacturers, which contribute more than half of the output worldwide. "The PC makers have purchased X86 embedded systems from overseas suppliers. Via wants to convince them that a local company like Via can offer lower prices and better after-sales services," said Thomas Ho, an analyst with BNP Paribas Peregrine Securities in Hong Kong.
The island will ship 14.55 million notebook PCs and 27.04 million desktops next year, growing 5.2% and 5.8% from 2001, respectively, according to the Market Intelligence Center, a Taipei-based research firm.
The Eden platform is designed to be used in connectivity products, such as home entertainment devices like set top boxes, game consoles, personal video recorders and home servers, and commercial applications like thin clients, POS terminals and routers.
Via said that the platform is fully compatible with a complete range of Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 9x, Embedded Windows, and Windows CE operating systems together with all the versions of Linux. Multimedia performance is further enhanced by Eden's integrated APG2X/4X graphics with full 3D/2D/video acceleration, it said.
The models that Via is shipping are VE1400, VE1500, VE2400, and VE2500, while VE1600 and VE2600 will be available in Q1, 2002.
RSS
Digital
FPGA startup crunch:
These articles are part of a series that examines the status of various FPGA startups in light of the economic recession. Startups Abound Logic, Achronix Semiconductor and Cswitch are all on the hot seat.
10 fab technologies on the hot seat:
There's trouble brewing in chip-making paradise. Delivery of chips at 32-nm and beyond won't be a cool breeze. EE Times has constructed the following list of 10 fab technologies that could make or break future IC scaling.
6 fab technologies on the bubble:
It isn't going to be a slam-dunk to deliver chips at 32-nm and beyond. See our story about 10 fab technologies on the hot seat. Then read this article: 6 technologies on the bubble.
Our take on Intel-River:
With its acquisition of embedded software leader Wind River Systems Inc., Intel Corp. has unambiguously signaled that it is again attempting to diversify beyond X86 processors. Here's our take on the deal.
CEVA's reversal:
When Gideon Wertheizer, CEVA's CEO, came to New York to ring the closing bell at Nasdaq to celebrate the company's 10th year anniversary, he talked about CEVA's 21.6 percent revenue growth in 2008.
Hot technologies to watch for in 2009:
Every technologist, marketer, industry analyst and reporter on a hunt for the next big thing is bracing for the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show scheduled less than a month away.
Top 20 predictions for semis in 2009:
To help sort out the confusion in the market, EE Times has released its own chip forecasts--and other predictions--for 2009. So, what will happen in analog, FPGAs, foundry, memory, MPUs and other sectors?
Silicon 60 version 8.0
The EE Times 60 Emerging Startups list, first published in April 2004, has been updated to version 8.0 to reflect the latest corporate, commercial, technology and market conditions.
RSS| 
Digital| 
Mobile
