MOBLIN ZONE

Earlier this year, Intel unveiled a new handheld platform codenamed “Moorestown” designed for MIDs and smartphones.  Details of the platform were further discussed at the recent Intel Developer Forum (IDF).  Essentially the platform will enable the types of rich Internet experiences previously associated with desktops and laptops in handheld formats.

Moorestown combines a System on Chip (SoC) codenamed “Lincroft” with an I/O Platform Controller Hub (I/O-PCH) codenamed “Langwell”, a fully integrated Mixed Signal IC (MSIC) codenamed “Briertown”, and Intel’s next-generation wireless chipset codenamed “Evan’s Peak”.

“Power management integration and Langwell allowed us to shrink the platform so it could fit in truly pocketable devices,” said Shreekant “Ticky” Thakkar, Intel fellow, Mobility Group and Director of UMG Platform Architecture.  “The result is higher performance and lower power consumption.”

Lincroft addresses the two critical mobile device design concerns Thakkar identified:  High performance and low power consumption.  It combines a 45nm Intel® Atom™ processor core with graphics and video engines, as well as memory and display controllers on a single chip.  Lincroft also supports a wide range of frequencies while maintaining low power requirements, reduces CPU-to-memory bus latency and is capable of delivering power boosts on demand. By integrating critical functions on the latest 45nm process, Moorestown is able to boost performance/power efficiency for a full Internet experience on-the-go.

Langwell is an Input/Output Platform Controller Hub (I/O-PCH) that includes a system controller, solid state disk controller and a number of I/O blocks that connect to various wireless networks and peripherals such as a camera and storage.  It also incorporates several board-level functions on a single chip.

Aggressive use of Distributed Power Gating across power islands on the Lincroft SoC makes it possible to achieve new thresholds in platform idle power by shutting off parts not in active use.  The Langwell I/O-PCH interfaces with a dedicated MSIC (Mixed Signal IC) – Briertown -- which plays a key role in efficient power delivery and enabling power gating on Moorestown platform. By shutting down transistors when not in use, power leakage goes down and battery life goes up. The MSIC also enables faster transitions in and out of power states, allowing for more frequent and longer residency in ultra-low-power saving states. 

Intel is also using high-k transistors to address power leakage.  (“High-k” aka high dielectric constant is a measure of how much charge a material can hold).  As the size of transistors shrink, leakage currents increase.  Intel is using new material to solve the problem, specifically hafnium to replace the transistor's silicon dioxide gate dielectric and new metals to replace the polysilicon gate electrode of NMOS and PMOS transistors (n-type and p-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (aka MOSFETs).

“The goal is to reduce power by shutting off devices on a chip that are not needed,” said Thakkar.  “When you reduce core geometries from 65nm to 45nm to 32nm, power leakage as a percentage of power consumption becomes significant.”

Intel is working with industry leaders to provide people with an always connected experience using devices based on the Moorestown platform. Moorestown-based devices will feature 3G/HSPA modules from Option* and Ericsson*. Moorestown will also support Intel’s next- generation WiMAX or 4G technology codenamed “Evans Peak.”

While the hardware is shrinking, so is the operating system kernel which enables even smaller designs. For example, Moorestown reduces board size by 2x compared to Menlow. 

Thakkar said, “The difference between MIDs and smart phones is most evident in how you use them.  MIDs are really portable Internet devices.  Smartphones provide access to data but are also expected to provide voice calling capabilities.” 

“Menlow had a significant number of devices that were [scattered] around the main chips,” said Thakkar.  “Our goals were to shrink the size of the board and [to provide] better power management to achieve higher performance.”

What’s Next

Moore’s Law is still alive and well at Intel.  The company has already achieved 32nm designs and 22nm designs will follow.

Thakkar underscored that Moorestown’s Lincroft, which uses a 45nm core, is well ahead of Menlow in terms of size reduction, performance and power management.  Next up is the “Medfield” platform which is the successor to Moorestown.  Medfield is targeted at 32nm smart phone designs.

“Intel is driven by Moore’s Law:  Every two years we come out with a new technology,” said Thakkar.  “We announced 45nm designs in 2007 and now there are hundreds of millions of devices out in the market.”

Coming up with new ideas is not a problem at Intel if the number of patents and Intel fellows is any indication.  (Thakkar personally holds 64 patents and has 15 pending.)  Were it not for systematized processes, rigorous quality control, and production details like debugging and tapeout, the rate of innovation would likely be even more dizzying. 

As always, Intel’s technological envelope-pushing is good news for device manufacturers, developers and service providers in the mobile space who seek to keep pace with if not influence consumer desires.    Already Intel is collaborating with Option and Ericsson to develop HSPA 3G data modules that are optimized for the Moorestown platform so MID users can enjoy always-on Internet experiences.

* All names and brands are the property of their respective owners.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Lisa Morgan is an independent high tech management and marketing consultant who creates content and provides commentary to print and broadcast media.

Related Links

JKKMobile: Intel Q&A at Computex 

http://jkkmobile.blogspot.com/2009/06/intel-moorestown-q-at-computex-2009.html                                              

Intel Demonstrates World's First Working 'Moorestown' Platform

http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20081019comp.htm                                        

JKK  Mobile: Intel Q&A at Computex                                                                                        http://jkkmobile.blogspot.com/2009/06/intel-moorestown-q-at-computex-2009.html

Intel Demonstrates World's First Working 'Moorestown' Platform  

http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20081019comp.htm