National Semiconductor, the company that popularised the concept of Web PAD Internet appliances is using fewer chips in its next-generation Internet appliance processor.
National Semi's Geode SC3200 stresses integration and promises low-priced, high-speed Net appliances.
The company calls it a "system on a chip" since it integrates features from four chips -- the same processor core as its predecessor, a video processor, memory controller and input/output controller -- on a single microprocessor.
In a separate announcement, National Semi introduced its Geode SC1200 and Geode SC2200 chips for set-top boxes and network terminals. Both are similar in design to the Geode SC3200 but integrate different features for use with separate applications.
Geode SC3200 customers will be able to design systems with only a handful of chips -- possibly as few as three -- where before they had to use as many as six or seven, including radio frequency, firmware and audio chips.
Integration means the new processor will have on-board support for graphics processing, input/output, plus PCI, IDE hard drive connection and Universal Serial Bus, among other things. Integration also will mean lower-cost systems, reduced power consumption and the ability to produce smaller Net appliances, National Semi said.
System on a chip
"We're trying to optimise the overall system cost by taking a system-level approach," said Mal Humphrey, director of the company's Web personal access device and residential gateway divisions.
The new chip will also help National Semi to keep a firm grip on the Internet appliance market, said Humphrey, noting the company's 120 design wins with early-sampling versions of Geode SC3200 and its predecessor, the Geode GX1.
Competitors in the market include Transmeta -- whose chips are being used in the much-publicised America Online/Gateway, Net appliances (due later 2000)and to a lesser extent, Intel's StrongARM and Celeron chips.
The Geode SC3200 200MHz and 233MHz consume less than four watts of power and power consumption averages two watts of power or less. The chip will cost less than US$50 when purchased in quantities of 10,000 or more.
What's next?
National Semi will continue to evolve its Geode chip, Humphrey said. "What we see as the next step is (integration of) the connectivity piece."
National Semi is also considering whether to integrate radio-frequency technologies, such as 802.11 or Bluetooth, into future Geode chips. On the other hand, audio features will likely remain separate.
Prices are expected to range widely and will depend on whether the Net appliances are stand-alone Web terminals or mobile Web PADs. The terminals will cost up to US$500 while mobile Web PADs, with more expensive screens, radios and batteries, will start at roughly US$1,000.
