Technology Forum
New Generation Intel® Atom™ Platforms Unveiled By Gary Chung, R&D, Advantech
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mbedded platforms have evolved from their use in traditional applications in factory equipment control to present day ubiquitous deployment. In addition to achieving the computing capabilities of full-sized computers, embedded platforms also enjoy enormous advantages such as being low-cost and having smaller footprints. In light of the ongoing and increasingly popular debate over energy conservation and carbon reduction, the power saving offered by embedded platforms is just one benefit among many. In order to maximize application performance while meeting energy efficiency requirements, power consumption has become the focal point of attention in the process of designing embedded platforms. As an undisputed leader in the global computer industry, Intel® has introduced the Atom™ line of microprocessors, which has not only helped to achieve the goal of reducing power consumption while being environmentally friendly, but has also enabled a new generation of high-performance computing capabilities. This has provided a much-needed boost to the industrial computer industry with respect to environmental issues. The Intel® Atom™ line of microprocessor products uses N2000 and D2000 as its platform name for 2011. A distinguishing feature of this generation of microprocessors is that it adapts itself to the actual usage habits of consumers. In terms of future application potential, Intel® Atom™ processor N2000 and D2000 series systems are better suited as solutions in the industrial computing domain and can reduce power consumption while improving performance. One can compare Intel® Atom™ platforms with its predecessor, the N455 and D525 series, in terms of specifications, power consumption and performance. The results show that Intel® Atom™ processor N2000 and D2000 systems have clear advantages, and the future potential of the products can truly be appreciated when demand in the industrial computer market is taken into consideration.
Comparison of Specifications The following block diagrams illustrate a comparison between the specifications of Intel® Atom™ processor N455 and D525 series with those of the N2000 and D2000 series:
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