15 September 2010
Single chip system companion IC for new Intel Atom processor E6xx series
Dialog Semiconductor has launched a single chip system companion IC to optimise the power efficiency of embedded applications using the latest Intel Atom processor E6xx series (formerly codenamed Tunnel Creek).
The DA6011 system companion chip integrates power management and clock driver functions and was designed in conjunction with Dialog's Processor Partner Programme. The DA6011, which is already sampling, runs on Congatec's business card sized embedded pc, the conga-QA6, which is based on the Intel Atom E6xx series processor.
The Dialog ic is designed to manage the complete start up, state transitioning and power down procedures on Intel Atom processor E6xx series based platforms. It operates autonomously and, according to Dialog, reduces the overall system power consumption when going into stand by or power down mode. The state machine implementation is designed to control the Intel Atom processor E6xx series platforms and i/o hubs from Intel, OKI Semiconductor and ST Microelectronics.
The DA6011 is said to significantly cut development time for Intel Atom processor E6xx series based designs. Dialog adds that it improves battery life and requires under half the board space compared with using a discrete power management system.
The Intel Atom processor E6xx series integrates a memory controller and graphical video display with the cpu. The device is also the first in the Intel Atom family to adopt the open PCI Express interface, enabling third party companies to more easily create compliant devices that directly connect to the chip.
The device integrates six dc/dc buck converters. This includes two IMVP-6 compatible buck converters dedicated to the Intel Atom processor E6xx series and three pass devices for a fully featured system.
Further platform power demands are supplied by 11 high performance, low dropout (ldo) voltage regulators, which use Dialog's Smart Mirror technology, removing the need for a low power mode and simplifying power control in the system.
A dedicated push-pull source/sink terminates the address lines of the external RAM, and to manage the clock supplies four fractional division featured PLLs, two with spread spectrum capability, are included on the DA6011.
Author
Chris Shaw
Supporting Information
Websites
http://www.dialog-semiconductor.com
Companies
Dialog Semiconductors (UK) Ltd
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