News

Transmeta intros new processors for embedded systems

January 6, 2003

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Transmeta released six new processors for embedded systems such as kiosks and point-of-sale terminals on Jan. 6, touting an energy-efficient design that eliminates the need for a cooling fan within the device.

Three different clock speeds are available for the new Crusoe Special Embedded processors: 667MHz, 800MHz, and 933MHz, with standard-power and low-power models available at each speed, Tom Lee, Transmeta's director of embedded business development, said in an InfoWorldreport.

Transmeta's other processors for notebook computers and Tablet PCs are also known as Crusoes.

According to Lee, the Crusoe SE processor regulates not only its clock speed but its power usage, independent of the operating system or application it is running. This regulation happens 200 times a second, and allows the processor to apply only the amount of power needed to handle the current application, so power is not wasted and heat is reduced.

While heat generated by processors is a cause of concern for all hardware designers, it is a particular problem in the embedded environment, where users require reliable performance from small devices, such as cash registers at retail stores.

Cooling fans can be prone to breakage and aren't suitable embedded products that must be airtight, Lee said.

According to Lee, the Crusoe SE will operate at temperatures from zero degrees Celsius to 100 degrees Celsius. The 933MHz chip uses a little less than 9 watts of power at maximum power, he said. The chip only uses maximum power during intensive applications, such as decoding a video stream, due to its power management feature.

The new Crusoe SE processors are based on the x86 instruction set, also used by rival chipmakers Intel and Advanced Micro Devices for their processors. Any applications for embedded systems developed on those processors will therefore run on the Crusoe chip.

Several hardware and software companies will support the Crusoe SE processors, notably Microsoft, Advantech and Gespac. Microsoft's Windows XP Embedded operating system will support the Crusoe SE processor, it said in a Transmeta release. Advantech, based in Taiwan and Gespac, based in Switzerland, are manufacturers of embedded hardware, and plan to have products out later in 2003, Lee said.

Samples of the Crusoe SE are shipping to device manufacturers now. The base price for the 667MHz chip will be under $50, with a small premium paid for the low-power model, Lee said.

The move marks an expansion for Transmeta beyond its core market in notebook computers and servers, where it continues a head-to-head battle against Intel Corp.

In recent statements, Transmeta has promised to reach profitability by the end of 2003. However, the company has struggled during the IT industry downturn. It posted a loss of about $171 million on sales of about $35 million in fiscal 2001, up from revenues of $16 million and losses of $97 million in 2000. The company estimated it had about $130 million in cash reserves in December 2002.