Abstract
The world of mobile computing has seldom been so exciting. Not, at least, for last 3 years when all that the chip giants could think of was scaling down the frequency and voltage of the desktop CPUs, and labeling them as mobile processors. Intel Centrino mobile technology is based on the understanding that mobile customers value the four vectors of mobility: performance, battery life, small form factor, and wireless connectivity.
Description of Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
The technologies represented by the Intel Centrino brand will include an Intel Pentium-M processor, Intel 855 chipset family, and Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 network connection . The Intel Pentium-M processor is a higher performance, lower power mobile processor with several micro-architectural enhancements over existing Intel mobile processors. Some key features of the Intel Pentium-M processor Micro-architecture include Dynamic Execution, 400-MHz, on-die 1-MB second level cache with Advanced Transfer Cache Architecture, Streaming SIMD Extensions 2, and Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology. The Intel Centrino mobile technology also includes the 855GM chipset components GMCH and the ICH4-M.
The Accelerated Hub Architecture is designed into the chipset to provide an efficient, high bandwidth, communication channel between the GMCH and the ICH4-M.The GMCH component contains a processor system bus controller, a graphics controller, and a memory controller, while providing an LVDS interface and two DVO ports. The integrated Wi-Fi Certified Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 Network Connection has been designed and validated to work with all of the Intel Centrino mobile technology components and is able to connect to 802.11b Wi-Fi certified access points. It also supports advanced wireless LAN security including Cisco LEAP, 802.1X and WEP. Finally, for comprehensive security support, the Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 Network Connection has been verified with leading VPN suppliers like Cisco, CheckPoint, Microsoft and Intel NetStructure.
Deep Sleep State
Deep Sleep state is a very low power state the processor can enter while maintaining context. Deep Sleep state is entered by asserting the DPSLP# pin while in the Sleep state. BCLK may be stopped during the Deep Sleep state for additional platform level power savings.
Processor Host Interface
The GMCH is optimized for the Intel Pentium M processor. Key features of the Intel Pentium M processor system bus (PSB) are:
1.Source synchronous double pumped address
2.Source synchronous quad pumped data
3.System bus interrupt delivery
4.Low voltage swing (Vtt = 1.05 V)
