Intel Outlines Future Banias Mobile PC Platform

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 2002--Intel Corporation released information on its upcoming mobile PC platform, codenamed Banias, which features an entirely new processor microarchitecture. The forthcoming platform is designed to provide extended battery life, outstanding performance, new thin and light form factors, and simple, seamless wireless connectivity.

Additional technical details were released on the Banias microarchitecture, on the platform's integrated 802.11a/b dual band wireless local area network (WLAN) solution, and on a number of software solutions that improve security and decrease the complexity of wireless networking. Intel also introduced the Intel® 82540EP Gigabit Ethernet Controller, the first Gigabit Ethernet controller optimized for mobile designs.

"Mobile PCs with the Banias platform will provide simple, untethered, cutting-edge wireless performance in a choice of cool new form factors," said Anand Chandrasekher, vice president, Intel's Mobile Platforms Group. "With the Banias platform, Intel is taking a holistic approach to designing for mobility -- from the way the Banias microarchitecture was designed from the ground up for low power consumption and high performance, to the way that the other platform components work in concert to deliver better wireless mobility, to the work that Intel is doing with other companies to address wireless security and ease-of-use issues."

New Mobile Architecture

The new Banias micro architecture delivers leadership performance with lowest power within the notebook form factor. Intel today provided details on four new technologies to increase performance and reduce power consumption including; Advanced Branch Prediction, Micro-Op Fusion, a Power Optimized Processor System Bus and Dedicated Stack Manager. Advanced Branch Prediction analyzes a program's past behavior and predicts which operations it is likely to request in the future, resulting in higher performance. When several operations are ready to execute at the same time, Micro-Op Fusion technology merges them into a single operation, which improves both performance and power efficiency. Unlike many current systems, which provide power to components even when they are not in use, Power Optimized Processor System Bus implements architectural and circuit innovations that allow lower voltage swing and tight buffer management resulting in lower power consumption by providing power only where it is needed. Additionally, the Dedicated Stack Manager uses dedicated hardware to keep track of internal accounting, allowing the processor to execute program instructions without interruption. When combined, these technologies significantly improve performance without sacrificing battery life.

Seamless Wireless Connectivity

The Banias platform ties together the convergence of computing and communications with dual band wireless connectivity. The Banias platform integrates a dual band wireless solution that delivers both 802.11a and 802.11b wireless connectivity at 54Mbps and 11Mbps respectively. This solution is backward compatible with existing WLAN infrastructure and enables access to a broad range of networks including corporate, home and wireless hot spots in airports, hotels, restaurants and other public locations. It can automatically connect via the fastest connection available at the given location.

Intel's wireless solution in a Banias platform is designed to work in concert with the CPU and chipset and is designed, tested and validated to delver best in class experience. The Banias platform will be first to deliver on all four mobility vectors: performance, battery life, connectivity and form factor innovation.

In addition, Intel® PROSet utility software will enable Banias platform users to move seamlessly from a wired connection to a high-speed wireless LAN connection without having to shut down applications.

The Intel wireless LAN component of the Banias platform will include a solution that significantly improves the simultaneous operation of Bluetooth(TM) and 802.11b wireless technologies in mobile PCs. This will minimize the potential for conflicts between the two wireless technologies and provides optimal data throughput, operating range, and responsiveness on both 802.11b and Bluetooth wireless networks.

Gigabit Optimized for Mobile Platforms

Intel also introduced the industry's first Gigabit Ethernet controller developed to meet the high-performance, low-power demands of mobile PCs. The Intel® 82540EP Gigabit Ethernet Controller has automatic power-down features that reduce power by up to 75 percent over the currently available Gigabit Ethernet controller, yet enable seamless transfer between wired and wireless connections. The new Gigabit controller is being validated with the Banias platform, to shorten the design-qualification process. The Intel® PRO/1000 MT Mobile Connection delivers 10/100/1000Mbps network connection over standard Category-5 copper cable and will automatically negotiate to run at the fastest speed possible.

The Intel® 82540EP Gigabit Ethernet Controller is pin-compatible with Intel's latest 10/100 LAN on motherboard (LOM), which means that mobile PC manufacturers can provide 10 times the throughput without having to redesign their motherboards.

About IDF

The Intel Developer Forum is the technology industry's premier event for hardware and software developers. Held worldwide throughout the year, IDF brings together key industry players to discuss cutting-edge technology and products for PCs, servers, communications equipment, and handheld clients. For more information on IDF and Intel technology, visit http://developer.intel.com.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

Note to Editors: Intel, Intel® 82540EP Gigabit Ethernet Controller, Intel® PROSet, and Intel® PRO/1000 MT Mobile Connection are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.