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Intel Introduces Pentium Processors and Chipsets for In-Car Computing

Business Wire, Feb 22, 1999

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 1999--At its semi-annual Developer's Forum this week, Intel Corporation will announce Extended Temperature Pentium(R) processors with MMX(TM) technology and supporting chipsets that have been designed to meet the stringent requirements of the automotive environment. The products are intended to bring new capabilities to the car, in support of its Connected Car PC vision of platforms for navigation, communication, entertainment and information.

"In-car computing platforms powered by Pentium processors give manufacturers and car buyers the best possible combination of PC technologies and open computing platforms," said Ganesh Moorthy, general manager, Intel's Home Products Appliance Division. "Drivers and passengers will benefit from real-time information, navigation, entertainment and communication applications that operate with the power of PC technology."

Processing Power Will Enable Most-Wanted In-Car Computing Applications

Visteon, a leading supplier of a broad range of automotive components including mobile electronics, will use the Extended Temperature Pentium processor with MMX technology and chipset in its future in-car computing applications.

"Our market research has shown that the speed of the in-car computing system is critical for users, and we believe that the Extended Temperature Pentium processor with MMX technology will deliver the performance and capabilities required," said Bruce Weintraub, marketing manager for Visteon Global Aftermarket Operations.

The new Extended Temperature Pentium processor with MMX technology, along with the Extended Temperature 430TX PCIset, is optimized for the range of temperatures in which automobiles operate and is specified for an extended temperature range of minus 40 C to plus 85 C degrees ambient. The processor is designed for multimedia-intensive applications, which are anticipated to be widely used in in-car computing. Product features include 32 Kbytes L1 cache, 64-bit data bus and high performance floating point unit. The 166 MHz Extended Temperature Pentium Processor will be manufactured on the power-saving .25 micron process in a low-profile plastic ball grid array package designed for non-PC applications.

The Extended Temperature Pentium Processor with MMX technology and the 430TX PCIset are the first chips in a family of chips for in-car computing and communication applications. More products are in development and a graphics accelerator will be announced later this year.

Connected Car PC Enables Variety of Entertainment and Computing Options

Technologies enabled by the Extended Temperature Pentium processor with MMX technology will include voice-activated technology, wireless communication, and Internet access. With these features, Connected Car PC platforms will provide navigation, communication, entertainment, security, news, and traffic and weather updates to drivers and passengers. Also, to increase safety, applications using speech recognition will allow drivers to switch radio stations or enter destinations by voice instead of manually. Traffic and weather information delivered to the car can help drivers avoid traffic jams or construction.

Pricing and Availability

The 166 MHz Extended Temperature Pentium Processor with MMX technology will be available in second quarter of 1999 in the HL-PBGA package. Pricing in 1000 unit quantities will be U.S $49.50. The Extended Temperature 430TX PCIset will be available beginning second quarter of 1999 and will be priced at U.S. $26.00

The Intel Developer Forum is a three-day intensive semiannual forum providing hardware OEMs and IHVs in-depth information on Intel technologies and initiatives. More information on the Intel Developer Forum can be found at http://developer.intel.com/design/idf/. Updated information between Intel Developer Forums is available by subscribing to the Platform Solutions Newsletter at http://developer.intel.com/solutions.> For more information on in-car computing, visit http://developer.intel.com/technology/carpc/index.htm.> 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.> Third party marks and brands are property of their respective holders.