Intel's SmartDie program to target MMX mini-notebooks

Electronic News, Feb 24, 1997 by Bernard Levine

Chandler, Ariz.--Intel will begin offering for the first time in die form its mobile Pentium processor with MMX technology, targeted at mini-notebook applications. The new entries will be incorporated into the firm's SmartDie program begun several years ago, which has been a major boost to developers of flip chip, multichip module and other bare die packaging schemes often earmarked for the most space-constrained applications.

In an announcement slated for this week, Intel will outline new SmartDie offerings aimed at mini-notebook PCs weighing under 3 pounds. Intel says, "Mini-notebook PCs appeal to users who want the ultimate in lightweight portable computing without sacrificing performance or capability. This platform includes Intel's new mobile Pentium processor with MMX technology and 82439TX system controller available as SmartDie products and a multichip module (MCM) reference design."

The firm added its "mobile platform solutions now deliver the latest performance and address weight and size issues in either Tape Carrier Packaging (TCP) or as SmartDie products. These solutions meet notebook OEMs' needs to increase performance, while at the same time develop lighter, smaller, more mobile products. By using SmartDie products in an MCM, manufacturers can typically save board space, when compared to packaged parts."

Meanwhile, for the more traditional notebook market, Intel recently unveiled a "mobile module," said to be about the size of a PCMCIA add-in card, and integrating various componentry likely to change as MPU speeds go up and enabling notebook OEMs to swap-out module cards (EN, Feb. 17).

Frank Spindler, director of marketing for Intel's Mobile & Handheld Products group, said the latest SmartDie offerings "provide OEMs with additional flexibility when developing innovative mini-notebook PCs, by reducing board space requirements and providing OEMs with the latest processors and chipsets."

Intel has a MCM reference design based on the mobile Pentium processor with MMX technology and 82439TX system controller SmartDie products. This reference design can help improve time-to-market for mini-notebook OEMs and MCM manufacturers by providing them with the building blocks for module design, debug and test, Intel claimed. Other architectural features of this design include a 280-pin interface for the PCI and memory subsystems, optional 256K L2 cache and digital thermistor.

Samples of the Pentium processor with MMX technology SmartDie product are available now at 150MHz and 166MHz. The U.S. suggested retail price in 1,000-unit quantities is $336 and $539, respectively. The 82439TX system controller SmartDie product is also available as part of the Intel 430TX PCIset. The U.S. suggested retail price in 1,000-unit quantities for the Intel 430TX PCIset is $34.00 each.

All these prices are identical to their equivalent packaged counterpart, according to Steve Heimlich, product manager at Intel's ultra-portables operation here. He also noted this is the second-generation MCM reference design for Pentium incorporating the latest mobile processor and chipset.

The original MCM reference design has been used for some time in products by Fujitsu and Panasonic.