X-bit labs

Sunday, February 20, 2005

IBM’s Cell Processor Previewed. Web-Site Analyses IBM’s Cell

Next-generation microprocessors is not only focused to deliver extreme performance amid relatively low power consumption as well as enhanced security features, but is also build-around multi-core designs, which allow more efficient execution of capabilities like virtualization and drive a number of benefits for end-users. The Cell processor developed by IBM, Sony and Toshiba is among the first breed of consumer-oriented chips and definitely attracts a lot of interest, which PCStats.com web-site has decided to address.

“The Cell processor is vastly different from conventional processors inside. This tiny chip contains a powerful 64-bit Dual-threaded IBM PowerPC core but also eight proprietary ‘Synergistic Processing Elements’ (SPEs), essentially eight more highly specialized mini-computers on the same die. It’s these SPEs that make the Cell architecture special, as you might guess. IBM describes the product as a ‘System on a Chip.’ Like IBM’s Power5 processors, multi-processing is build right into the die,” PCStats.com’s article begins.

• PCStats.com: IBM’s CELL Processor: Preview to Greatness?

Nokia Tests TV on Cell Phones With French Operator. Nokia Demos TV on Handset, but Claims There Are Problems with the Tech

Nokia has demonstrated a long-anticipated feature to receive TV signals by a specially designed handset. If the technology becomes successful, it may pose a significant change for mobile entertainment market.

“Nokia Corp. is showing off the industry’s first live TV-to-mobile demonstration by using digital TV signals made available this week during the 3GSM World Congress by French broadcaster Telediffusion de France (TDF). The TV content, encoded in H.263, is encapsulated in IP data, and then broadcast using the MPEG-2 transport layer. TDF’s transmission tower in Vallauris, seven kilometers away from Cannes, has been sending the signals to the conference center,” says an article at CommsDesign.

Although the information sounds quite promising there are still things to fix.

“Nokia yesterday received an unexpected phone call from the French police, who complained of signal interference. While it remains unclear what exactly caused the so-called interference, the incidence prompted Nokia and TDF to reduce the transmission power from 1 kilowatt down to 1 watt,” said Tero Naumi, Nokia’s senior product manager.

• CommsDesign: Nokia Takes TV to Mobile with TDF signals.