Seminar Report ’03 Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
Dept. of CSE MESCE, Kuttippuram 1
1. INTRODUCTION
Intel is expanding its history of innovations with new
notebook PC capabilities designed specifically for the mobile
world. This technology allows users to work, play and connect
without wires and choose from a whole new world of thin and
light notebook PCs that are designed to enable extended
battery life.
This new innovative technology delivers breakthrough
mobile performance and low power enhancements to enable
extended battery life in notebook PCs, combined with
integrated wireless LAN capability and standards based
security support.
With Intel®Centrino mobile technology, three
components work together to deliver a breakthrough in
freedom and capability-to work , learn and play on the go,
these components include;
Intel®Pentium® M Processor
Intel® 855 chipset family
Intel®PRO/Wireless network connection
The Intel Pentium M processor is offered at speeds of
1.30 GHz, 1.40 GHz, 1.50 GHz, 1.60 GHz and 1.70 GHz. In the
Highest Frequency Mode(HFM), the notebook PCs can achieve
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high performance on the most complex business and Internet
applications. The lowest frequency mode (LFM) speed on all
processor is 600 MHz which reduces power consumption and
enables extended battery life. The on demand performance
switches between HFM,LFM and intermediate Enhanced Intel
SpeedStep technology operating points based on user needs,
optimizing application performance and batterylife.
When an Intel Pentium M processor is used in
conjunction with the Intel® 855 chipset, the resulting platform
provides reliable , balanced performance for today’s
mainstream notebook PCs, with head room to remain
productive as new applications emerge. The Intel® 855 chipset
family offers support for DDR memory technology and offers a
system bus frequency of 400 MHz.
The integrated Wi-Fi Certified Intel PRO/wireless 2100
network connection has been validated to work with all of the
Intel Centrino Mobile Technology components and is
interoperable with 802.11b Wi-Fi certified access points. It
supports industry standards- based wireless LAN security such
as 802.1x, WEP and WPA. Intel PRO/ wireless 2100 network
connection also supports WLAN security enhancements for
CISCO compatible extensions on certain models. Subject to PC
manufactures availability and validation this enables
interoperability with CISCO Aironet wireless LAN
infrastructure. For comprehensive security support The Intel
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PRO/ 2100 network connection has been verified with leading
VPN suppliers like CISCO, Microsoft, Intel and CheckPoint.
Notebook PC performance does not depend on the
microprocessor alone. Hardware and software system
components such as the Operating Systems, the Graphics and
the IO subsystems, application software, and memory may
significantly affect performance results. For this reason this
report illustrates Intel Centrino Mobile Technology and its
performance on a consistent PC configuration.
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2. THE INTEL PENTIUM M PROCESSOR
The Intel Pentium M Processor is designed with a mobile
optimized architecture that delivers advanced performance at
very low power.
The highlights of the Intel Pentium M Processor:
Available at 1.3 GHz, 1.4 GHz, 1.4 GHz, 1.6 GHz, 1.7
GHz.
Supported by the Intel 855 chipset family.
Featuring a high performance, low power mobile
optimized micro architecture.
On-die, primary 32KB instruction cache and 32KB write-
back data cache.
On-die, 1MB level-2 cache with Advanced Transfer
Cache Architecture.
Advanced power management including enhanced Intel
speed step technology support with multiple operating
points.
Fully compatible with existing Intel architecture based
software.
Streaming SIMD Extension 2.
Intel MMX media enhancement technology.
Available in Micro FCPGA and micro FCBGA packages.
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Based upon Intel’s advanced 0.13maufacturing
process.
3. INTEL PENTIUM M PROCESSOR PRODUCT
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
The Intel Pentium M Processor micro-architecture is
optimized for high performance and low power. It includes a
number of features including Enhanced Intel SpeedStep
technology support, a high performance power optimized
400MHZ system bus, 32KB level1 instruction and data cache,
1MB level 2 advanced transfer cache , streaming SIMD
Extension 2 support and advanced thermal monitoring
capabilities. These features and resulting benefits are
described in more detail below:
High performance and low power core
The Intel Pentium processor features a high performance
core architecture that uses techniques like Micro–op fusion
and Advanced Stack Management to maximize performance.
Micro-op fusion combines micro-ops derived from the same
macro-op. Advanced Stack Management reduces the number of
micro-ops in the stack related operations by tracking relative
stack pointer changes locally. Reduction in the number of
micro-ops results in more efficient scheduling and better
performance at lower power. The Intel Pentium M Processor
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core can operate at very low voltages and use advanced
techniques to minimize clock and signal switching resulting in
very low power dissipation in the active state. The processor
features dynamic power management states that consists of
Stop Grant, Sleep, Deep Sleep, and Deeper Sleep Alert states
that allow the processor to quickly enter and exit from these
states to provide fast responsiveness and significant power
savings.
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
The Intel Pentium M processor features Enhanced Intel
SpeedStep® technology. Unlike previous implementations of
Intel SpeedStep technology, this technology enables the
processor to switch between multiple frequency and voltage
points instead of two. This will enable superior performance
with optimal power savings. Switching between states is
software controlled unlike previous implementations where the
GHI# pin is used to toggle between two states. The following
are the key features of Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology:
Multiple voltage/frequency operating points provide
optimal performance at the lowest power.
Voltage/Frequency selection is software controlled by
writing to processor MSR’s (Model Specific Registers)
thus eliminating chipset dependency.
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The processor controls voltage ramp rates internally to
ensure glitch free transitions.
Low transition latency and large number of transitions
possible per second.
No bus master arbiter disable required prior to transition
and no processor cache flush necessary.
Improved Intel Thermal Monitor mode.
400 MHz System Bus with low power features
The Intel Pentium M processor supports Intel’s highest
performance mobile system bus by delivering 3.2 GB of data
per second into and out of the processor .this is accomplished
through a physical signaling scheme of quad pumping the data
transfers over a 100-MHz clocked system bus and a buffering
scheme allowing for sustained 400-MHz data transfer .the
system bus features the following low power enhancement:
Low voltage swing
Intelligent disabling of data, address and control signal
buffers
Dynamic on-die termination disabling
32KB Level 1 Instruction and Data Caches
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Both instruction and data Caches on the Intel Pentium
processor are 32KB in size. Large L1 caches provide fast access
to critical instructions and data, resulting in very high
performance.
1MB Level 2 Advanced Transfer Cache
The Level 2 Advanced Transfer Cache (ATC) is 1MB in
size and delivers an extremely high data throughput channel
between the level 2 Cache and the processor core. The
Advanced Transfer Cache transfers data on each core clock.
Features of the ATC include:
Non-blocking, full speed, on-die Level 2 Cache
8-way set associativity
data clocked into and out of the cache every clock cycle
Advanced Branch Prediction and Data Prefetching
The Intel Pentium M processor features an advanced
branch prediction architecture that combines three types of
predictors –Global, Bi-Modal and Loop Detector. The processor
automatically selects the most optimal algorithm to use,
significantly reducing the number of mis-predicted branches.
The processor also features an advanced data prefetcher that
can track up to 8 upstream and 4 downstream operations
simultaneously. Data is perfected from main memory to the L2
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cache in advance, resulting in higher performance by reducing
the need to access system memory.
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Streaming SIMD Extensions 2(SSE2)
The Intel Pentium M processor supports the complete
SSE2 instruction set. These instructions include 128-bit SIMD
integer arithmetic and 128-bit SIMD double-precision floating-
point operations. These instructions reduce the overall number
of instructions required to execute a particular program task
and as a result can contribute to an overall performance
increase.
Features used for test and performance/thermal
monitoring
Built in Self test (BIST) provides single stuck at fault
coverage of the micro code and large logic arrays, as well as
the testing of the instruction cache, data cache, translation
look aside buffers(TLBs) and ROMs.
IEEE 1149.1 standard test access port and boundary scan
mechanism enables testing of the Intel Pentium M
Processor and system connections through a standard
interface.
Internal performance counters can be used for performance
monitoring and event counting.
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Includes an on–die thermal diode and Intel thermal monitor
feature for thermal management purpose. The Intel
Pentium M processor features a new thermal monitor mode
which uses Enhanced Intel Speed Step technology instead
of clock control. This technique achieves efficient thermal
management with minimal performance impact.
The Intel Pentium M processor has a maximum junction
temperature (TJ) specification of 100 degree Celsius.
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4. INTEL 855PM CHIPSET PRODUCT FEATURE
HIGHLIGHTS
As the next step in the evolution of Intel Hub
architecture for note book PCs using Intel Centrino mobile
technology, the Intel 855 PM Chipset was designed in tandem
with the Intel Pentium M processor.
The Intel 855 PM memory controller hub delivers
support for either PC 1600 and PC 2100 DDR memory
technology and a 400 MHz system bus , providing the latest
graphics support through 1.5 v ADP4X technology. Together
these features deliver the highest total bandwidth capabilities
to the PC platform. The enhanced 82801 DBM I/O Controller
Hub 4 (ICH4-M) delivers twice the I/O bandwidth over
traditional bridge architecture and provides dedicated data
path to fully optimize the additional bandwidth. The ICH4-M
makes a direct connection from the graphics and memory for
faster access to peripherals and provides the features and
bandwidth required for a high performance note book PC.
In addition to advanced application support , the Intel
855 chipset was designed with the following features to
enhance the end-user experience:
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400MHz system bus delivers a high bandwidth connection
between the Intel Pentium M processor and the platform
The DDR channel memory delivers up to 2.1 GB per second
of memory bandwidth to the processor. High memory
bandwidth, coupled with an efficient protocol, deliver a
balanced platform support and provide the memory
bandwidth necessary to extract the highest performance
from the Intel Pentium M processor.
AGP4X interface allows graphics controllers to access main
memory over 1 GB/s, twice that of previous AGP platform
Support for high speed USB 2.0 with backward
compatibility with USB 1.1
AC97 2.2 interface with support for a third codec to provide
20 bit resolution. The latest AC97 audio delivers six
channels of audio for enhanced sound quality and full
surround sound capability for live broadcast and other
digital dashboard programming.
LAN Connect Interface (LCI) provides flexible network
solutions such as home phone line, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet,
and 10/100Mbps Ethernet with LAN manageability.
Dual Ultra ATA-100 controllers support the fastest IDE
interface for transfer to storage devices.
Support for ACPI-defined power states C1-C4, S1, S3-S5.
Support for enhanced Intel Speed Step Technology.
Support for ―deeper sleep‖ power state.
Allows wake up from sleep states S1-S4.
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The 855PM Chipset is designed for low power and great
performance supporting architectural features for power
reduction techniques including:
Chipset MCH core voltage reduced to 1.2V for reduced
power consumption
Management of DDR SO-DIMM (platform) power by using
aggressive use of CKE Power-Down when memory interface
is idle and enhancement of per-bank page-closing policy for
the memory interface.
Management of Intel 855PM MCH DDR I/O power with
aggressive tri-stating of control signals when not needed
and partial drive of command signals when possible and
including during idle cycles reducing toggle rates of control
line.
Support for DDR Read Throttling via External Thermal
Sensor to prevent memory overheating, disabling of I/O
buffers and DDLs when possible, turning off Hub interface
and Host PLLs also add to increased power savings for the
855PM chipset.
Some of the features added to the Intel 855PM Chipset
design to boost MCH performance include:
Significant timing improvements to allow a robust DDR266
channel with a combination of significant logic changes and
I/O changes.
Shorter memory refresh sequence with shorter memory
controller queues provides additional bandwidth.
Reduction in page miss occurrences due to significant
improvements in page closing algorithms
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5. INTEL PRO /WIRELESS 2100 NETWORK
CONNECTION
To access the Internet wirelessly, a laptop uses radio
signals to communicate with a wireless LAN via base band
circuitry, a media access controller, and a radio. (Centrino does
this with three chips.) A wireless LAN operates with one of two
IEEE standard protocols finalized in 1997 and differing in data
rate and signal frequency. The two standards are the 802.11a
and 802.11b, the latter often called Wi-Fi. The 802.11a
operates at 5 GHz and can transmit data at up to 54 Mb/s.
The 802.11b operates at 2.4 GHz and transmits data at 11
Mb/s. The two protocols are not compatible: a laptop equipped
with 802.11b circuitry alone cannot access the Internet at a
hotspot running 802.11a. A newer protocol, IEEE 802.11g, is
being finalized and should be out this summer. It has the same
data rate as 802.11a but operates on the same frequency as
802.11b and is compatible with it.
According to Shane Rau, senior research analyst at
International Data Corp. (Framingham, Mass.), Centrino’s
success, at least initially, will not be due to its wireless
component. First, it uses separate chips for the 802.11b base
band and media access controller functions, whereas many
companies combine them on the same chip, and so are able to
provide a more compact two-chip set that includes the radio.
Second, although dual-band a+b chips are being sold by
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Intersil Corp. (Irvine, Calif.), Atheros Communications Inc.
(Sunnyvale, Calif.), and others, Intel’s chips contain only the
radio for 802.11b and not the one for 802.11a. So a Centrino-
based machine can access the Internet only at 802.11b
hotspots. ―The consensus is that to be competitive, you at least
need a dual-band solution,‖ says Rau.
Another source of dismay may well be that only one of
the three chips, the media access controller, was designed and
built by Intel. IDC’s Ken Furer told IEEE Spectrum that Intel’s
original plan was to develop its own 802.11a+b chipset as a
part of Centrino. ―However, it was apparent Intel was still
having some problems with the 802.11a RF component, so
they launched Centrino in a tiered approach.‖ The current
version uses an 802.11b base band chip that incorporates a
good deal of intellectual property from Symbol Technologies
Inc. (Holtsville, N.Y.) and is manufactured by Texas
Instruments Inc. (Dallas). Intel is buying 802.11b radio chips
from Royal Philips Electronics NV (Amsterdam, the
Netherlands).
According to Intel spokesperson Howard High, the
company had built 802.11a radio ICs before the Centrino
launch, but decided it needed more time to ensure the chip
lived up to Intel’s reliability and quality standards. The RF
circuitry for 802.11a should be ready by midyear. The 802.11a
base band circuitry is already part of the media access
controller chip.
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Highlights of the Intel PRO/ wireless 2100 network connection
include:
Single band support ,providing the ability to connect to
802.11b networks
Industry standards and extended wireless security
support(WEP,802.1X and Cisco LEAP)
Available Intel PROSet software with advanced profile
management support, allows multiple setup profiles to
connect to different WLAN networks
Available Intel PROSet software with automatic WLAN
switching support enables automatic switching between
wired and wireless LAN connections
Available Intel PROSet software supports
Cisco*,Checkpoint*,Microsoft* and Intel VPN connections
Intel Wireless Coexistence system support enables
reduced interfernce between PRO /Wireless and
Bluetooth* devices
Per-packet antenna section enables optimized WLAN
performance
Intel Intelligent Scanning Technology, reduces power by
controlling the frequency of scanning for access points
Power Save Protocol(PSP) is a user selectable feature with
five different power states, which allows the user to make
their own power versus performance choice when in
battery mode.
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6. PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Mobile Experience- Mobile Mark *2002
Mobile Mark *2002 is used to evaluate notebook PC user
experience by measuring both performance and battery life at
the same time on the same workload. Mobile Mark *2002 is a
tool that measures notebook PC performance on popular
business- oriented applications in Microsoft* Windows*
operating environment. The productivity usage model provides
computations representing today’s business users using
popular Office productivity and content creation applications.
This usage model reports a performance score and a battery
life score.
The productivity workload of Mobile Mark *2002
consists of emerging usage model and popular productivity
applications including;
Adobe Photoshop 6.0.1
Macromedia Flash 5.0
McAfee Virus Scan 5.13
Microsoft Excel 2002
Microsoft Outlook 2002
Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
Netscape Communicator 6.0
WinZip 8.0
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7. CONCLUSION
Although the wireless package is less than ideal,
Centrino shines at improving battery life and performance.
Power consumption is less than 60 percent that of the mobile
version of Intel’s Pentium IV, while performance is better by 15
percent, as measured by the notebook PC benchmark Mobile
Mark 2002.
These pluses are largely due to Centrino’s centerpiece,
the Pentium M processor, which was designed to save power by
weighing the benefits of each processor function against its
power consumption. Also, an enhanced version of Intel’s
Speed- Step technology, included in the processor, saves power
by stepping the operating voltage and frequency up or down to
match the processing demands of the application running on
the processor. Granted, previous Pentium mobile processors
have also included SpeedStep. But for the Pentium M,
designers have increased the number of steps over which
frequency and voltage can be varied, to better match processor
speeds to the needs of the application.
Power is also saved by turning off clocks and circuits
when they are not needed and running the secondary on chip
cache more slowly than the processor. All told, then, laptop
batteries can last much longer on a single charge. For example,
Robert Enochs, IBM’s product manager for the T-series
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ThinkPad, told Spectrum that the company’s Centrino- based
T40 can run up to 5.5 hours on a single charge of the standard
T40 battery—almost three times the battery life of previous
models. An optional high-capacity battery gives 7.2 hours of
use, which can be extended a further 2.5 hours by plugging a
second battery into the computer’s peripheral bay. The low
power consumption can also do away with the need for fans,
allowing notebook makers to design slimmer, lighter
notebooks.
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8. REFERENCES
Seminar Report ’03 Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
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ABSTRACT
Intel announced a new brand name for its next
generation mobile processor technology: Centrino. It was
designed to help manufactures to build notebooks that use less
power and offer extended battery life along with better wireless
networking facilities. Centrino family will also include
supporting chipsets and wireless radio modules designed to
allow new notebooks to use 802.11 wireless networking. The
Pentium–M Chip runs at speed of about 1.4 GHz. Centrino
extends its performance by adding features extended battery
life and introducing enhanced speed step technology. The
performance is also increased by using large caches. A wide
range of notebook manufactures are expected to adopt the
Centrino technology in a multitude of so called thin and light
notebook models weighing 5 pounds or less.
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CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Intel Pentium M processor
3. Intel Pentium M processor Product Feature highlights
4. Intel 855PM Chipset product feature highlights
5. Intel PRO /Wireless 2100 Network Connection
6. Performance Summary
7. Conclusion
8. Reference
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I express my sincere thanks to Prof. M.N Agnisarman
Namboothiri (Head of the Department, Computer Science and
Engineering, MESCE), Mr. Sminesh (Staff incharge) for their
kind co-operation for presenting the seminar.
I also extend my sincere thanks to all other members
of the faculty of Computer Science and Engineering
Department and my friends for their co-operation and
encouragement.
ARUN SIDHAN