IBM Will Help Others Integrate Powerful 'Cell'

(I-Newswire) March 31, 2005 - IBM announced today it will offer new design services to help companies integrate the microprocessor technology known as Cell into a wide range of electronics products -- especially where image-hungry applications are critical, such as the aerospace, defense, industrial or medical segments.

"IBM's new design services could have significant impact on expanding the number of applications that leverage Cell's unique capabilities," said Pat Toole, general manager, IBM Engineering & Technology Services (E&TS).

IBM E&TS clients using these new services will be able to access a Cell software simulation environment through IBM's Deep Computing Capacity on Demand Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The Cell processor, developed by IBM, Toshiba and Sony Group, is a breakthrough architectural design featuring eight synergistic processors plus a Power Architecture-based core, which provide unmatched performance levels in many computational-starved applications. It has top clock speeds of greater than 4 GHz, as measured during initial hardware testing.

"This is an example of IBM offering innovation on demand -- helping manufacturers in a variety of industries solve their most challenging technical problems and create entirely new products," Toole said.

Cell will not only boost the performance of applications and board-level products aimed at digital media areas such as movies and other home entertainment development, but potentially in government laboratories, digital security, higher education and deep computing, as well.

Each of these industry segments have ultrahigh speed communication, intense media processing requirements, and look for "enhanced realism" when it comes to imaging.

Custom design services for Cell from IBM will encompass:

system architecture and design;
chip, module and board development;
expanded blade design;
power, mechanical, electrical, thermal, industrial design;
firmware and Linux driver development;
worldwide regulatory and agency industry standards testing;
interoperability and compatibility testing;
and manufacturability, reliability and serviceability.
Companies interested in Cell can gain access to information and design expertise through IBM E&TS, which has 1,300 engineers on staff and a number of Power Architecture design centers around the world. These services also will be offered through IBM's consultants and industry-specific teams.

IBM E&TS helped create and deliver the Cell microprocessor. This technology design business also contributed to IBM's eServer BlueGene Solution as well as the Summit and Hurricane chipsets found in the company's xSeries servers. It has helped such widely respected companies as Boeing, Honeywell, Mayo Medical Ventures and the New York Stock Exchange, along with many others, create innovative products.


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