Quantcast
PCWorld.com is upgrading some back-end systems. Some site features, such as user registration, may be temporarily unavailable.
Subscribe to magazine

Intel Puts StrongArm on Death Row

PDA processor will be retired to make room for the new family of XScale chips.

Martyn Williams, IDG News Service

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

Intel has given developers notice that its SA-1110 StrongArm processor will not be available for much longer.

The chip, which has served as the processor in several generations of personal digital assistants from numerous companies, has been superseded by Intel's XScale line and the company has told developers that it will continue accepting orders for only another six months. The last StrongArm shipments from Intel are due no later than February 6, 2004, according to a notice sent to developers last week.

"Everybody is transitioning off 206-MHz StrongArm processors and onto 400-MHz XScale processors," said Intel spokesperson Mark Miller, referring to the company's XScale chip which was launched one year ago as a successor to the StrongArm.

XScale is already being used in many Intel processor-based PDAs and, with the launch earlier this week of a new version that includes a baseband processor, Intel is hoping the chip will also be popular with mobile telephone handset makers.

StrongArm's Story

The StrongArm processor was the product of a 1995 licensing agreement between ARM (then called Advanced RISC Machines) and Digital Equipment, which was later acquired by Compaq Computer. DEC produced several StrongArm microprocessors based on RISC's 32-bit processor core that were put into use in products such as network terminals.

In late 1997, Intel struck a deal to acquire the StrongArm technology and business from Digital Equipment for $700 million.

Soon after acquiring the business, Intel announced plans to move StrongArm beyond the computer market and into devices such as digital set top boxes, Web-enabled screen phones, point of sale terminals, and mobile telephones. The chip became a favorite of personal digital assistant and mobile device developers and customers included Casio Computer, Compaq Computer, Hewlett-Packard, LG Electronics, NEC, Sharp, and Toshiba.

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No
 

Featured APC Accessories

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC Smart-UPS Loaded with cutting-edge features, unique battery life predictor, unbeatable on-line efficiencies and software agents allowing remote UPS monitoring. Get 10% off your entire kart purchase!

People who read this also read:

  • 15 Minutes to a Secure Business Get the Secure in 15 toolkit starting with the "15 Minutes Month-at-a-Glance" calendar. McAfee will send you additional tools and tricks to stay protected around the clock.
  • A Buyer's Guide to Data Protection Implementing data protection products and processes can be daunting. Make the right decisions by exploring what is available and what makes sense for your organization. Use this simple guide to evaluate different vendor offerings.

Sponsored Links