Digital ICs/DSP: Low-Power x86 CPU Packs Crypto Engine And Dual RNGs

Nov. 10, 2003

Based on a streamlined Nehemiah core, the Eden-N x86-compatible CPU adds advanced on-chip security to the existing Padlock feature already available on previous Nehemiah cores. On-chip are an advanced cryptography engine and two hardware-based random-number generators. The crypto engine can run AES algorithms and encrypt data at up to 12.5 Gbits/s when running on a 1-GHz CPU. Available in a nanoBGA package, the Eden-N processor occupies an area of just 15 by 15 mm—about half that of the Intel Pentium M CPU. When running at 800 MHz, the processor dissipates only 6 W, or just 7 W when the clock jumps to 1 GHz. The Eden-N processor works with the company's CLE266 motherboard chip set. Samples are available now. In volume, the CPU costs less than $30.

VIA Technologies Inc.www.via.com.tw/en/products/eden_n.jsp

About the Author

Dave Bursky

Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.