Intel driving research in new appln areas

Intel Corp is driving research on use of technology in new application areas such as healthcare, as also Terra-Scale Computing (scalable computing for the future), System on a Chip (high integration), Trusted Services (technologies for services), Carry Small / Live Large (ultra-mobile usage modes and platforms), and Ultimate Connectivity (communications for future platforms), an official release stated.

Intel's Corporate Technology Group (CTG) and Chief Technology Officer, Justin Rattner said on Thursday that research is being undertaken on a variety of advanced computing technologies such as ultra mobility, long battery life, high performance per watt, and rich sensing which will deliver an unprecedented level of mobile computing capability that is well suited to emerging markets."

Mobile Health Monitoring

CTG's Systems Technology Lab is currently undertaking plenty of research in the areas of ultra-mobile form factors, extending battery life and high performance per watt which will deliver an unprecedented level of mobile computing capability well suited to emerging markets and health care is an application area for the same.

Preventive care is very relevant to Indian market and this technology may improve access and reduce the overall cost of health care especially for the rural poor. Mobile care may also improve access to health technologies by bringing care to the doorsteps of the underserved population.

Justin Rattner presented a demo of a mobile health monitoring research prototype co-developed by Intel India and Intel US teams. This research prototype monitors multiple physiological parameters using a wireless body area network. The information acquired will be used to investigate the challenges associated with wireless mobile health monitoring such as ease of use, mobility, power efficiency and reliability. This research is expected to lead to enhanced mobility solutions, continuity of care and remote monitoring.

Technology Demo

CTG has also been very involved in validating research for various devices. In this connection Rattner reviewed the technology progression of research concept platforms developed in the Systems Technology Lab of CTG from 2001 to 2005 to test attributes seen on many handheld, cellular and mobile devices of today. Many of these platforms were proof of concepts of devices and technologies of the future. They were also platforms to validate research on seamless VoIP to cellular voice and data hand off, handheld media decoding and multi-radio frequency research.

Rattner said, "While Intel does not sell branded handheld products many of the concepts and technologies tested on CTG's research platforms are today found in MP3, GPS, cellular and other handheld devices."
Energy-efficient Research

CTG has also developed what is known as the Adaptive Snoozing Technology which enables energy efficiency. This technology adapts to the network traffic and automatically senses when there is no activity. In such a situation it switches off the radio thereby saving power for the platform and reducing over-the-air interference. Adaptive Snoozing can provide up to 80% of power saving over today's network interface card (NIC) and this feature is being considered for incorporation in future platforms.

Another area of research undertaken by Intel is on the 80 core teraflop research processor first showcased last year. This is the world's first programmable chip to deliver more than a teraflop of performance while consuming only 62 watts of power and is another project co-developed by the Bangalore and Oregon teams of the Circuit Research Lab at CTG.