AMD Elan Family Joins Annasoft Systems Embedded Initiative for Windows CE-based Applications
May 13, 1997 — AMD today announced that it has joined Annasoft Systems, bsquare integration, and Stellcom Technologies in an embedded initiative to support the development of embedded products based on Microsoft Windows CE software and AMD's ElanTMSC400 and ElanSC410 microcontrollers.
Annasoft Systems is authorized by Microsoft to handle Windows CE licensing to systems manufacturers. bsquare integration will provide Elan device-specific software modifications. Stellcom will complete the hardware specifications for a production-ready reference design.
The ElanSC400 and ElanSC410 microcontrollers combine AMD's proven Am486 core with a comprehensive set of mobile-specific peripherals onto a single-chip PC/AT compatible solution. Featuring unprecedented mobile processing muscle and low power consumption, the Elan microcontrollers are ideally suited for the emerging generation of ultra-small point of sale, data collection, internet browser, mobile terminal and smart phone mobile devices.
"We believe that AMD's Elan family is well positioned for applications in the consumer electronics market," said Richard Eppel, president of Annasoft Systems. "The addition of the Elan products to the Embedded Initiative will give customers the true time-to-market advantages afforded by the x86 architecture and its expansive support infrastructure."
"Annasoft Systems' embedded initiative for the x86 architecture will enable mobile system vendors to quickly and cost-effectively build practical mobile solutions based on AMD's Elan microcontrollers," said Bob McConnell, vice president, AMD Logic Products Division.
Annasoft Systems is the world's leading licensing agent of Microsoft operating systems to the embedded community. In conjunction with the initiative Annasoft has been authorized to license Windows CE to system designers.
bsquare integration, inc. has worked with Windows CE since its inception, contributing to the development of Visual C++ for Windows CE tools. bsquare's role in the initiative is to provide OEM adaptation layer (OAL) and device driver support for AMD's ElanSC400 and ElanSC410 microcontrollers.
Stellcom Technologies is a member of the Microsoft Solution Provider Advisory Board and offers more than 15 years of custom hardware design and applications experience. As a partner in the initiative, Stellcom will finalize production-ready hardware reference designs for Windows CE applications.
Windows CE is Microsoft's compact and portable operating system built from the ground up to be appropriate for a broad range of business and consumer devices that can communicate with each other, share information with Windows-based PCs, and connect to the Internet. Categories of devices that Windows CE is suitable for include small form-factor mobile computing devices such as the new handheld PCs, "wallet" PCs, wireless communications devices such as digital information pagers and cellular smart phones, next-generation entertainment and multimedia consoles including DVD players, and purpose-built Internet access devices such as Internet TVs, digital set top boxes and Internet "Web phones."
About AMD AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets. AMD produces processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices, and products for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, California, AMD had revenues of $2 billion in 1996. (NYSE: AMD).
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