1:08 AM
maestr0
Men of science at Intel developed a new project involving an experimental CPU that may conduct to gadgets and computers with importantly lower energy usage.
The chip is codenamed “Claremont” and is acknowledged as a near-threshold voltage processor, which grants electronic transistors to engage at super-low, near “verge” emfs to increase efficiency and diminish energy consumption. This degree is very close to the electric potential at which transistors turn on and start conducting current (“threshold” voltage). This brings a 500% increase in energy efficiency.
In the presentation, the prototype low-power CPU was exploited on a PC running Linux Operating System, powered exclusively off a photovoltaic cell the size of a stamp. The CPU was utilized in alignment with other experimental project, a prototype DRAM named the hybrid memory cube (ultra-effective computer memory interface).
“We used a solar cell in the demonstration to show how little power was required,” said Intel spokeswoman Connie Brown in an interview. “But it could run on anything that has power.” Like lemon juice, or perhaps a potato as Brown suggested. “The key message is the low power and how much more transistors would be power-efficient running at near-threshold.”
Numerous years of exploring unknown territories in research have conducted to Intel’s near-threshold voltage-processor design. Claremont changes into NTV mode (under 10 mW in power consumption) when its workload is light.
This implies, besides powering off entirely, a CPU can remain in an “ultra low-power state,” conserving open applications and active processes — “always-on” devices. The technology could even be applied to produce “zero-power” computer architectures powered by solar power. The future is bright!
Watch the presentation here
image credit: intel.com
