June 13, 2006--NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ADI and Intel worked together to develop the Simple Serial Transport (SST) bus for communicating accurate temperature and voltage levels for more reliable, higher performing desktop PCs, workstations and servers.
Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI) has teamed with Intel Corporation to develop a new way to efficiently communicate computer system heat dissipation and voltage management and control information to safeguard the performance and reliability of high-performance desktop computers, workstations and servers. The two companies have co-developed and launched a new bus interface called the Simple Serial Transport(TM) (SST(TM)) bus that enables faster and more precise communication of the system efficiency - determinant factors of temperature and voltage within a variety of computing systems. By relaying this environmental information to a computer's core-logic chipset with greater speed and accuracy, the SST bus can dramatically reduce thermal management errors that can lead to a drop in computing performance. In a related announcement today, ADI announced the ADT748x family of SST-enabled temperature and voltage sensors designed for use in personal computers, workstations and servers.
The Simple Serial Transport (SST) Bus
By communicating data in a robust, noise-immune and scalable way, the SST bus improves on the existing 100 Kbps (kilobits-per-second) SMBus (System Management Bus) in high-performance computing applications by offering increased bandwidth and higher noise sensitivity. Designed to reduce fan noise and improve platform performance in desktop PCs, servers and workstations, the SST bus relays key environmental information, such as temperature and voltage, directly to the system's core logic or dedicated ASIC fan-speed controllers at a rate of 1 Mbps (megabits-per-second).
"The SST bus innovation is a good example of how ADI applies its analog technology and signal processing applications expertise to enhance the user experience and system-level performance. Through precise analog signal sensing and conversion, PCs and workstations run quiet and cool," said John Blake, product line manager, Power and Thermal Management, Analog Devices.
The SST bus enhances system reliability and performance by significantly reducing communication errors. In particular, when tested in the same environment on new PC motherboards, the SMBus measures about one error every 10,000 bits, compared to the SST bus' one error for every one billion bits processed. As a result, the user may see improved boot time and less chance of delays caused when a thermal event is not properly relayed to the core logic. In addition, the SST bus allows PC and workstation designers to use new features found in some next-generation Intel chipsets, such as the recently announced Intel(R) Quiet System Technology (Intel(R) QST). With the integration of fan speed control in the core logic, Intel(R) QST reduces the number of discrete fan control components in the system, which can lower BOM costs and allow system developers to use more programming options.
"A bus was required to enable industry-wide compatibility with system management devices, such as temperature sensors and voltage monitors in computing applications," said Steve Peterson, Intel's director of Chipset and Software Marketing. "Working with Analog Devices, we developed a common, robust interface that can be easily incorporated by all licensed vendors, allowing them to add custom capabilities, such as the Intel(R) QST, for new environmental features in PCs, servers and workstations."
To inquire about obtaining a copy of the royalty-free Adopters License Agreement for SST, or a copy of the Simple Serial Transport Specification, please email Analog Devices at sst_licensing@analog.com.
About Analog Devices
Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the most long-standing, high-growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers around the world, representing virtually all types of electronics equipment. Celebrating more than 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices, Inc. is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 8,900 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, and the Philippines. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and ADI is included in the S&P 500 Index.
SST and Simple Serial Transport are trademarks of Analog Devices, Inc.
