XScale

XScale is a microarchitecture for central processing units initially designed by Intel implementing the ARM architecture (version 5) instruction set.

XScale comprises several distinct families: IXP, IXC, IOP, PXA and CE (see more below), with some later models designed as system-on-a-chip (SoC).

[1] Marvell then extended the brand to include processors with other microarchitectures, like Arm's Cortex.

[3] The XScale core is used in a number of microcontroller families manufactured by Intel and Marvell: There are also standalone processors: the 80200 and 80219 (targeted primarily at PCI applications).

The code-names for this product line are small towns in Texas, primarily near deer hunting leases frequented by the Intel XScale core and mobile phone SoC marketing team.

Intel XScale Core Features : The PXA26x family (code-named Dalhart) consists of the PXA260 and PXA261-PXA263.

They demonstrated it showing its capability to play back high definition encoded video on a PDA screen.

[13] An Intel executive stated that the chip version used in the phone was reworked to be less expensive than the initial one.

The PXA16x delivers strong performance at a mass market price point for cost sensitive consumer and embedded markets such as digital picture frames, E Readers, multifunction printer user interface (UI) displays, interactive VoIP phones, IP surveillance cameras, and home control gadgets.

[18] The PXA930 and PXA935 processor series were again built using the Sheeva microarchitecture developed by Marvell but upgraded to ARMv7 instruction set compatibility.

After XScale and Sheeva, the PXA98x uses the third CPU core design, this time licensed directly from ARM, in form of dual core Cortex A9 application processors[26] utilized by devices like Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0.

The IOP3XX processors are based on the XScale architecture and designed to replace the older 80219 sd and i960 family of chips.

[29] XScale microprocessors were used in RIM's BlackBerry handheld, the Dell Axim family of Pocket PCs, most of the Zire, Treo and Tungsten Handheld lines by Palm, later versions of the Sharp Zaurus, the Motorola A780, the Acer n50, the Compaq iPaq 3900 series, and in other PDAs.

At the other end of the market, the XScale IOP33x Storage I/O processors are used in some Intel Xeon-based server platforms.

On June 27, 2006, the sale of Intel's XScale PXA mobile processor assets was announced.

Intel agreed to sell the XScale PXA business to Marvell Technology Group for an estimated $600 million in cash and the assumption of unspecified liabilities.

The move was intended to permit Intel to focus its resources on its core x86 and server businesses.

[31] The XScale effort at Intel was initiated by the purchase of the StrongARM division from Digital Equipment Corporation in 1998.