WOW!  2010 has been an absolutely stellar year for the AMD Embedded Solutions (AES) team.  Just in the first half of this year, AES has introduced several new processors – both BGA and socketed processors – along with supporting chipsets and discrete GPUs aimed at the Embedded Client and Enterprise markets. And 2010 ain’t over yet!

We here in the trenches are working hard to support the needs of the embedded developer community.  One means of support is through our dedicated embedded Web sites.

For reliable and ready to go AES-based platforms visit the AMD Embedded Solutions Product Catalog on our public Web site (www.amd.com).  The companies listed in this database provide innovative solutions for AMD’s customers and targeted markets by supplying specific AMD Embedded-based product offerings. The database allows the user to search by application, form factor, and/or processor.

For the person who wants to get a feel for our product line, they can check out AMD Embedded Solutions also on our public Web site (www.amd.com).  Here one will find high-level features and product overviews for our Embedded products and technologies including processors, chipsets, discrete graphics, and platforms. 

 The designer who’s already decided on their solution (i.e., processor, chipset, and if higher graphics solutions are required, the GPU) should access the AMD Embedded Developer Support site (wwwd.amd.com/dev).  This site contains AMD confidential technical and marketing documentation and files for AMD Embedded Solutions, including processors, chipsets, discrete graphics, development boards, references designs and platforms, software, and technology partner links.  The site is password protected and the landing page has information on how to apply for access. 

One of the exciting features on the AMD Embedded Developer Support site is the System Design tab.  System Design solutions come in two formats:  Reference Design Kits (RDKs) and Reference Design Packages (RDPs).  Either may be the right place for our customers to start their design process.  

Our RDKs area includes a set of design collateral that has been verified by an actual hardware build.  Customers have the option of taking and modifying the RDK collateral as necessary to meet their product requirements or in the case where the RDK was co-developed with a development partner, the customer can engage directly with the partner to obtain a comparable or derivative solution. 

An RDP is an individual design package with feature sets based on industry standard form factors.  The RDPs include a starting set of schematics (DSN and PDF formats), a bill of material (BOM), and in most cases memory layout and gerber examples.  

The available collateral from either the RDKs or RDPs can help reduce product design/development times and associated costs.  

And there are plans for significant new upgrades to our developer site that will be implemented in the coming months. We are continually refining our developer resources and feedback is always welcome. 

I expect you may hear a lot of messages this week about the right tools and platforms for developers of all types of hardware and software.  From our view, the ultimate concern is our shared customers’ experience.  Whether it’s a small business server or an industrial control system, AMD is committed to giving you excellent support for truly comprehensive embedded platforms.

 Patty Pullin is the Technical Publications Manager for AMD Embedded Solutions.  Her postings are her own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.