New Intel compilers target wireless devices

NEW DELHI: Intel Corporation has announced that it is launching compilers for processors based on Intel XScale technology. According to a company press release, its first set of compilers are aimed at helping developers write applications for Intel personal Internet client architecture-based PDAs, cell phones and other wireless devices using its Xscale technology-based processors.

According to an Intel communiqué, while software developers use compilers to translate such programming languages as C++ into the language understood by the processor, an efficient compiler like the one being introduced by the company is important for software to run at top speeds. The new Intel C++ compiler for Microsoft eMbedded Visual C++ is part of Intel's suite of compilers, which also includes tools for its Pentium 4, Xeon and Itanium 2 processors. What this means is that developers can now use one set of tools for applications that span enterprise, home and mobile computing devices based on Intel processors.

"Availability of these new compilers means developers now have optimized tools to improve the performance of applications spanning Intel-based mobile and wireless devices, desktops and servers," said Intel's Software Products Division general manager Jon Khazam. "Our detailed knowledge of processor architecture allows us to design tools for the Intel XScale technology, Pentium 4, Intel Xeon and Intel Itanium 2 processor families that bring out the best in Intel-based computing and communication systems," he added.

Optimized for Intel XScale technology-based processors, applications built with the new compilers should exhibit improved graphical quality, enhanced user-interactivity and better communication with other devices in a network. Personal productivity applications, games and core cell-phone operations and utilities can also realize performance benefits.

Talking about the benefits gained by Global IP Sound the company’s director of product management Mats Perjons said, "By switching to the Intel C++ compiler and tools for Intel XScale technology, we achieved a 45 percent performance improvement in the core parts of our voice-over-IP application for handheld devices."

The new compilers support many features already available in version 7.1 of the Intel C++ compilers for Microsoft Windows and offer full support for Intel XScale technology-based processors, including the Intel PXA25x and the Intel PXA26x. It also provides support for Intel Wireless MMX technology, compatibility with Microsoft Windows CE .NET Platform Builder and Embedded Visual C++, interprocedural optimization, floating-point emulation libraries, support for Microsoft-specific intrinsic functions. What’s more the version for system manufacturers also has a debugging extensions that simplifies system development.

The compilers are available in two forms. While the Intel C++ Compiler for Microsoft eMbedded Visual C++ would be made available at a list price of $399 and is intended for application development use, the Intel C++ Compiler for Platform Builder for Microsoft Windows CE .NET would cost $1,499 and is intended for OEM and system integrator use.

(CNS)