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DEEP INSIDE YOUR PALM DEVICE
How Palm was able to make the Palm V so small
By Brian Smith
Powering the original Pilot devices, the PalmPilot Personal and Professional organizers, and the Palm III product families has been the DragonBall MC68328 Integrated Microprocessor from Motorola. The next generation of processor, the DragonBall EZ MC68EZ238 Integrated Microprocessor is at the heart of the recently introduced Palm IIIx and Palm V devices.
"The processor core provides 2.7 MIPS of performance, roughly twice the computing power of the original Macintosh computer."
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In addition to Palm connected organizers, DragonBall family members can be found in a wide variety of consumer products from many vendors, such as pagers, fishfinders, educational products, toys, and communications devices. In addition, DragonBall family members power many other applications demanding integrated system-on-a-chip solutions that can function in cost-sensitive and battery-powered applications. Motorola's PageWriter 2000 2-Way ReFLEX Pager also uses a DragonBall processor.
Background
A microprocessor is essentially a computational engine that is built to perform a set of operations. When combined with a program, or a list of instructions (such as the Palm OS), and a method for information input and output (such as a touch-screen or keyboard), a microprocessor can become a very useful tool. In a PC, the processor is accompanied by many other separate components that perform such functions as display control, memory control, user input, data storage and power management.
Motorola's DragonBall family integrates the essential functions necessary to build handheld and embedded computer systems into a single piece of silicon. DragonBall EZ brings together the processor core, display controller, memory controller, sound generation, communication, and power management in a single component.
The DragonBall family was created at Motorola Semiconductor's design facility at the Tai Po Industrial Estate in Hong Kong. From its initial vision, it has been built for the needs of small, cost-sensitive and battery-powered applications.
The DragonBall EZ microprocessor provides the functionality of many devices that used to exist as separate components on a single piece of silicon.
Processor core
At the heart of the DragonBall EZ is the 68EC000 microprocessor core. This is a version of the original 68000 microprocessor from Motorola, optimized for low power consumption and high performance. It runs at a clock speed of 16MHz (or 16 million cycles per second). The EC000 core provides 2.7 MIPS of performance, roughly twice the computing power of the original Macintosh computer.
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For Writers' Guidelines and to discuss topics, contact Staff Editor Steve Niles. This is your opportunity to shine in front of your peers, your clients, and friends.
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