AMD's APUs Get Real-Time Boost from Express Logic

The VAR Guy has seen his share of technology shifts as user preferences have moved from the desktop to the notebook to mobility devices. The latest shift has chip vendors working frantically to build processors that are smaller, faster and more efficient. AMD’s efforts, in particular,  have not gone unnoticed: AMD’s Q1 results were up, due in large part to its APUs. Now the company is looking to integrate the APUs with Express Logic’s ThreadX Real-Time Operating System software. What does that mean, and more importantly, how does this affect the channel? Read on for some perspective …

AMD’s APUs are essentially low-power multi-core x86 CPUs with an onboard GPU inside a tiny die, ideal for tiny embedded systems that need some serious power. The G-Series APUs will include real-time operating system support, thanks to Express Logic, which means AMD’s APUs can natively run ThreadX in high-demand embedded environments. Perfect examples are point-of-sale devices or even airline ticket kiosks (which The VAR Guy is abundantly familiar with).

What makes ThreadX special? It’s royalty-free, which AMD believes makes its APUs an attractive and affordable solution that could be key in medical, retail and transportation markets. AMD hints at gaming, too. Could this possibly mean an AMD APU tablet in the future? Maybe The VAR Guy is getting ahead of himself …

In the meantime, ThreadX can offer “instant-on” capabilities, and a 6KB footprint with automatic scaling based on application needs. VARs working in the POS market or even digital signage can definitely use that kind of power.

As always, The VAR Guy wonders whether AMD can fend off rival Intel, but so far our resident blogger remains bullish on AMD’s APU technology. If nothing else, it can help the market and increases competition.

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