Embedded Design of Intel CPU w/Northbridge Chipset IC

[VMeht4]

Hello. We are a small software and hardware based company based out of Ottawa Canada. We are researching the latest Intel CPU's with integrated Northbridge chipset.and integrated Memory Controller and etc.

1. We understand that this IC does in fact have a logic (hard) core yes ?

2. Would this IC have just a single logic core or multiple logic core ?

3. How many layers does this all-in-one solution (CPU/Northbridge/Memory Controller/Graphics Controller) have ?

4. In general where would the design of this Northbridge logic core be located on die ? Would this logic core be located on the top most layer in the Northbridge area IC ?

5. How does this logic core get powered on and made active on power on or reset of the device ? Would it be by way of a RBL (ROM Bootloader) ?

6. If the answer to question 5 is yes then where would this RBL code be found ? Would it be on the same die as for the Northbridge IC in the ROM areas of the die ?

7. Would it be possible to embed a CPU core and ROM section into the area of the Northbridge IC ? If yes could this design work efficiently ? We would be happy to share the "why" basis of this question.

8. Can we obtain ANY block diagrams for this IC which paints a picture of the location of ANY circuit designs of internal RAM or ROM or EEPROM or flash memory and core areas located within this Northbridge IC areas on die ?

We may have also some follow up questions based on the responses we receive. Thanking you

Message was edited by: Victor Mehta This POST should be regarded as a question for Intel staff such as a Field Application Engineer to help provide answers.

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello MSS_BDD,

Thank you for contacting the Intel Embedded Community.

We will contact you via email to help you.

Best Regards,

Carlos_A.

[VMeht4]

Thank you Carlos.

Hopefully the sooner you and your team of FAE (Field Application Engineers) can assist us the sooner we can conclude our research.

Please feel free to ask any questions or voice any concerns over the rationale behind the line of questions. We can assure you and your team that we will be more than happy to divulge all details regarding the basis of these questions.

Thanking you

[Adolfo_S_Intel]

Hello MSS_BDD

For your first two questions about logic cores you can consult on the following site: http://ark.intel.com/ ARK | Your Source for Intel® Product Specifications on the specifications, the # of Threads indicate how many logic cores each processor has.

Regarding the rest of your questions they are highly confidential and this forums is not the best way to address them, since your are requesting layouts of the processors, it will require that your company sign an CNDA contract with Intel.

Please fill this form to request a priviledge account: https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/forms/intelligent-systems/registration-po.html https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/forms/intelligent-systems/registration-po.html

Could you please indicate what processor or processors of Intel are of interest for your project Are you interested on Core architecture like Skylake family or SoC like the Braswell?

Best Regards,

Adolfo.

[VMeht4]

Hello Adolfo.

Please excuse us for our late response. You have said the following: "For your first two questions about logic cores you can consult on the following site: [link] on the specifications, the # of Threads indicate how many logic cores each processor has"

What we would like to learn is how many logic cores does the NorthBridge integrated circuit alone have within it's own ares on die ? Perhaps we are mistaken and the logic cores of the NorthBridge has been moved into the cores of the integrated circuit design of the CPU ? Our questions are directed toward the NB chipset integrated design however our understanding of this design may be somewhat obscured and incorrect.

As for the the second part of your response we would be happy to complete the registration form located at the link you've kindly provided.

Thank you

[VMeht4]

Hello AdolfoS.

We already have an account and profile for the site located at the link you have provided above. We would like to share that we have already submitted the CDNA form. It was completed and approved sometime around 2015-12-10. Since we have already done so would a member of your team (perhaps a qualified FAE) be able to communicate the details of the information we are searching for via email ?

Thanking you

[Adolfo_S_Intel]

Hello MSS_BDD

I have checked that you have a Priviledge Account and CNDA in place.

I have requested that someone from Intel Division contact you to talk about your project with more detail, and determine the best way to help you to accomplish it.

I hope they will contact you as soon as possible.

Best Regards,

Adolfo Sanchez.

[VMeht4]

Hello AdolfoS.thank you for the response. Just to be clear what we need is the assistance of an Intel FAE to help us with the questions we have asked above.

We have two projects on the go which involve multi core Intel CPU and Northbridge chipset design. The first one involves a client who has approached us to investigate certain embedded Northbridge chipset devices such as desktop and laptop computers which may possibly be circumventing the manufacturers design and specifications. Most of these devices using the Intel Northbridge chipset IC may likely contain an embedded processor core in addition to the documented logic core. So our questions which we have posted here are based on the foundation of an investigative research perspective on behalf of our client.

As for our second project our company has plans to implement a network security end point appliance which will likely require an Intel based CPU core and Northbridge chipset IC implementations. Since our application involves network security and thereby the protection of network data it is essential that our entire model contain security features right from the onset. We cannot afford to leave the design features left to chance or to sheer ignorance of any security measures. Our appliance will be the focal point of entry by outside the network users which would require the necessity of the highest level of security. We are at a pre design phase and needed to start our research somewhere.

We hope the above details helps clears up the rational for the line of questions we are attempting to obtain answers for. Please feel free to ask

any further questions as we are here to fully cooperate with your company.

Thanking you

[VMeht4]

Hello Adolfo Sanchez. We have yet to receive any contact from anyone from Intel ? Would you be able to provide any updates ?

Thank you

[VMeht4]

Hello AdolfoS. Would you mind following up with the Intel Division to find out when can we expect a response ? What we ideally need a FAE familiar with the Northbridge design of any Intel CPU/Northbridge/Southbridge platform. Could you perhaps touch basis with the appropriate division please ?

[Adolfo_S_Intel]

Hello MSS_BDD

Thanks for your notification,

I will check again with the proper department from Intel,

I apologize for the delay.

Regards,

Adolfo

[idata]

Hi, Victor!

I understand that you were able to speak with Holli, an Intel account manager, and our FAE, David on February 4th. They will continue to be your point of contact so please feel free to reach out to them directly using the contact information they provided. I also performed a search on Northbridge and found some content that may be helpful to you. Here's a link to the search results: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/search.html?toplevelcategory=Embedded&keyword=northbridge&:cq_csrf_token=undefined# keyword%3Dnorthbridge&filters=&shadowFilters= Search Results. You can refine the results by using the dropdown option in the right side of the page.

Scott

[VMeht4]

Thank you Scott yes we have established contacts with Holli and David.