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Domain: national.com

Stories and comments across the archive that link to national.com.

Comments · 112

  1. Small scale electrics by cybergremlin · · Score: 1 · on Electric Car Drag Racing
    You may want to look at something a little bit smaller. The Natcar competition sponsored by National Semiconductor is a contest to see who can build the fastest miniature autonomus electric vehicle. These RC car sized units follow a signal in a wire along the floor. Contestants not only learn how to let the car controll itself, but they have to build the motor controll and power management systems.

    As for the coments on fuel cells:
    Bill Gates is investing in fuel cell research. Why? Because a small fuel cell can run a laptop for a very long time.

  2. Re:I got em both beat by slashdot-me · · Score: 1 · on Intel Introduces 1 GHz Chips

    Yes, your phone does have a very fast processor. The processor is designed with a very specialized instruction set that is an extreme form of risc called a Parallel Logic Ladder (PLL). These processors are typified by the PLLatinum line from National Semiconductor.

    PLLs have an instruction set that is sparse even compared to conventional risc chips. Most PLLs only have one instruction, integer divide. This makes programming a bit cumbersome at times but modern compilers make the job easier.

    Over the last decade PLLs have worked their way into almost every wireless communications device. Their rapid growth has been attributed to the massive computational demands of the NSA's voice recognition software.

    Ryan

  3. Re:Cool. by bnolan · · Score: 2 · on Inexpensive Linux/BSD Handhelds
    Umm - are there any ongoing projects to put together pcb / circuit specifications to make a Linuxable pda?

    The itsy - did that have specifications? I think a project would be cool that was to make gpl circuit diagrams, so people can buy a crusoe cpu, compactflash card, ethernet driver and a touchscreen lcd - and make a hell funky pda.

  4. In Comparison by Shewmaker · · Score: 1 · on UPDATED: Transmeta's Crusoe Unveiled
    I saw the webpad in the CNN article and was wondering to myself what processors other webpads like Qubit's are using and how they stacked up against Crusoe. Anyway, I thought other people may be interested in reading about National Semiconductor's GXLV processor.

  5. Re:Whatever happened to the WebPad? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on New Intel uP for Ultra-Cheap PCs

    That's probably because National Semiconductor (Cyrix's former owners) have taken over the concept for themselves. It's powered by the Geode which is National's version of the Tinma.

    For info on the Webpad go here: http://www.national.com/webpad

    For info on the Geode go here: http://www.national.com/geode

    One thing that bothers me about the ZD article is there is no mention of the National Semiconductor Geode.

  6. Re:Whatever happened to the WebPad? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on New Intel uP for Ultra-Cheap PCs

    That's probably because National Semiconductor (Cyrix's former owners) have taken over the concept for themselves. It's powered by the Geode which is National's version of the Tinma.

    For info on the Webpad go here: http://www.national.com/webpad

    For info on the Geode go here: http://www.national.com/geode

    One thing that bothers me about the ZD article is there is no mention of the National Semiconductor Geode.

  7. Re:What about the fab? by markhb · · Score: 1 · on Transmeta to Release Processor in January?

    When National Semiconductor announced that they were selling the Cyrix line to VIA, they also said that they were looking to sell a good-sized piece of their interest in their South Portland facility. I haven't heard anything more on that part of it, so maybe it's still in play.

    BTW, as far as Transmeta's PR budget goes: it's Linus' salary. They get enough coverage out of the fact that they employ him (and give kernel.org the server space), that they can come out with an enormous IPO even if all Linus does is answer his Email all day. (NB: I'm not trying to imply that that's what he actually does... I'm sure he would not be comfortable in an environment where he was wanted only for his celebrity PR value.)

  8. Re:What about the fab? by markhb · · Score: 1 · on Transmeta to Release Processor in January?

    When National Semiconductor announced that they were selling the Cyrix line to VIA, they also said that they were looking to sell a good-sized piece of their interest in their South Portland facility. I haven't heard anything more on that part of it, so maybe it's still in play.

    BTW, as far as Transmeta's PR budget goes: it's Linus' salary. They get enough coverage out of the fact that they employ him (and give kernel.org the server space), that they can come out with an enormous IPO even if all Linus does is answer his Email all day. (NB: I'm not trying to imply that that's what he actually does... I'm sure he would not be comfortable in an environment where he was wanted only for his celebrity PR value.)

  9. Slashdot's selection of chips to discuss... by TurkishGeek · · Score: 2 · on One Chip For All Your Wireless Needs
    A lot of posts on this thread emphasized the need for chip that will make integrated, multipurpose appliances faster and cheaper. As I said in my previous post here, this chip is nothing more than a new DSP.

    There are much, much more exciting new chips on the market. You want cheaper network appliances running Linux? Check out National Geode SC1400, a single chip combining:
    • An x86 processor core
    • 3D graphics engine and audio
    • MPEG2 decoder
    • Video input
    • TV output
    • I/O including PCI, IDE, USB, RS232

    I think this is the kind of chip to discuss on Slashdot, not this wimpy glorified DSP. Slap one of these, a cheap hard disk, and some memory, and you've got a full PC compatible settop/network computer you can use with your TV.

    Now this is an exciting chip if I have ever seen one.
  10. Re:"Director of Federal Government Affairs" by jalefkowit · · Score: 1 · on MS Lobbies to Cut DOJ Antitrust Budget

    Actually, this is pretty common. I worked for a lobbying organization for a while and "Government Affairs" is the polite term for "lobbying". So "Director of Federal Government Affairs" is really the polite way of saying "Head Lobbyist for Congress". Lots of big corporations and corporate special interest organizations have "Government Affairs" offices to watch out for their interests.

    Shame you and I can't afford a "Government Affairs Director" to watch out for our interests, eh?

  11. Re:That's not how I remember it... by Milican · · Score: 1 · on Via Tech announces buyout of Cyrix

    I would say Cyrix more than likely has rights to Intel's Slot 1, but how that transfers to VIA will be up to the lawyers. My guess is VIA is in the game and they will begin legally producing slot 1 chipsets. I can see no other compelling reason for VIA purchasing Cyrix. Sorry for not doing the research for the first post.

    February 3, 1998
    Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC) and National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) announced they have settled a patent infringement lawsuit and extended the term of the existing patent cross-license agreement between the two companies. The settlement dismisses a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Cyrix Corporation against Intel in May 1997. Cyrix became a wholly owned subsidiary of National Semiconductor on Nov. 17, 1997. Under the settlement, Intel and National agreed to extend the term of their long-standing broad patent cross-license. Other terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

    Links
    National and Cyrix Press Release
    Intel's Press Release

    This info found easily thanks to Google. Google rules!

  12. Re:Sold or sacked? by subfarm · · Score: 2 · on National Semiconductor Selling Cyrix

    Definitely sacked.

    The press release is here.

    (So hah, you're wrong, Jordy)