Startup Intelasys Targets Multicore Processors

Online staff -- Electronic News, 10/24/2005

With the aim to develop and manufacture multicore processors for use in compact embedded applications requiring low-power operation, industry veterans Chester Brown and Charles Moore have founded startup Intelasys Inc. based in Cupertino, Calif.

Brown, who is serving as president and CEO, brings more than 30 years of experience managing IC and subsystem development for computer storage, communications, storage networking and video applications.

Moore is known for inventing the Forth software language and serves as CTO for both Intelasys and its parent, the TPL Group, an intellectual property management company.

“The amazing versatility of semiconductor technology becomes evident when innovative chip architectures are integrated with inventive software and system-specific algorithms. We believe our novel approach to multicore processor design will demonstrate an unprecedented combination of high-speed processing and low-power operation for embedded applications,” Brown said, in a statement.

He believes Intelasys’ “Sea of Processors Platform” will raise the performance-per-watt bar for a host of embedded applications.

Details of this platform were not released, except to say that product development is making progress. “We are currently interviewing candidates to fill new engineering and manufacturing positions, and expect to demonstrate beta versions of our first chip to key customers in the first quarter of 2006,” he said.

Moore co-founded Forth Inc. in 1971, and developed the Forth-based chip taken to market by Harris Corp. in the mid 1980s as the RTX2000, derivatives of which are still being widely used by NASA.

At Computer Cowboys, he designed the Sh-Boom microprocessor, and then co-founded iTV, an Internet Appliance manufacturer.

During the 1990s, Moore used his own CAD software to design several custom VLSI chips, including the F21 processor with a network interface.

More recently, he invented ColorForth and ported his VLSI design tools to it.

Brown industry experience includes a distinguished tenure with Western Digital where he held key positions in strategic marketing and international operations, formed two new business units, and served as a subsidiary president and CEO.

As executive VP at SyQuest Technology, he developed worldwide strategic alliances, channels and sales.

Brown earlier served as president and CEO for Prisma Devices, which he founded, and InfoChip Systems. As a founding member of Qlogic, he served as VP of marketing and manufacturing as well as acting COO. Brown also served as president and CEO of ConnectCom Solutions.