Sunday, September 11, 2005
Five minutes with: Dan Greenberg on plans for Cell
New interview at IBM developerWorks:
dW: Does the Cell Broadband Processor Architecture differ from the existing Power Architecture technology?
DG: The central processor in the Cell Broadband Engine is 100% 64-bit "Power Architecture Classic" compatible. For example, that means you can take software that runs on a PowerPC® 970 and run it on the Power Architecture core of Cell Broadband Engine and vice versa -- assuming of course, that the code does not leverage Cell's Synergistic Processing Units. This cross-leverage will allow us to build an ecosystem for Cell much faster than we might otherwise and, we expect, will increase interest in the Power Architecture ecosystem due to the broad awareness of Cell.
dW: Does the Cell Broadband Processor Architecture differ from the existing Power Architecture technology?
DG: The central processor in the Cell Broadband Engine is 100% 64-bit "Power Architecture Classic" compatible. For example, that means you can take software that runs on a PowerPC® 970 and run it on the Power Architecture core of Cell Broadband Engine and vice versa -- assuming of course, that the code does not leverage Cell's Synergistic Processing Units. This cross-leverage will allow us to build an ecosystem for Cell much faster than we might otherwise and, we expect, will increase interest in the Power Architecture ecosystem due to the broad awareness of Cell.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
IBM lead architect: Cell CPU could take PS3 beyond gaming, into Linux
New story at Tom's Hardware Guide:
More than just co-processors, Dr. Hofstee said, the SPEs are fully-capable processing units that are capable not only of running threads spawned off from a main program, but also running "single-core," scalar programs in their entirety - not only multithreading, but multitasking.
But also, in making that distinction, Dr. Hofstee wanted to make certain we recognized the Cell as a powerful general-purpose processor.
More than just co-processors, Dr. Hofstee said, the SPEs are fully-capable processing units that are capable not only of running threads spawned off from a main program, but also running "single-core," scalar programs in their entirety - not only multithreading, but multitasking.
But also, in making that distinction, Dr. Hofstee wanted to make certain we recognized the Cell as a powerful general-purpose processor.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Cell Broadband Engine @ SCEI
New official page of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. on Cell:
By opening up a wide set of technical specifications to software developers, business partners, academic and research organizations, and potential customers, SCEI, Sony, Toshiba and IBM continue their work to aggressively stimulate the creation of Cell-based applications. The goal: establish a thriving community of interest and innovation around Cell, allowing all interested parties to rapidly evaluate and utilize Cell technology.
By opening up a wide set of technical specifications to software developers, business partners, academic and research organizations, and potential customers, SCEI, Sony, Toshiba and IBM continue their work to aggressively stimulate the creation of Cell-based applications. The goal: establish a thriving community of interest and innovation around Cell, allowing all interested parties to rapidly evaluate and utilize Cell technology.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Cell Broadband Engine Architecture from 20,000 feet
New article at IBM developerWorks:
The Cell Broadband Engine Architecture (CBEA, or, informally, "Cell") defines a new processor structure based upon the 64-bit Power Architecture™ technology, but with unique features directed toward distributed processing and media-rich applications. The Cell architecture defines a single-chip multiprocessor consisting of one or more Power Processor Elements (PPEs) and multiple high-performance SIMD Synergistic Processor Elements (SPEs). While each SPE is an independent processor running its own application programs, a shared, coherent memory and a rich set of DMA commands provide for seamless and efficient communications between all Cell processing elements. This article provides a concise view inside the Cell's architecture.
The Cell Broadband Engine Architecture (CBEA, or, informally, "Cell") defines a new processor structure based upon the 64-bit Power Architecture™ technology, but with unique features directed toward distributed processing and media-rich applications. The Cell architecture defines a single-chip multiprocessor consisting of one or more Power Processor Elements (PPEs) and multiple high-performance SIMD Synergistic Processor Elements (SPEs). While each SPE is an independent processor running its own application programs, a shared, coherent memory and a rich set of DMA commands provide for seamless and efficient communications between all Cell processing elements. This article provides a concise view inside the Cell's architecture.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Cell companion chip gets hot demo
News at ZDNet:
Toshiba showed off a "super companion chip," or SCC, for the Cell that can record 48 separate MPEG 2 streams at once.
The chip, detailed at the Hot Chips conference taking place at Stanford University this week, is part of an effort by developers of the SCC and the Cell--IBM, Toshiba and Sony--to get the Cell into as many types of devices as possible.
The SCC is essentially a versatile, high-speed input-output port, according to Takayuki Mihara, an engineer with Toshiba. It receives regular and high-definition TV signals, audio and other data from set-top boxes, hard drives and similar items, and then forwards it to the processor.
Toshiba showed off a "super companion chip," or SCC, for the Cell that can record 48 separate MPEG 2 streams at once.
The chip, detailed at the Hot Chips conference taking place at Stanford University this week, is part of an effort by developers of the SCC and the Cell--IBM, Toshiba and Sony--to get the Cell into as many types of devices as possible.
The SCC is essentially a versatile, high-speed input-output port, according to Takayuki Mihara, an engineer with Toshiba. It receives regular and high-definition TV signals, audio and other data from set-top boxes, hard drives and similar items, and then forwards it to the processor.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Cell Microprocessor: An In-Depth Look at the Future
New article at CoolTechZone:
Nothing has created more media hype and anticipation than the next generation of gaming consoles from Microsoft (Xbox 360) and Sony (PlayStation 3). At the recently concluded E3 tradeshow, both of these devices were showcased to the audience and amazing promises were made to potential buyers.
Unlike most times however, this time there were solid facts behind the marketing hoopla and it seems both Sony and Microsoft have what it takes to truly bring powerful gaming consoles. The advancements in the hardware inside these consoles are nothing short of path breaking. We take a look below the bonnet and check out what makes these consoles tick.
Nothing has created more media hype and anticipation than the next generation of gaming consoles from Microsoft (Xbox 360) and Sony (PlayStation 3). At the recently concluded E3 tradeshow, both of these devices were showcased to the audience and amazing promises were made to potential buyers.
Unlike most times however, this time there were solid facts behind the marketing hoopla and it seems both Sony and Microsoft have what it takes to truly bring powerful gaming consoles. The advancements in the hardware inside these consoles are nothing short of path breaking. We take a look below the bonnet and check out what makes these consoles tick.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
PS3 to revolutionize personal computing, Sony says
News at LinuxDevices.com
Kutaragi says the Cell processor's separation and partitioning of each OS level will permit programmers to concentrate on their targeted areas of concern, without worrying about other levels, according to the EETimes Asia.
Kutaragi says the Cell processor's separation and partitioning of each OS level will permit programmers to concentrate on their targeted areas of concern, without worrying about other levels, according to the EETimes Asia.
