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JAC
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 3469
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 Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:35 am Post subject: The Propeller chip - eight 32-bit processors in one chip for |
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http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/bespoke/bespoke7.jsp?ATT=hotproduct_text&CMP=NLC-Findings&bespokepage=farnell/en/ed_world/products/new/2007/wk3/parallax.jsp
Eight 32-bit processors in one chip for simultaneous multi-processing
PARALLAX developed and released its first custom-designed microcontroller, the Propeller, different in architecture to many available commercially.
It is based on a symmetrical arrangement of eight RISC processors (COGs) that work autonomously, processing tasks individually or in groups. The chip has capabilities no other chip matches. It is the next step in the evolution of microcontrollers and much more powerful than a standard controller. |
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spongiforme
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 168
Location: Montpellier, France
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| Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:19 am Post subject: |
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| Well, a chip is only as useful as the programs that run on it... if it's hard to program for, chances are that it won't be used to its full potential (kind of reminds me of the Cell BE processor - massive processing power but requires the decomposition of a program in sub tasks that run in their parallel world). Besides, this chip doesn't seem to offer much more processing power than what you have with established microcontrollers worth a few dollars... |
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JAC
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 3469
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| Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:17 am Post subject: |
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| spongiforme wrote: | | Well, a chip is only as useful as the programs that run on it... if it's hard to program for, chances are that it won't be used to its full potential (kind of reminds me of the Cell BE processor - massive processing power but requires the decomposition of a program in sub tasks that run in their parallel world). Besides, this chip doesn't seem to offer much more processing power than what you have with established microcontrollers worth a few dollars... |
really? .. I guess based on your complete critical assesment of the implementation PARALLAX will immediately cease production and go do something else. |
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spongiforme
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 168
Location: Montpellier, France
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| Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| On the other hand, why do you think this is an exciting chip? |
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JAC
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 3469
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| Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:39 am Post subject: |
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| spongiforme wrote: | | On the other hand, why do you think this is an exciting chip? |
Read the link! |
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spongiforme
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 168
Location: Montpellier, France
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| Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:49 am Post subject: |
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Believe me, I did it before my initial post.
I suggest having a look to this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_microprocessor
I applaud Sony for taking the risk to use this technology in the PlayStation 3, and do think the Cell has a lot of potential, but whether it's used by applications (games, in this context) remains to be seen. |
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spongiforme
Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 168
Location: Montpellier, France
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