| [News] Transmeta don't plan 68k support | ANN.lu |
| Posted on 14-Feb-2000 20:02 GMT by Christian Kemp | 33 comments
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Black Hand says he repeatedly mailed Transmeta to enquire about 68k emulation support, or the posibility to access and modifiy the morphing code. Here's what Frank Priscaro replied: Supporting the Amiga was something that we considered early on, but had to drop because all of our resources needed to be focused on the Linux and x86 markets. We have no plans at this time to support the 68K family of processors.
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| Transmeta don't plan 68k support : Comment 16 of 33 | ANN.lu |
| Posted by Mario Saitti on 14-Feb-2000 23:00 GMT | In reply to Comment 14 (Thomas Palestig):
> I din't expected that they should make a M68K emulation, but it's strange
> that they did emulation for the x86 series, do they realy need that, what i
Well not really. The x86 line is without a doubt the most succesful microprocessor ever. The problem with the x86 is that it's current technology is reaching it's limits. Both AMD and Intel are going to have serious problems keeping the line competitive in the near future. The same goes for the PPC.
Transmeta chose the x86 simply because the market is the largest and best suited to a take over by a new paradigm. Intel and AMD may not be able to continue the x86 line, but Transmeta will, and should be able to outpace any AMD or Intel proessor once their compiler is refined.
> know is all x86 series compatilble with older x86 and i think it's enough
> with Intel and AMD that makes processors that kills other CPU market.
VLIW (the model used in Crusoe) works by using software to replace large and complex amounts of hardware with even complex software. The flaw to this is that since the software is so directly tied to the processor, there is no compatibility whatsoever between generations, meaning all programs must be recompiled. Advantages are that simplified hardware means that frequency can be increased in huge leaps compared to either RISC or CISC.
Transmeta circumvents the compatibility issue in Crusoe by having the processor abstract itself using emulation. This meant either a new Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) was required, or the use of a 3rd party architecture. As you know they settled on X86.
So what you should understand is that the X86 ISA is primarily for one purpose, the generation compatibility between future Transmeta processors. In using VLIW, Transmeta have effectively eliminated most issues with the X86 line.
> And what I read is the speed of the Tramsmeta that same as "a standard pc" of > today..
That will not last. Neither AMD or Intel will be able to match a VLIW processor's clock speed in the long run now that advanced compilers like IBM's DAISY exist, unless they too adopt the technology.
> It's nice to see a company look back with nostalgi but why should a PC user
There is no nostalgia here. Transmeta have set the future...
> And the Trasmeta cpu does nearly the same as TAO's Elate, and both work in
> the software way but TAO's doeas it on all types of CPU (/FPU?) after some
> coding.. Atleast the old Motorola PPC CPU's din't need extra cooling, like
> the Transmeta.
The PPC line is as dead as the X86. IBM has already created the Crusoe equivalent for the PPC. It is only a matter of time before the technology begins to mature and is truly useful.
Finally, elate still needs a fast CPU. In 5 years the VLIW processors will be hitting at least 3 GHz. Can the X86 line also boast this?
Mario |
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