Redefining Computer Architectures
Tue, 07/12/2005 - 08:37
Systems Design
When everyone accepts something to be true it's usually time to take another look at it. This is certainly true when it comes to CPU architecture. Ron Wilson's latest column reexamines the great CISC vs. RISC architecture debate, especially regarding the CPUs relationship to memory.
We have been in a stagnant period regarding advances in computer architecture for a decade or more now. A lot has gotten done in that period due in part to the relative stability of that architecture, but the cracks are getting too big to ignore. Reexamining the CPU architecture is a good start, but the advent of SoC and FPGA-based macroarchitectures are an excellent opportunity to experiment a bit with more radical departures. The PC is capable of doing a lot of good things, but it is boring. Is there a better way?
Larry Mittag
We have been in a stagnant period regarding advances in computer architecture for a decade or more now. A lot has gotten done in that period due in part to the relative stability of that architecture, but the cracks are getting too big to ignore. Reexamining the CPU architecture is a good start, but the advent of SoC and FPGA-based macroarchitectures are an excellent opportunity to experiment a bit with more radical departures. The PC is capable of doing a lot of good things, but it is boring. Is there a better way?
Larry Mittag
