Jane, I have not heard but I look more into the technology than a particular industry activity like you describe. That is to say that such is also important but I find this far more interesting......
biz.yahoo.com
Monday April 29, 6:01 pm Eastern Time
SOURCE: AMD
AMD Adopts MIPS Technologies' 64-Bit Architecture
MIPS Technologies Licenses MIPS64 Microprocessor Architecture to AMD for the Development of Personal Connectivity Solutions
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2002-- MIPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:[21]MIPS - [22]news; Nasdaq:[23]MIPSB - [24]news), a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and business applications, and AMD (NYSE:[25]AMD - [26]news) today announced the MIPS64(TM) Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) has been licensed to AMD. With this license, AMD plans to develop 64-bit processors that implement the MIPS64 architecture standard in addition to its current product line of processors based on the MIPS32(TM) architecture standards.
"AMD strongly believes in the MIPS architecture, and that the 64-bit MIPS architecture will complement our current 32-bit MIPS32 technology-based products and ultimately, will serve new and different markets," said Dr. Billy Edwards, vice president and general manager of AMD's Personal Connectivity Solutions group. "Consumer demand for new information appliances that combine computing, Internet access, high quality multimedia and encryption for secure, high-speed transactions, is driving the need for both 32-bit and 64-bit processing. Both 32-bit and 64-bit MIPS architectures deliver the performance, power efficiency, and broad application-based industry support. In addition, they are designed to deliver a level of design flexibility and scalability unavailable from any other processor Intellectual Property (IP) provider."
Processor development work under the license is planned to be performed by AMD's Personal Connectivity Solutions (PCS) group, which was formed in February with the acquisition of Alchemy Semiconductor, Inc. The entire Alchemy design team, which spearheaded the development of high-performance, low-power, MIPS-based(TM) microprocessors for personal connectivity devices, has joined AMD's PCS group. AMD also holds an ISA license for the 32-bit MIPS32 architecture.
"The demand for high-performing Windows®-Powered multimedia devices continues to grow, and OEMS need high-performance processors to power these devices," said Scott Horn, director, Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. "AMD, with the MIPS64 architecture, will be able to offer a very compelling solution that enables OEMS to rapidly develop smart, affordable devices based on the current Windows CE.NET operating system."
"The momentum for 64-bit embedded processors is increasing, and AMD's licensing of the MIPS64 architecture is evidence of that. In the past nine months alone, nearly half of our licensing agreements have been for 64-bit architecture and cores," said John Bourgoin, chairman and CEO of MIPS Technologies. "We are particularly pleased that AMD, with its many years of experience in embedded markets and in microprocessor development, recognizes the value that 64-bit technology is bringing to these markets."
MIPS Technologies is the only company in the embedded processor industry to openly license a 64-bit architecture. It is supported by widely-used operating systems and embedded tool chains, as well as hundreds of applications. Such widespread support makes it a compelling solution for designers who want to quickly get to market with their next-generation products.
About AMD's Personal Connectivity Solutions Group
AMD's PCS Group currently has over 20 design wins for its 32-bit MIPS products and with its recently announced Au1100(TM) processor, claims an industry leading combination of performance, low power consumption and integration. AMD also enjoys support from numerous third-party software providers and an overlapping customer base with its Computational Products Group and Memory Group products.
About 64-Bit MIPS Architecture
About 64-Bit MIPS Architecture
MIPS Technologies began developing its 64-bit processor architecture more than 10 years ago, based on the RISC research of MIPS co-founder John Hennessy, currently president of Stanford University. Today, MIPS Technologies is the only company that openly licenses 64-bit architecture. More than a dozen companies, including AMD, Broadcom, IDT, LSI Logic, NEC, PMC-Sierra and Toshiba, have deployed the technology in processors for a variety of applications, including the Sony PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system, Motorola digital cable set-top boxes, and HP laser printers.
The growth in 64-bit processing is fueled by demand for features such as streaming audio and high-definition video for small and large displays, cryptography enhancements for e-commerce, better power efficiency and battery life in handheld devices, and the convergence of computing, communications, multimedia and encryption in new types of information appliances. The MIPS architecture has the rare capability of executing 32-bit and 64-bit code, in binary form, on 64-bit processors without the need to recompile. This allows system designers to select from a wealth of commercially available 32-bit and 64-bit MIPS code and accelerate the development of high-bandwidth, next-generation 64-bit products.
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