Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnewse!cwpjr
From: cwpjr@cbnewse.att.com (clyde.w.jr.phillips)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: Re: FPGA Forth engines
Summary: --<-->-- or are we speaking past each other?
Message-ID: <1990Dec6.223103.5766@cbnewse.att.com>
Date: 6 Dec 90 22:31:03 GMT
References: <9012061501.AA20109@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 52

In article <9012061501.AA20109@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>, wmb@MITCH.ENG.SUN.COM writes:
> > I'd also welcome any discussion of creating "generic"
> > FORTH engines using FPGA's that WOULD BE affordable
> > on singles quantities.
> 
> In calculating the cost, don't forget to amortize the up-front
> design and software development cost over the expected volume.
> 
> Forth can be ported relatively easily compared to many other
> languages, but nothing is free (unless it is being subsidized
> by somebody or something else).
> 
> Also, remember that selling small quantities is expensive in terms of
> support cost per unit sold.
> 
> Mitch Bradley, wmb@Eng.Sun.COM

Mitch,
	I still think you know an FPGA or simular device is essentially
like a PAL or EPROM, ie

A FORTH engine "design" translated by a FPGA "compiler"
would allow any one of us to purchase the apporpriate commodity FPGA
and with the appropriate FPGA "burner" ( like an eprom burner
but really a glorified PAL programmer ) simply roll your own
generic processor.

Reality may demand 2 or 3 possibly different type of "PALS"
to implement a usable "processor", but that will change.

Since I'm speaking of this as a FIG like project,
ie the FORTH engine Design being PD and generic,
and each individual who wants a thingie gets a copy 
of the design, buys the part and gets it "blown"
there is no heavy cost on any one participant,
once the design work is done.

I *see* this a a real possibility. I have for years but
it is seeming more feasable and with the current state of affairs
more desirable.

Do you get my point? I'd like to debate my vision,
not the standard mfg route. ( which you and I agree upon I beleive )

P.S. FPGA's will be amortized over a HUGE market so we would essentially
be riding the couttails of the entire industry.
Also just like FIG I could see Vendors coming along to update
and customize the Design for ASIC purposes and to sell support.

Let me know if you are tuned into this and want to flesh it out.
( Open Invitation One & all )
--Clyde