Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Power.org publishes unified ISA, Linux system spec
Nov. 06, 2006

Power.org has published a new PowerPC ISA (instruction set architecture) said to integrate and unify general-purpose and embedded PowerPC architectures. The non-profit organization has also published a Power Architecture Platform Requirements (PAPR) specification, aimed at helping PowerPC system vendors and Linux distributors create interoperable products.

Power.org is a community organization formed in December of 2004, shortly after IBM announced a "Linux-like" open governance model for its "Power" architecture. It has about 40 members, currently.

Power.org members IBM, Freescale, and AMCC announced plans to create a more unified Power architecture in February, when Freescale joined Power.org. The organization revealed more details about the unified ISA in July.

Power ISA 2.03

Power.org says the Power ISA 2.03 has a "base category" that "provides a commonality covering all types of Power Architecture platforms, including those in the server and embedded categories."

Additionally, the new ISA includes a set of "optional categories" said to "draw the embedded APUs (niche-specific architecture extensions) into the mainline architecture."

Power.org says that processors built on the 2.03 ISA will be software-compatible "at the user instruction set architecture level, as with previous ISA versions." Software developed for such processors will be built with compiler options that reflect which optional categories have been implemented.

Power Architecture Platform Requirements (PAPR)

The PAPR specification appears to be aimed at helping vendors of PowerPC-based servers and high-end embedded systems -- as well as Linux distributors -- to create products that are somewhat standardized and interoperable. In that regard, it follows in the footsteps of PReP (PowerPC Reference Platform), CHRP (common hardware reference platform), and possibly other cross-vendor initiatives to create a standard PowerPC bootloader.

Power.org says PAPR defines a "comprehensive computer system platform-to-software interface." As its name suggests, PAPR also specifies a set of "minimum system requirements." Systems based on the PAPR specification are affected by IBM-owned patents. However, IBM is making a royalty-free license for these patents available to Power.org members, it says.

Michael Paczan, Power.org CTO, stated, "Power has tremendous growth potential in the automotive, networking, wireless, and gaming markets, as well as consumer appliances and industrial control. The release of the specifications underscores the commitment from Power.org members to help simplify development around the Power Architecture platform."

Glenn Beck, marketing manager for Freescale, noted that "the release of this ISA is the first of many milestones planned for the architecture."

Availability

The Power ISA 2.03 and PAPR are available now from the Power.org website.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

Mobile phones!

MIDs, UMPCs
& tablets

Mobile devices

Other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• iPhones to xhost Linux apps
• Tactical Linux computer muscles up
• Virtualization technology targets multi-core ARM
• Die-shrunk x86 SoC draws 2 Watts at 1GHz
• Webinars explore RTOS-to-Linux driver migration
• Open phone goes robotic
• MontaVista touts Android readiness
• USB Linux key targets netbooks
• Via panel PC resists shock, liquids
• Linux provider touts support award
• World's smallest humanoid robot can run Linux
• Linux connects TVs to 'Net video
• Mot camera-phone runs widgets
• Linux-ready MILS kernel gains POSIX
• Multimedia processor plays H.264 video


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• "Moonlight" ready to shine
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• Debian Lenny installer arrives
• Ubuntu announces ARM port
• Amazon offers Linux XOs
• Windows 7 "no threat" to netbook Linux
• Creative frees Sound Blaster driver code
• Linux, netbooks threaten Microsoft's fat profits
• Ibex inspires GNOME switch
• Linux to outship Windows in 2009?


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.