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Edited by David Weaver
 Open-source software? Sure, everyone has heard of that. We all take advantage of it as we navigate through the Internet (OpenSolaris, Java, Linux, Apache, Perl, etc.) and even when we sit down to relax with TiVo (Linux) or watch a Blu-Ray disc (Java). But open-source hardware ... eh? What is open-source hardware?! Small amounts of computer hardware Intellectual Property (IP) have been available for many years in open-source form, typically as circuit descriptions written in an RTL (Register Transfer Level) language such as Verilog or VHDL. However, until now, few large hardware designs have been available in open-source form. One of the most complex designs imaginable is for a complete microprocessor; with the notable exception of the LEON 32-bit SPARC processor, none have been available in open-source form until recently. In March 2006, the complete design of Sun Microsystems' UltraSPARC T1 microprocessor was released-in open-source form, it was named OpenSPARC T1. In early 2008, its successor, OpenSPARC T2, was also released in open-source form. These were the first (and still only) 64-bit microprocessors ever open-sourced. They were also the first (and still only) CMT (chip multithreaded) microprocessors ever open-sourced. Both designs are freely available from the OpenSPARC website, http://www.OpenSPARC.net, to anyone. These downloads include not only the processor design source code but also simulation tools, design verification suites, Hypervisor source code, and other helpful tools. Variants that easily synthesize for FPGA targets are also available.
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This book is intended as a "getting started" companion to both OpenSPARC T1 and OpenSPARC T2. Now that Sun has open-sourced OpenSPARC T1 and T2, what can they be used for? One thing is certain: the real-world uses to which OpenSPARC will be put will be infinitely more diverse and interesting than anything that could be suggested in this book! OpenSPARC Internals was largely written by the team of OpenSPARC designers, developers, and programmers to acquaint readers with OpenSPARC and to guide users as they develop their own OpenSPARC designs. Here are some highlights of the book:
- How to customize and use OpenSPARC
- How to start using OpenSPARC code
- How to make basic changes including
- configuring number of cores or threads
- paring to a smaller size
- fitting on an FPGA
- adding extensions
- How to set up
- simulation environment
- emulation environment
- How to verify an OpenSPARC design
OpenSPARC Internals
Edited by David Weaver
Published by Sun Microsytems, Inc.
369 pages
First printing, October 2008
ISBN 978-0-557-01974-8
What are they saying about OpenSPARC Internals?
"The coverage is extremely broad and deep, from the basics of the OpenSPARC architecture, the rationale for throughput optimized microprocessor design, and the microarchitecture of the T1 and T2 implementations to a roadmap for using the T1 and T2 design database and design verification suites."
Kunle Olukotun
Stanford University
Professor, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Founder, Afara Websystems
Director, Pervasive Parallelism Lab
"OpenSPARC Internals provides an in-depth explanation of UltraSPARC T1/T2 internal architecture. It also serves as a detailed reference for guiding the implementation of a chip multithreaded microprocessor or the development of a SoC based application system. This book plays a significant role in helping promote not only the application of UltraSPARC T1/T2 but also the research and development of a chip multithreaded microprocessor as well as its applications."
Dongsheng Wang, Ph.D.
Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Professor, Dept. of Computer Science
Director of Microprocessor and SoC Center
"Like the open-source OpenSPARC T1 and T2 projects, OpenSPARC Internals delivers a comprehensive package. The book tells a complete story behind Sun's current flagship chip-multithreaded (CMT) processors-from the design theories and internals to the development tools and methodologies. The book is especially indispensable to anyone interested in uncovering ways to take advantage of the open-source OpenSPARC projects."
James C. Hoe
Carnegie Mellon University
Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering
"This book provides a wealth of practical tips for getting started using OpenSPARC, and OpenSPARC provides a great design to take full advantage of modern FPGAs."
Ivo Bolsens Chief Technology Officer, Xilinx Corporation
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