Abstract: The developing wave of enthusiasm for multicore architectures is opening new vistas for designers to develop complete microsystems compressed to fit on a single chip. One consequence of this shift is that traditional notions of a general purpose processor that can be combined with other standard components to create a generic system no longer apply. Rather than one size fits all, multicore designs are far more effective when tailored for specific tasks. This trend toward divergent designs is likely to favor some important shifts in the microprocessor industry, including the need to infuse chip designs with both systems and software expertise.
Bio: David Yen, brings over 26 years of technology know-how, engineering vision and strong business management expertise to Sun Microsystems, Inc. As Executive Vice President of the company's Scalable Systems Group, David Yen is responsible for driving Sun's Throughput Computing and Throughput Networking initiatives. Under SSG, Yen has unified Sun's microprocessors, enterprise systems and SPARC-based volume systems initiatives, and continues driving product development, strategy, marketing and overall business management.
Yen earned a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from National Taiwan University in 1973, received an M.S. and Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1980, and completed a General Management Program at Stanford Business School in 1993. David Yen also holds three U.S. Patents.

“ Opening Doors to the Multicore Era”