Programmable processors: Make them for all, or one?

By Jeff Bier, Courtesy of EE Times
Mar 12 2007 (9:00 AM)

These days, there are so many startups developing programmable processors that it feels like we're back in the bubble years, when anyone with a remotely viable processor design could secure venture funding.

A pivotal question for the current crop of startups is whether to offer their processors as flexible, general-purpose chips or as highly specialized, application-specific solutions. Should their product be a jack-of-all-trades or a master of one?

If the processor is complex or the programming tools iffy, vendors may be more successful if they offer a full application-specific solution--one that comes complete with robust application software and hardware reference designs. This way, their customers can enjoy the power of the new device without having to learn all the nitty-gritty details of the architecture and tools. But this approach requires deep application expertise and system design skills--and many processor companies don't have these kinds of resources. A narrow market focus can also be risky: There are fewer potential customers, and hence fewer shots at success.

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