updates/023_2020mar26_decoder_emulator_started.mdwn

   1 So many things happened since the last update they actually need to go
   2 in the main update, even in summary form.  One big thing: Raptor Engineering
   3 sponsored us with remote access to a TALOS II Workstation!
   4
   5 # Introduction
   6
   7 Here's the summary (if it can be called a summary):
   8
   9 * [An announcement](http://lists.libre-riscv.org/pipermail/libre-riscv-dev/2020-March/004995.html)
  10   that we got the funding (which is open to anyone - hint, hint) resulted in
  11   at least three people reaching out to join the team.  "We don't need
  12   permission to own our own hardware" got a *really* positive reaction.
  13 * New team member, Jock (hello Jock!) starts on the coriolis2 layout,
  14   after Jean-Paul from LIP6.fr helped to dramatically improve how coriolis2
  15   can be used.  This resulted in a
  16   [tutorial](https://libre-riscv.org/HDL_workflow/coriolis2/) and a
  17   [huge bug report discussion](http://bugs.libre-riscv.org/show_bug.cgi?id=178)
  18 * Work has started on the
  19   [POWER ISA decoder](http://bugs.libre-riscv.org/show_bug.cgi?id=186),
  20   verified through
  21   [calling GNU AS](https://git.libre-riscv.org/?p=soc.git;a=blob;f=src/soc/decoder/test/test_decoder_gas.py;h=9238d3878d964907c5569a3468d6895effb7dc02;hb=56d145e42ac75626423915af22d1493f1e7bb143) (yes, really!)
  22   and on a mini-simulator
  23   [calling QEMU](https://git.libre-riscv.org/?p=soc.git;a=blob;f=src/soc/simulator/qemu.py;h=9eb103bae227e00a2a1d2ec4f43d7e39e4f44960;hb=56d145e42ac75626423915af22d1493f1e7bb143)
  24   for verification.
  25 * Jacob's algorithmic library grows
  26   [Power FP compatibility](http://bugs.libre-riscv.org/show_bug.cgi?id=258)
  27   and python bindings.
  28 * A Conference call with OpenPOWER Foundation Director, Hugh, and Timothy
  29   Pearson from RaptorCS has been established every two weeks.
  30 * The OpenPOWER Foundation is also running some open
  31   ["Virtual Coffee"](https://openpowerfoundation.org/openpower-virtual-coffee-calls/)
  32   weekly round-table calls for anyone interested, generally, in OpenPOWER
  33   development.
  34 * Tim sponsors our team with access to a Monster Talos II system with a
  35   whopping 128 GB RAM.  htop lists a staggering 72 cores (18 real
  36   with 4-way hyperthreading).
  37 * [Epic MegaGrants](http://lists.libre-riscv.org/pipermail/libre-riscv-dev/2020-March/005262.html)
  38   reached out (hello!) to say they're still considering our
  39   request.
  40 * A marathon 3-hour session with [NLNet](http://nlnet.nl) resulted
  41   in the completion of the
  42   [Milestone tasks list(s)](http://bugs.libre-riscv.org/buglist.cgi?component=Milestones&list_id=567&resolution=---)
  43   and a
  44   [boat-load](http://lists.libre-riscv.org/pipermail/libre-riscv-dev/2020-March/thread.html)
  45   of bug reports to the list.
  46 * Immanuel Yehowshua is participating in the Georgia Tech
  47   [https://create-x.gatech.edu/](Create-X) Programme, and is establishing
  48   a Public Benefit Corporation in Atlanta, as an ethical vehicle for VC
  49   Funding.
  50 * A [Load/Store Buffer](http://bugs.libre-riscv.org/show_bug.cgi?id=216)
  51   design and
  52   [further discussion](http://bugs.libre-riscv.org/show_bug.cgi?id=257)
  53   including on
  54   [comp.arch](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.arch/cbGAlcCjiZE)
  55   inspired additional writeup
  56   on the
  57   [6600 scoreboard](https://libre-riscv.org/3d_gpu/architecture/6600scoreboard/)
  58   page.
  59
  60 Well dang, as you can see, suddenly it just went ballistic.  There's
  61 almost certainly things left off the list.  For such a small team there's
  62 a heck of a lot going on.  We have an awful lot to do, in a short amount
  63 of time: the 180nm tape-out is in October 2020 - only 7 months away.
  64
  65 # NLNet Funding announcement
  66
  67 TODO
  68
  69 # Coriolis2 experimentation started
  70
  71 TODO
  72
  73 # POWER ISA decoder and Simulator
  74
  75 TODO
  76
  77 # Arbitrary IEEE754 Algorithmic Library and POWER FP emulation
  78
  79 TODO
  80
  81 # OpenPOWER Conference calls
  82
  83 TODO
  84
  85 # OpenPower Virtual Coffee Meetings
  86
  87 TODO
  88
  89 # Sponsorship by RaptorCS with a TALOS II Workstation
  90
  91 TODO
  92
  93 # Epic Megagrants
  94
  95 TODO
  96
  97 # NLNet Milestone tasks
  98
  99 TODO
 100
 101 # Georgia Tech CREATE-X
 102
 103 TODO
 104
 105 # LOAD/STORE Buffer and 6600 design documentation
 106
 107 TODO
 108
 109 # Conclusion
 110
 111 TODO
 112