From b5d1b9a596bea152a4d5d53f2a40d58c77e9ef20 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Luke Kenneth Casson Leighton Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2018 05:22:09 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] add first update, "why libre" --- updates/001_2018nov28_why_a_libre_soc.mdwn | 5 ++++- 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/updates/001_2018nov28_why_a_libre_soc.mdwn b/updates/001_2018nov28_why_a_libre_soc.mdwn index 620998d..fcc8dfc 100644 --- a/updates/001_2018nov28_why_a_libre_soc.mdwn +++ b/updates/001_2018nov28_why_a_libre_soc.mdwn @@ -62,7 +62,10 @@ you can mess about. All of this is because these are *integrated* processors. There is no separate VPU: it's on-board. There is no separate GPU: it's on-board. There is no separate "Northbridge" or "Southbridge" IC: it's on-board, -all on the same die as the actual processor. One single mistake and +all on the same die as the actual processor, as a way to save both on +space (think mobile phones) and power (driving external pins uses a huge +amount of power, which an "embedded" all-in-one design does not have). +The down-side of this all-in-one approach: one single mistake and the entire chip, with all the investment up to that point, is junk. And the problem is compounded by the fact that Foundries themselves make money -- 2.30.2