Ebook: The SPARC Technical Papers

With the SPARC (Scalable Processor ARChitecture) architecture and system software as the underlying foundation, Sun Microsys­ terns is delivering a new model of computing-easy workgroup computing-to enhance the way people work, automating processes across groups, departments, and teams locally and globally. Sun and a large and growing number of companies in the computer industry have embarked on a new approach to meet the needs of computer users and system developers in the 1990s. Originated by Sun, the approach targets users who need a range of compatible computer systems with a variety of application soft­ ware and want the option to buy those systems from a choice of vendors. The approach also meets the needs of system developers to be part of a broad, growing market of compatible systems and software-developers who need to design products quickly and cost-effecti vel y. The SPARe approach ensures that computer systems can be easy to use for all classes of users and members of the workgroup, end users, system administrators, and software developers. For the end user, the SPARC technologies facilitate system set-up and the daily use of various applications. For the system administrator supporting the computer installation, setting up and monitoring the network are easier. For the software developer, there are ad­ vanced development tools and support. Furthermore, the features of the SPARC hardware and software technologies ensure that SPARC systems and applications play an important role in the years to come.

---

With SPARC, Sun Microsystems' RISC (reduced instructions set computer) high-speed processor, desktop workstations exceeded the capabilities of microcomputers. SPARC, which stands for Scalable Processor Architecture, has a unique design that makes it possible for a variety of SPARC implementation to run identical software. This breakthrough technology from Sun has changed the way workstations are developed. Instead of remaining a niche market for technical professionals, SPARC opens the way for all levels of computer users to benefit from technical improvements. In this book, Springer-Verlag has collected the most advanced work from the designers and implementors of SPARC tech- nology. System designers, computer scientists, and students of RISC technology will benefit from using this book.

---

With SPARC, Sun Microsystems' RISC (reduced instructions set computer) high-speed processor, desktop workstations exceeded the capabilities of microcomputers. SPARC, which stands for Scalable Processor Architecture, has a unique design that makes it possible for a variety of SPARC implementation to run identical software. This breakthrough technology from Sun has changed the way workstations are developed. Instead of remaining a niche market for technical professionals, SPARC opens the way for all levels of computer users to benefit from technical improvements. In this book, Springer-Verlag has collected the most advanced work from the designers and implementors of SPARC tech- nology. System designers, computer scientists, and students of RISC technology will benefit from using this book.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
The Scalable Processor Architecture (SPARC)....Pages 3-31
The Scalable Processor Architecture (SPARC)....Pages 33-47
A RISC Tutorial....Pages 49-66
Why RISC Has Won....Pages 67-70
SPARC: A Total Solution for RISC....Pages 71-80
The Role of RISC in Advanced Computer Design....Pages 81-88
Front Matter....Pages 89-89
First 32-Bit SPARC-Based Processors Implemented in High-Speed CMOS....Pages 91-99
SPARC: An ASIC Solution for High-Performance Microprocessors....Pages 101-119
SPARC Implementations: ASIC vs. Custom Design....Pages 121-129
Sunrise: A High-Performance 32-Bit Microprocessor....Pages 131-149
CMOS Custom Implementation of the SPARC Architecture....Pages 151-157
CMOS Gate-Array Implementation of the SPARC Architecture....Pages 159-171
Implementing SPARC: A High-Performance 32-Bit RISC Microprocessor....Pages 173-189
Design Considerations for a Bipolar Implementation of SPARC....Pages 191-200
Bipolar ECL Implementation of SPARC....Pages 201-211
Implementing SPARC in ECL....Pages 213-232
SPARC: An Open RISC Architecture....Pages 233-245
Front Matter....Pages 247-247
Optimizing Compilers for the SPARC Architecture....Pages 249-279
Development Tools for RISC: An Array of Tools for SPARC Designs....Pages 281-289
Sun’s SPARC Embedded Development Tools....Pages 291-304
Front Matter....Pages 247-247
Software Considerations for Real-Time RISC....Pages 305-312
SPARC for Real-Time Applications....Pages 313-321
Front Matter....Pages 323-323
SunOS on SPARC....Pages 325-338
SunOS Multi-Thread Architecture....Pages 339-372
Understanding the Application Binary Interface....Pages 373-378
SPARC Compliance Definition....Pages 379-389
Front Matter....Pages 391-391
Concept To System: How Sun Microsystems Created SPARCstationl Using LSI Logic’s ASIC System Technology....Pages 393-402
SBus Takes I/O Performance Into the ’90s....Pages 403-408
SPARC MBus Overview....Pages 409-423
Understanding MBus....Pages 425-442
Front Matter....Pages 443-443
Licensing Strategy at Sun Microsystems....Pages 445-454
Front Matter....Pages 455-455
An Analysis of MIPS and SPARC Instruction Set Utilization on the SPEC Benchmarks....Pages 457-492
Back Matter....Pages 493-501

---

With SPARC, Sun Microsystems' RISC (reduced instructions set computer) high-speed processor, desktop workstations exceeded the capabilities of microcomputers. SPARC, which stands for Scalable Processor Architecture, has a unique design that makes it possible for a variety of SPARC implementation to run identical software. This breakthrough technology from Sun has changed the way workstations are developed. Instead of remaining a niche market for technical professionals, SPARC opens the way for all levels of computer users to benefit from technical improvements. In this book, Springer-Verlag has collected the most advanced work from the designers and implementors of SPARC tech- nology. System designers, computer scientists, and students of RISC technology will benefit from using this book.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
The Scalable Processor Architecture (SPARC)....Pages 3-31
The Scalable Processor Architecture (SPARC)....Pages 33-47
A RISC Tutorial....Pages 49-66
Why RISC Has Won....Pages 67-70
SPARC: A Total Solution for RISC....Pages 71-80
The Role of RISC in Advanced Computer Design....Pages 81-88
Front Matter....Pages 89-89
First 32-Bit SPARC-Based Processors Implemented in High-Speed CMOS....Pages 91-99
SPARC: An ASIC Solution for High-Performance Microprocessors....Pages 101-119
SPARC Implementations: ASIC vs. Custom Design....Pages 121-129
Sunrise: A High-Performance 32-Bit Microprocessor....Pages 131-149
CMOS Custom Implementation of the SPARC Architecture....Pages 151-157
CMOS Gate-Array Implementation of the SPARC Architecture....Pages 159-171
Implementing SPARC: A High-Performance 32-Bit RISC Microprocessor....Pages 173-189
Design Considerations for a Bipolar Implementation of SPARC....Pages 191-200
Bipolar ECL Implementation of SPARC....Pages 201-211
Implementing SPARC in ECL....Pages 213-232
SPARC: An Open RISC Architecture....Pages 233-245
Front Matter....Pages 247-247
Optimizing Compilers for the SPARC Architecture....Pages 249-279
Development Tools for RISC: An Array of Tools for SPARC Designs....Pages 281-289
Sun’s SPARC Embedded Development Tools....Pages 291-304
Front Matter....Pages 247-247
Software Considerations for Real-Time RISC....Pages 305-312
SPARC for Real-Time Applications....Pages 313-321
Front Matter....Pages 323-323
SunOS on SPARC....Pages 325-338
SunOS Multi-Thread Architecture....Pages 339-372
Understanding the Application Binary Interface....Pages 373-378
SPARC Compliance Definition....Pages 379-389
Front Matter....Pages 391-391
Concept To System: How Sun Microsystems Created SPARCstationl Using LSI Logic’s ASIC System Technology....Pages 393-402
SBus Takes I/O Performance Into the ’90s....Pages 403-408
SPARC MBus Overview....Pages 409-423
Understanding MBus....Pages 425-442
Front Matter....Pages 443-443
Licensing Strategy at Sun Microsystems....Pages 445-454
Front Matter....Pages 455-455
An Analysis of MIPS and SPARC Instruction Set Utilization on the SPEC Benchmarks....Pages 457-492
Back Matter....Pages 493-501
....