sunflash-Distributed to mailing list sun/NC/north-carolina sunflash-Send requests, problems to owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SPARC Technology Business Announcements SunFLASH Vol 58 #12 October 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstracts 58.12.A Sun Announces MicroSPARC-II Availability SMCC announced availability of its new microSPARC-(TM)II CPU in sample quantities. Samples of microSPARC-II running at 70 MHz are available through SMCC's SPARC Technology Business (STB) unit. 58.12.B Sun Announces Sale of ASIC Chipsets for SuperSPARC and MicroSPARC CPUs SMCC announced it is selling system support ASIC chipsets for the first time 58.12.C Sun Announces Semiconductor Sales Strategy Expands SPARC Technology Business Product Line to Provide "One-Stop Shopping" Alternative For SPARC Customers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Details -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Sun Announces MicroSPARC-II Availability SPARC Technology Business to Sell New CPUs MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- October 11, 1993 -- Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC) today announced availability of its new microSPARC-(TM)II CPU in sample quantities. The newest member of the microSPARC family of CPUs, microSPARC-II delivers low power consumption and two to three times the performance of the original microSPARC CPU for low-cost desktop, server, portable and high-end embedded markets. Samples of microSPARC-II running at 70 MHz are available through SMCC's SPARC Technology Business (STB) unit -- among the first CPUs to be available through STB's new chip distribution program, also unveiled today (see separate press release). As previously announced, microSPARC-II will be fabricated in the Fujitsu Limited three-level metal, 0.5 micron CMOS process. The microSPARC-II CPU features 16Kbytes of instruction cache and 8Kbytes of data cache -- each four times greater than its microSPARC predecessor. Employing selected superscalar techniques to speed instruction execution, microSPARC-II delivers estimated performance in the range of 51-63 SPECint92 and 43-56 SPECfp92 while operating from 70 to 100 MHz with existing compilers. The microSPARC-II also features an on-chip memory management unit, direct SBus interface and integrated floating point processor that doubles the execution rate for double precision floating point operations. The CPU's energy-efficient design requires only 3.3 volts to operate, significantly less than the 5 volts used in today's comparable microprocessors. On-chip power management features are included to dramatically reduce power consumption. In active mode the chip uses only 5 watts, while in standby mode power consumption is reduced by as much as 90%. The microSPARC-II can almost fully remove power from DRAMs for battery operations, making it ideal for portable applications such as laptop and notebook computers. The microSPARC-II will be available in volume production in early 1994. Building on the microSPARC Design By leveraging the chip design CAD tools and methodology developed during the creation of the first microSPARC CPU, STB was able to meet aggressive time-to-market goals for microSPARC-II. The STB design team developed the chip in less than one-half the time typically required for a CPU of this complexity. The single-scalar microSPARC-II design is a 32-bit implementation based on the openly available SPARC(R) Version 8 Architecture published by SPARC International. The Version 8 specification ensures binary compatibility with all current SPARC applications and with the 64-bit SPARC Version 9 specification. This helps to preserve end-user investment in application software based on the SPARC architecture. The microSPARC-II CPU supports Solaris(R) 2, the industry's leading distributed operating environment, and other operating systems, including NetWare(R) from Novell. A further advantage of SPARC compatibility is the ability to use the same system support ASICs with microSPARC-II as are used with microSPARC. As announced today, STB will be selling those ASICs along with the original chip manufacturer, NCR (see separate press release). In delivering microSPARC-II, STB is on schedule with the aggressive SPARC CPU Roadmap it unveiled earlier this year that called for three CPU families: microSPARC, SuperSPARC(TM) and UltraSPARC(TM). "By publishing the Roadmap, we committed ourselves to developing a family of microprocessors that would scale from low-end to high-end applications while still maintaining software compatibility," said Derek Meyer, director of SPARC marketing for SMCC. "With microSPARC-II, we have enhanced the performance of our low-end CPU family and maintained binary compatibility with all SPARC CPU designs." The FMI and STB partnership enabled the design team to leverage the strengths and synergies of each company in the development of microSPARC II. "We achieved our two main objectives in manufacturing microSPARC II: to create a low-cost CPU without jeopardizing performance and to ensure that the product was brought to market quickly," said Tom Miller, vice president of marketing at Fujitsu Microelectronics. "The new CPU will meet customer needs for high-performance and low-cost and will provide us with an excellent complement to our SPARClite(TM) embedded family for customers seeking the next step in performance." SPARC Technology Business is the microprocessor organization within Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC), the computer division of Sun Microsystems, Inc. STB was formed in April 1993 to develop, license and distribute SPARC technologies and products worldwide. Currently, STB has more than 400 employees working in microprocessor development, engineering, marketing and worldwide sales and support. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Sun Announces Sale of ASIC Chipsets for SuperSPARC and MicroSPARC CPUs New Board Design Package Also Unveiled MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- October 11, 1993 -- Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC) today announced it is selling system support ASIC chipsets for the first time. SMCC's SPARC Technology Business (STB) will sell the chips as part of its new sales strategy (see separate press release), giving systems designers an additional source for purchasing ASICs and CPUs. In addition, STB is expanding its portfolio of design kit products to include a new system board design with advanced on-board graphics capabilities. The ASIC chips sold by STB are identical to those used in SMCC's SPARCstation(TM) 10 and SPARCstation LX products. They are system support ASICs that have been specified and developed by SMCC, featuring graphics, audio, I/O, bus and memory control and video capabilities. As is the case with STB's CPUs, STB ASICs are available directly from original manufacturers, maintaining STB's commitment to keep SPARC open and available. For instance, NCR manufactures and sells the ASICs supporting microSPARC(TM) and other SBus-based systems. In that spirit of open access, STB announced the availability of SX graphics technology chips. These chips are designed for use in SuperSPARC systems and are available for purchase in advance of SMCC system availability. As a complement to the graphics chips, STB is also making available a new board design package that integrates the SX chips with SPARCstation 10 technology, offering a design solution with superior on-board graphics capabilities. "STB's combined offering of CPUs and ASICs is unique in an industry where customers often have to seek these types of components from multiple suppliers," said Elaine Miller, product line manager for SMCC. "As a single source for SPARC components, products and technologies, STB is truly setting itself apart from the rest of the competition." SPARC Technology Business is the microprocessor organization within Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC), the computer division of Sun Microsystems, Inc. STB was formed in April 1993 to develop, license and distribute SPARC technologies and products worldwide. Currently, STB has more than 400 employees working in microprocessor development, engineering, marketing and worldwide sales and support. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Sun Announces Semiconductor Sales Strategy Expands SPARC Technology Business Product Line to Provide "One-Stop Shopping" Alternative For SPARC Customers MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- October 11, 1993 -- Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC) today announced that it will sell SPARC(R) microprocessors and supporting ASIC chipsets for the first time through a worldwide sales and distribution channel established by SMCC's SPARC Technology Business (STB). STB will sell all existing and future components based on standard SPARC designs developed by STB, including all members of the microSPARC(TM), SuperSPARC(TM) and upcoming UltraSPARC(TM) CPU families. In response to customer requests for an open, single point of contact for SPARC technology purchases, STB will provide a "one-stop shopping" alternative for SPARC design technologies and components. The chip-selling strategy calls for SPARC CPUs and ASICs to be added to STB's existing line of SPARCstation(TM) designs, SPARCengine(R) boards and SPARC CPU designs -- including technology early access licenses. STB's objective is to complement existing distribution channels established by STB manufacturing partners, including Texas Instruments in the area of CPUs and NCR for system ASICs. "Customers can still purchase SMCC-developed SPARC CPUs and ASICs from their current range of suppliers -- only now they'll have an alternative SPARC source beyond the original manufacturers," said Chet Silvestri, STB's vice president of technology sales. "This expansion of STB's products will increase the options available to SPARC adopters and support additional market growth for SPARC." In addition to existing STB CPUs and ASICs, the chip-selling strategy applies to the new microSPARC-II CPU and SuperSPARC ASICs also announced today (see separate press releases). Worldwide SPARC Marketing and Sales STB will be a full-fledged alternate source for SPARC CPUs and ASICs on a global basis. The new sales strategy will be implemented by a worldwide team of marketing and sales staff, assembled over the last two years by STB, with extensive experience in CPU and components sales. Leveraging its technological leadership in SPARC and its dedicated SPARC sales force, STB will work to broaden the open use of SPARC among a variety of new customers. Targets include all areas of computing products, from laptops to supercomputers; telecommunications devices, ranging from phone switches to intelligent ATM hubs; and control applications in areas such as factory automation and instrumentation. "This announcement represents a significant step in the evolution of STB as a full-fledged technology supplier and component distributor," Silvestri said. "What makes STB's role unique is the breadth of technology we offer to customers -- from development to distribution, we're having an impact." STB Partners Support Complementary Effort Silvestri pointed out that STB's new approach to SPARC distribution complements Sun's long-standing leveraged business model. Sun's open, leveraged strategy calls for a wide array of partners to contribute various sources of technology, design and manufacturing strengths to final products based on the SPARC architecture. That model will continue to be employed, with both STB and its partners offering multiple sources for the same components. An STB partner such as TI will continue to manufacture and sell microSPARC, SuperSPARC and SuperSPARC+ CPUs. In the area of ASICs, companies like NCR will continue to sell microSPARC family and SBus-based system support chips such as the NCR89C100 and NCR89C105. STB partners voiced support for the new sales strategy as a complementary, dual-channel approach that will benefit both SPARC customers and vendors. "We have been making joint customer calls with Sun for years and view STB's announcement as a natural step in Sun's unparalleled commitment to the availability of Open Systems Technology," said Rich Templeton, vice president, semiconductor group for Texas Instruments. "As the manufacturer of leading SPARC CPUs such as SuperSPARC and microSPARC, we are excited about the opportunities STB's sales force will bring to the SPARC architecture." Customers See Advantages to One-Stop Resource "The SPARC community will draw significant benefits from the role that STB is offering to play," said Martin Buchanan, general manager of Cray Research Superservers, Inc., Cray Research's subsidiary that designs and manufactures high-end SPARC-based server systems (Superservers). "STB's one-stop-shopping goal for SPARC technologies will complement the existing distribution channels of its partners and the existence of this additional channel is bound to be beneficial to SPARC customers throughout the world." The Leading RISC Architecture According to market research organization International Data Corp., systems based on the SPARC architecture represent 51.9 percent of 1992 worldwide RISC workstation/workstation server shipments. Products based on SPARC technology are available from more than 34 system vendors and seven microprocessor/chipset vendors. Over one million SPARC microprocessors have been shipped, making SPARC the most widely accepted architecture for RISC systems. SPARC Technology Business is the microprocessor organization within Sun Microsystems Computer Corp. (SMCC), the computer division of Sun Microsystems, Inc. STB was formed in April 1993 to develop, license and distribute SPARC technologies and products worldwide. Currently, STB has more than 400 employees working in microprocessor development, engineering, marketing and worldwide sales and support. Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC), the world's leading supplier of open client-server computing solutions, is an operating company of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun is the exclusive computer supplier to World Cup Soccer 1994. SMCC has its headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. ### Sun, the Sun Logo, Sun Microsystems, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation and the Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPARC trademarks, including the SCD Compliant Logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. SPARCstation, SPARCengine, UltraSPARC and microSPARC are licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. SuperSPARC is used under license to Texas Instruments, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based on an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. All other products or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. ********************************************************************** For information about SunFlash send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. 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