Assumptions: We assume that the specific domain targeted by the engineers is one of low-power processor design for handheld devices and laptop computers.
Reconfigurability: This is a good domain for reconfigurable processors and architectures because the primary requirement here is for low power consumption. The technical vision is that by selectively turning the differential functional units of the hardware into different modes (e.g., on, off, 50%, 25% etc.), power consumption can be traded off against desired performance.
Here are some important isseus that need to be considered by us, as Venture Capitalists.
Intel and Microsoft have recently developed a specification called Advanced Power Management (APM) [APM96]. This specification defines an interface between hardware-specific power management software, which resides in the BIOS on PCs, and a hardware-independent operating system power management driver. This driver can manage APM-aware applications, by notifying them of impending processor state changes, and it provides an API that allows applications to directly employ power management. In a multi-tasking operating system, the driver will also negotiate conflicting power management requests. This vertical approach to power management shows great promise for further reductions in energy consumption, and the engineers' proposal must be considered in light of this [Burd96].
Clearly, they need to take this development into account and come up with a strategy for it. Since this is BIOS-specific, it may not impact our processor design too much. However, in terms of APIs, we will gain a lot if we make our API similar to, or if possible, identical to APM.
Cooperation and industrial partnerships are essential in this application domain for reconfigurable processors. It is impossible to be profitable unless there are enough software applications running on this platform and the hooks provided by the processor are correctly and efficiently utilized, resulting in an overall reduction in energy consumption. All partnerships must move in a direction that tries to achieve this goal.