Newsgroups: comp.realtime
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!linus!philabs!nbc1!scott
From: scott@nbc1.ge.com (Scott Barman)
Subject: What is the future of realtime and RISC?
Message-ID: <1991May15.210430.1134@nbc1.ge.com>
Reply-To: scott@nbc1.GE.COM (Scott Barman)
Organization: National Broadcasting Company, Inc., New York
Date: Wed, 15 May 91 21:04:30 GMT

I have been looking into realtime for automation projects here and
learning a lot about the industry and what realtime really is.  But like
everything else, once the box is open the questions follow.  Before I
can even think about recomemending a system to use here I need to
consider the realtime world and RISC processors.

All the realtime software vendors I've spoken with tell me that the
Motorola 680x0 architecture is still the dominant one used in the
realtime world.  But some admit to seeing an increase in requirements
for RISC processors.  The AMD 29K and Intel i860 and i960 seem to be
making some inroads, but most say 85% of their business is Motorola
CISC-based.  There is some promise of SPARC and the 88K is not getting a
lot of play.

So I want to open up the discussion for net.land:
+ What is the future of realtime and RISC?
+ With the rise of RISC over the last few years why hasn't it taken a
hold in the realtime world?
+ Is there going to be a market for SPARC with all the Suns out there to
do cross-development work on eventhough there are really only two
manufacturers making boards with SPARC processors (Force and
Ironics)?
+ I wish I knew more about the new Intel chips.  I've heard some good
and bad things about them.   Are they worth a look for a system?
+ What is it about the Motorola 88K that realtime software vendors seem
to almost treat it as something insignificant?
+ The 29K has almost a religious following among its users.  Why?  It
seems that AMD has done a good job in positioning this processor (almost
like Sun and SPARC), is that significant?
+ And what about the future of the 68K?  How long can it keep its
domination in the realtime world?  I see RISC chips turning up in some
interesting areas (the new SGI machines, for example), is this going to
make in-roads into this very established market?

OK, I've presented only a part of the questions I have.  Let's open up
the discussion and see what happens!

Thanks!
-- 
scott barman			| "Damn straight it worked!"
scott@nbc1.ge.com		|      -- Mets manager Bud Harrelson commenting
(This does not represent any	|         on the Opening Day steal of home.
opinions of NBC or affiliates)	| Let's Go Mets!!                 (Darryl who?)
