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The PowerUP accelerators boards are a very complex dual processor
design, in which two different processors - namely the PowerPC processor
and the 68k CPU - work in parallel. As this is a true multiprocessing
solution, both processors share the complete address space of the Amiga
computer system. By use of a comprehensive software library provided with
the board, the PowerPC processor is seamlessly integrated into the Amiga's
multitasking environment, so that application software for the PowerUP
accelerators boards can consist of different tasks running on both of the
CPUs.
The goal of this solution has been to offer a possibility to upgrade
existing Amiga systems with a new and several times more powerful CPU, while
maintaining full compatibility to all the existing software - including
the Operation System - and the hardware that is installed in the system.
To reach this goal this demanding dual-processor solution has been developed,
where the customer can even use the 68k processor which mostly will be present
on an existing CPU card. With this solution the performance of the new and
powerful PowerPC processor can be utilized by software applications which
are ported to the PowerPC in part or whole, without the necessity of a complete
system change which would include the purchase of all existing components
and software applications for the new system.
Software applications which are enhanced to utilize the new PowerPC processor
will be able to provide a stunning performance with significant speed increases
compared to even the fastest accelerator boards so far available for the
Amiga. Because of the way the PowerPC is integrated into the Amiga multitasking
environment by use of a comprehensive library, software developers can optimize
their programs step by step or in part for the PowerPC - a solution which
is highly appreciated by many software developers worldwide who are actually
working on PowerUP enhanced software products. In the long run it is
of course also possible to port applications completely to the PowerPC,
or to realize operation system solutions on the PowerPC side.
With this functionality the PowerUP accelerators boards represents
more than just a powerful processor upgrade solution for the Amiga. They
can - and will - also be used as a development platform for future
generations of application and operation system software.
But the PowerUP product line will
also be, on the other hand, the state-of-the art processor upgrade solution
for all active Amiga users who expect a performance that is up-to-date for
todays and tomorrows demanding applications.
Comprehensive PPC library
The comprehensive PPC library which comes along with the PowerUP
accelerators boards offers substantial functionality to integrate the PowerPC
processor into the Amiga multitasking environment. With this method the
transparent and parallel operation of the two CPUs is made possible, and
the programming and use of software applications that utilizes the power
of both processors is very comfortable. To further support the development
of future-oriented and modular structured software a new message system
has been developed and integrated into the system with the PPC library.
Which kind of applications are the PowerUP accelerators boards
suited for?
Basically, the PowerUP accelerators boards can be used for all kind
of applications. Applications that will take most advantage are of course
those kind of applications which demand high computing performance - especially
the so-called multimedia applications, all kind of graphic or 3D programs,
sound editing, animation or stunning games as well. Many developers worldwide
are working on applications supporting PowerUP which belong into these
categories. But also for own programming purposes of hobbyists or e.g. for
scientifical applications the PowerUP accelerators boards are well
suited with it's high processing power.
Applications which are mainly operation system or user interface based
- such as user interface and control programs, tools and utilities, or also
e.g. word processors and similar types of applications - will initially
benefit from the faster performance of the 68k CPU because of the faster
memory. But even these kind of programs may be optimized for the PowerPC
to offer significantly increased performance for special functions, such
as e.g. data compression and decompression, font engines or postsript visualisation,
or the implemenation of multimedia functionality in such programs in general
- just to name a few possible applications.
Which software is available for the PowerUP accelerators?
To support the availability of powerful applications, phase 5 digital
products has supported Amiga developers worldwide with developer systems
and developer support. Some results of this development program are available
in form of software products which are ready for PowerUP at the time
the first PowerUP accelerators boards are shipping. Other important
developments can be expected in the very near future, as with the release
of the PowerUP accelerators boards additional developers have the product
available to start development or optimization of PowerUP software,
and as the developers who have been working with developer prototypes now
have release products available which reveal the full power and performance
of this new product generation. Software development is also supported by
the new relaeses of the PPC library with new functionalities that allow
a rapid development of PowerUP optimized software applications.
With the PowerUP product line, the PowerUP system software
development and the developer support program, however, phase 5 not only want
to offer and support products that actually increase the performance of
the Amiga and applications running on it, but also want to offer a path
to the future. Therefore, it will also support developments of alternative operation
systems such as e.g. MorphOS and Linux, which can run fully on the PowerPC side of the
PowerUP boards. With the demo software and development tools that come
along with the PowerUP boards (GNU C compiler with PowerUP support,
examples, tools etc.) the system is also well suited for all developers
who want to do some hobby programming or also real personal software development
on their own. phase 5 digital products hopes that they can support the use of the Amiga as a computer
for the creative power user with these steps.
On the CD-ROM supplied with the PowerUP accelerators boards you
will find also infos about and/or demo versions of software applications
which are available for PowerUP, or are being finalized, prepared or
in planning.
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