From: yimmanuel3@f4ac60d763911c3fa518755176e4b9ed455c75d8 Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2020 05:45:48 +0000 (+0000) Subject: (no commit message) X-Git-Tag: convert-csv-opcode-to-binary~3558 X-Git-Url: https://git.libre-soc.org/?a=commitdiff_plain;h=add43559fe78cce651a00443241a900460cea1d0;p=libreriscv.git --- diff --git a/why_a_libresoc.mdwn b/why_a_libresoc.mdwn index b76181af5..73c789ef8 100644 --- a/why_a_libresoc.mdwn +++ b/why_a_libresoc.mdwn @@ -1,45 +1,19 @@ -This page really needs more/better content! +## Why a Libre SOC? -# Who we are and why a LibreSOC +Its quite hard to guarantee that a performant processors (think pipelined, out-of-order) are functionally perfectly correct. In fact, it often turns out that they [aren’t](https://meltdownattack.com). -Short paragraph on how a libreSOC makes sense from a business perspective... +There are entire [dissertations](http://www.kroening.com/diss/diss-kroe.pdf) dedicated to the subject matter of merely functionally verifying a pipeline (this doesn’t even consider out of order execution). -we are develiping a secure trustworthy chip to give mass volume appliance manufacturers an alternative to expensive unauditable chips. +Given the fact that performant bug-free processors no longer exist, how can you trust your processor? The next best thing is to have access to a processor’s design files. Not only have access to them, you must have the freedom to study and improve them. -we are doing this with inexpensive and open toolsets, to ensure sustainability and full transparency. +Such a processor is referred to as a Libre processor. However, processors themselves are only a part of the picture. Nowadays, most contemporary computing tasks involve artificial intelligence, media consumption, wireless connectivity, etc... Thus, we must deliver an entire LibreSOC. -see [[3d_gpu/mission_statement]] +## Benefits: Privacy, Safety-Critical, Peace of Mind... +Our LibreSOC will not have backdoors that plague modern [processors](https://www.csoonline.com/article/3220476/researchers-say-now-you-too-can-disable-intel-me-backdoor-thanks-to-the-nsa.html). -see [[3d_gpu/business_objectives]] +There is a very real need for reliable safety critical processors (think airplane, smart car, nuclear power plant, pacemaker...). +LibreSOC posits that it is impossible to trust a processor in a safety critical environment without both access +to that processor's source and a cycle accurate HDL simulator that guarantees developers their code behaves as they +expect. An ISA level simulator is no longer satisfactory. -# Our Gameplan - -## Customer Discovery - -Who are our competitors(Intel, ARM, AMD?) - -Who might be on our side?(Samsung, IBM) - -What is our market size - -Why are they going to buy this and why are customers not satisfied with what already exists on the market - - - secure processors - safety critical applications like medical applications - - DARPA doesn’t have to order parts in bulk for big contracts for fear of obsolescence. DARPA can change designs more frequently… - - why is processor trust so important(SPECTRE MELTDOWN), JP Morgan recently replaced all their intel processors because of this - -## Customer Validation - -Give it to potential customer (who might be some direct customers? OnePlus Chinese Phone Manufacturers??) - -Customer likes it. - -Customer gives letter of intent that they will purchase this product. - -## Customer Creation - -First customer leads to more customers. - -#Company Building - -Lots of customers = start focusing on building the company. +Refer to this [IEEE article](https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4519604) by Cyberphysical System expert Ed-Lee for more details.