 - IBM's Star processor is a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor that is available in several series versions for IBM's AS/400 and RS/6000 systems. The three
processors in the Star Series are the Northstar, the Pulsar, and the
Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) processor.
The first in the Star Series, the Northstar processor, is
superscalar, which means it can execute multiple instructions per clock cycle,
and includes two 64 Kbps on-chip level-one (L1) caches. Its operating frequency
is 262 MHz, and it has a 162 mm2 die size. It uses 27 watts of power. The
Northstar processor is based on traditional complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication technology. It is
often called the A50 processor in AS/400 systems and the RS64-II processor in
RS/6000 systems.
The Pulsar is the second Star Series processor. It is based
on a combined copper and silicon fabrication technology, which affords more
operating speed using less power. Its operating frequency is 450 MHz, and it has
a 140 mm2 die size. It includes two 128 Kbps on-chip L1 caches and operates on 24 watts
of power. The Northstar processor was the basis for the Pulsar. The Pulsar
powers the RS/6000 S80 system. It is often called the RS64-III processor.
The final Star Series processor is the Silicon-on-Insulator-based processor
used in the AS/400 iSeries server. SOI-based processors are manufactured using
pure silicon and silicon oxide. The operating frequency is 550 MHz, and it has a 140
mm2 die size. It includes two 128 Kbps on-chip L1 caches and uses 22 watts of
power.
| LAST UPDATED: |
09 Nov 2001
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