4 Oct
2004
4 Oct
'04
7:33 a.m.
>>
>> This seems like a pretty decent idea, actually. With
>> modern pc hardware you could put it on the pci bus, but a
>> bootable option rom in it, and probably have that take over
>> the whole machine from there...
>>
Most PC implementations to not really lend themselve to full mastering of
the system from a PCI slot. MicroChannel machines WERE designed for this
purpose, but never really caught on.
That is why I was thinking about a FPGA type arrangement that (with some
supporting cirtuitry) could actually plug into the procesor chip. To keep
the internal logic a bit simplier the clock could be divided down a few
stages.
Although I have not worked directly in that area of hardware design for
about 12 years now, I still have some contacts who have even designed custom
digital (and analog) monolithics for a variety of functions. Im willing to
wager that the cost would not be totally outragous just by splitting it
across a few dozen systems.