Re: Compiler for Z80/6510

[Marin Condic <condicma@bogon.pwfl.com>]

Mike Silva wrote:

> where Ada, it seems to me, has an excellent chance to be "rehabilitated" as
> the percentage of embedded systems that go 32-bit will just continue to
> climb.  IMHO, Ada on cheap 32-bit hardware is an embedded designer's dream
> come true -- it's just tooooo delicious!

Agreed and very true. Anyone who has ever tried to squeeze software into a tiny
address space can understand why 32 bit hardware is a very welcome gift to the
software designer.

I would point out that there still may be lots of reasons why the 16 bit
processors will continue to have a large segment of the market. Not all
applications need the power or space of a 32 bit architecture, so you are at
risk of overdesigning. (The proverbial Brick Outhouse) If there is any cost
differential at all, this becomes significant over a large production run. So
long as a 16 bit controller can be built for even a few cents less than a 32 bit
controller, there is an advantage to going this route. (True also of the 8 bit
world vs 16 bit, which is why they are still with us.)

You also have a lot of compatibility issues which may come into play. Just
because you can build a bigger, faster, better 32 bit computer doesn't mean it
will plug into the slot where you previously had a 16 bit machine. Do you
redesign the automobile, industrial robot, radar controller, etc., to use a 32
bit processor if the 16 bit machine can still do the job?

To go in your direction, how about this? Produce a PowerPC based circuit board
with a few A/D and/or F/D converters, some discrete lines, maybe a UART and some
other stuff that would make it a good controller and bundle that with an Ada
compiler, link/load/diagnostic tools, etc. all plugged into a PC for
development. Think that could be done for ~ $500? What do you imagine the
minimum production price of a PowerPC based SBC could be in some reasonable
volume?

MDC
--
Marin David Condic
Only two more days and this address is defunct! See my web
page if you want to contact me...:
Real Time & Embedded Systems, Propulsion Systems Analysis
United Technologies, Pratt & Whitney, Large Military Engines
M/S 731-95, P.O.B. 109600, West Palm Beach, FL, 33410-9600
***To reply, remove "bogon" from the domain name.***

Visit my web page at: http://www.mcondic.com/