Pools of memory, waves of dispute: engineers are buzzing over a computer's design

Article Abstract:

Henry Burkhardt's company, Kendall Square Research Corp, has developed an innovative supercomputer design. Some experts say the new design will greatly simplify the task of adapting existing software and systems to supercomputing speeds and capabilities. Others argue that the design is nonsense and will not work. Burkhardt himself says he plans to begin installing his KSR1 machines in customers' businesses by the middle of 1992. The Kendall Square design reportedly creates a cache of available memory and then allocates memory among processors. The result is said to be a simplification that allows programmers to program as though they were working with a single-processor system. Controversy intensified in Jan 1991, when an article by George Gilder appeared in Upside, a Silicon Valley magazine. Gilder praises Burkhardt's design and attacks the massively parallel design being used by Kendall Square's competitor, Thinking Machines Corp.

Electronic computers, Management, Computer industry, Product information, Design and construction, Supercomputers, Authorship, Supercomputer, Thinking Machines Corp., Massive Parallelism, Thinking Machines CM-5 (Supercomputer), Burkhardt, Henry, Gilder, George, Kendall Square Research Corp.a, Kendall Square Research KSR1 (Mainframe computer)

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A wonder chip's new wonders

Article Abstract:

Superscalar execution semiconductor chips are expected to spearhead a new generation of microprocessors so powerful they will give microcomputers the capabilities of specialized scientific and engineering computers. The new chip design will allow computers to take advantage of 'parallel processing.' This is the ability to execute more than one instruction in a single tick of the quartz clock that governs a chip's speed. The first superscalar chips available reach speeds of 60 million instructions per second (MIPS). The chips are essential to the success of reduced instruction set computers (RISC) as well. The main problem computer designers will face with superscalar chips is 'data dependency,' which limits simultaneous multiple instructions. The new chips will also require more intelligent compilers. Researchers predict it will be several years before superscalar chips reach the microcomputer market.

Semiconductor chips, Integrated circuits, Technological forecasting, Microprocessors, Future of Computing

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Intel cleared of charges by the F.T.C.; no evidence is found of unfair competition

Article Abstract:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notifies Intel Corp on Jul 14 that it has found no evidence to indicate that the dominant microprocessor maker engaged in unfair competition. Under investigation since 1991, Intel has spent millions of dollars to review over two million documents and supply some 250,000 of them to the FTC in efforts to defend itself. Industry analysts expect the FTC decision to have little impact on Intel investors, who are more concerned with such issues as profits, sales and competitiveness. Intel rivals Cyrix Corp and Advanced Micro Devices continue to pursue civil antitrust actions against the company, however. Cyrix claims that Intel threatened to cut distributors' supplies of its 80386 and 80486 microprocessors if they also handled Cyrix's chips. An Intel lawyer counters that the company began training its salespeople to comply with antitrust laws in 1987.

Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Semiconductor industry, Intel Corp., INTC, Investigations, United States. Federal Trade Commission, Restraint of trade, Investigation

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