Kutaragi Ken: "Relation Between Cell & PS3"

[ChryZ]

-Relation between Cell computing and PlayStation 3

This time, there are some things it has been [ things ] visible about PlayStation 3 through the interview to Mr. Kutaragi Ken (the Sony vice president / the Sony Computer Entertainment president and CEO).

First, it is important that Cell computing has overlapped with PlayStation 3 mostly. Probably, I think that it is right to define it as "the Cell computing environment (or Cell processor loading apparatus of a simple substance) of the existing "profile" where software/data can be performed" as for PS3. When Cell computing is called something, it is "the new computing paradigm which performs a real-time operation in a peer to peer network." And Cell computing is realized in "the network of Cell processor (the peripheral LSI) loading apparatus."

Although it may be unclear in giving a definition like this, the talk is easy, if it stands on an end user side simply and sees. first, if you buy the game machine which PS3 and the name attached (when simple substance Hurd has and it is the bottoms), the title for PS3 can be played However, if you buy the home server which carried the Cell processor and the peripheral LSI even if there is no PS3, probably the same software title will be able to perform.

But even if it is the same Cell architecture, the performance and function of a Cell processor which each apparatus carries differ from each other (considered). Therefore, in the Cell loading TV, a performance may be insufficient to execution of PS3 contents, for example. However, if two or more Cell machines are connected to domestic [ LAN ] even in that case, software may be able to be made to run by using a mutual CPU power. It is because Cell computing which distributes processing of software on real time will become possible if Cell apparatus is connected.

Furthermore, the computing power of other Cell(s) connected to the network may also be used, the extended version may turn PS3, and Cell loading apparatus including PS3 may be able to come to enjoy contents and service in the future.

- It is a game machine named PS3 which may not be logically.

In this way, if it thinks, I will carry out [ mind of being only one aspect of affairs of equal Cell computing ] the concept of PS3. It is considered to be the meaning of the word of "(PS3 )melting into a supercomputer in a home server or TV". [ of Mr. Kutaragi Ken ] That is, it turns "PS3 and contents and service" can be treated now in Cell computing environments, such as a Cell home server, Cell TV, and a Cell supercomputer.

First of all, the concept itself called the contents turned PS3 is doubtful. Probably, if it becomes the last form, there are only contents for Cell computings and service, and it will become the talk that a game machine, a home server, etc. can use it from a Cell loading machine.

Therefore, even if the "box" where PS3 and the name were given is put on the market, it will not be equal PS3. It says "Although the hardness (concept of PS1 or PS2) of PS [ present PS1 (PlayStation) or present PS2 (PlayStation 2) ] itself corresponds 100%, they become less so next (PS3)" (Mr. Kutaragi Ken).

For example, by Cell computing by the Cell network, with simple substance PS3 box, if impossible contents and impossible service can also be offered, the concept of "PS3" will have the power beyond PS3 box. Probably, it will be better to have not passed PS3 box in one corner of an iceberg called Cell computing, but to consider just Cell computing to be PS3. Although it wrote before that it became "The Network is PlayStation (a network is just PlayStation)" in this column, if a new term is used, it will become "Cell-Computing is PlayStation 3 (Cell computing is just PlayStation)."

Considering such a thing, there is not necessarily no necessity that S C E takes out with three generations of PS the box which PS3 and the name attached unlike the time of PS/PS2. Mr. Kutaragi Ken also actually says, "It is good even if there is nothing logically." For example, it may be possible for PS3 to become LOGO simply and to stick the LOGO on the Cell loading machine. However, though it says so, Mr. Kutaragi Ken also suggests a possibility that S C E will take out the "PS3" box.

"A metaphor is needed for a certain circulation target". [ "there are a nominal called PS3 and a platform", "the single article game machine as a metaphor being also needed", and ]

that is, -- PS -- three -- a generation -- [untranslated phrase] -- a game -- a special-purpose machine -- theory -- a top -- you may not be -- although -- a user -- circulation -- having thought -- a case -- [untranslated phrase] -- PS -- three -- [untranslated phrase] -- saying -- a game machine -- having taken out (as an intelligible metaphor) -- the direction -- being good -- " -- [untranslated phrase] -- " -- [untranslated phrase] -- saying -- a reason -- it is . Therefore, in three generations of PS, it is surmised that a simple substance game machine still exists. That is, it is not becoming the talk that a Cell home server appears suddenly, then a game is also made.

- Spec. of PS3 fixed for the time being

Moreover, it is not necessary to fix like before hard spec. (= soft resource which can be used) with PS3 box. If a Cell computing design is realized truly, the contents on it and service will be because it is released from restrictions of machine power by a certain grade. If the computing power exceeding the performance of a simple substance machine can finally be used, the necessity of a theory top of uniting software with the fixed machine spec. will also be lost. Moreover, it does not become useless even if it raises the performance of a simple substance machine rapidly conversely (since it is used by Cell computing).

However, Mr. Kutaragi Ken "although you may not be logically in fact, it will become the talk that it is as increasing a rendering pipe [untranslated phrase] [, and ]. [ raising a CPU power for it in 8s [untranslated phrase] and one month once ] that it is a certain logic format and will determine a necessary minimum standard fundamentally since it is not desirable", and "-- a main profile -- a [untranslated phrase] thing may be needed -- it is called "

That is, computing power and a function fixed as PS3 are defined. In the meaning, PS3 box does not change with the conventional game machine. It is thought that the regular format [ say / "it is in the rendering pipe of O book at CPU of OGHz" ] continues.

This is actual correspondence. It is because a phase will shift though PS3 box of a simple substance will go into the home and other Cell machines permeate a home for the time being. Depending on a home, Cell will surely call it only PS3 box in many cases. If it becomes Cell computing via the Internet, it will become a future event further.

that that is right, then PS3 box -- the first stage -- a simple substance -- it divides and comes out and the game machine necessity of deciding spec. comes out Moreover, also at the lowest, the spec. of the circumference of graphics needs to fix the processings (rendering etc.) which are impossible unless it is also a local machine in the future in order to remain. That is, the minimum machine spec. which can perform the software of three generations of PS alone is decided.

- Cell and a Cell peripheral LSI

Incidentally, it is expected that the graphics chip of PS3 box is developed in S C E. Since there is no tie-up announcement with the other company at present, the words which suggest it also in [ of this conversation but ] it being clear that it is proprietary are coming out.

for example, also into "it is not only Cell, and although there is also a peripheral LSI of Cell, I think that development of a device others -- will be done also using the Cell peripheral LSI group", and "next generation game machine, if it says into the Sony group also into TV also into a home server, Cell will enter Mr. Kutaragi Ken says that and media engine will also enter."

The CPU related patent for which S C E has applied also has description of the graphics unit "Visualizer (VS)" adapting the Cell (CPU considered) architecture. This is pixel engine and the thing which added image cache (video memory) at the processor core "Processor Element (PE)" of the usual Cell. In the case of this architecture, it seems to also make programmable processing with a rendering pipe into the method of faking by the sub processor "Attached Processing Unit" (APU) of Cell.

It does not know yet whether the graphics chip included in PS3 box becomes such the architecture. However, it is clear that S C E is developing not only Cell but LSI arranged on the outskirts, and it is going to develop them to other apparatus by the set. And PS3 world will consist of Cell computings by these Cell(s) processor loading machine.

(September 8, 2003)

original japanese article / translation by excite.co.jp

 

[Qroach]

um, do you need to make sperate threads for both?

 

[Vince]

Interesting article. Talks of their Cell based content distibution system between devices:

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph...&s1=20020166054&OS=20020166054&RS=20020166054

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph...&s1=20020035688&OS=20020035688&RS=20020035688

 

[wazoo]

um, do you need to make sperate threads for both?

one for the cell in the fridge, one for the cell in the TV, etc

 

[ChryZ]

um, do you need to make sperate threads for both?

Sure ... for distributed reading, hehe get used to it

 

[Vince]

Sure ... for distributed reading, hehe get used to it

HA! This was too slick to pass up and not give props to.

 

[Panajev2001a]

I had enough EE/ECE/CS humor for one day at school

Still, it was funny

 

[cthellis42]

um, do you need to make sperate threads for both?

Sure ... for distributed reading, hehe get used to it

<laughs> Excellent! Though the fact that this was the funniest thing I've come across all day should be a bit depressing...

 

[jvd]

From now on keep it in one post. Not 2 or more.

 

[phed]

So, this is how they want to create upgradable Playstations? And it seems they have a problem labeling it PS3 since it will also be the PS4 and so on?

 

[cthellis42]

Well, ever since the CELL concept has been getting news, one would figure that--if it works the way they want it to and they adopt it all over--they'll be running with it a long time. Process upgrades and any other refinement they can toss on top will keep bringing costs down and size down and power up, so I would assume the PS4 would follow in the same architecture--just with progressively more units.

The way I would see it changing is if the nature of some process technology changes and would make CELL unworkable--and no, I don't see what would make that so right now, shy of departing from binary structures, which I don't see happening for a WHILE yet. Even if diamond semiconductors start picking up between the PS3 and PS4, I don't see why it wouldn't get melded into the architecture.

The other exceptions are from two extremes. Either CELL isn't realized, or the hit upon an even BETTER concept in short order. And neither of those are things I'd put stock in. CELL may take a while to be fully realized, or may not work to best expectations, but I can't imagine it failing so utterly as to be abandoned; and considering the effort they'll be putting INTO CELL and bringing it to all their hardware platfors, I don't think they'll be latching onto such an amazingly better idea as to change their mind by PS4-time either. Hehe...

 

[Natoi]

Maybe what we'll see will be a little like this:

Sony sells a CELL powered "PS3" box. That PS3 box is connected to a network (internet), it contacts a Sony server to tell it that it is online and available (for processing power when not using all of it on it's own) and Sony's server will keep track of them all and the game makers will get estimates (or hard data) about how many CELL powered devices there are in the market and connected to the internet and how much their communal processing power is, game developers can then aim for that, so with each PS3 sold and connected to the internet the processing power of the PS3 will increase...

Seems like a good marketing scheme too, "Buy PS3 and increase it's power" ... wth ... Also this would really guarantee that the (image) quality of titles improves during time But it also seems like a horrible nightmare for coders. Do you really wanna code for a device which has increasing power all the time, or maybe not, or it may fluctuate heavily, if say some part of the world suffers a power outage...

The whole distributed computing strategy in a console seems so far fetched to me, hasn't the strength of consoles always been that they have a specific hardware, which can then be utilized to the fullest extent by developers?