From: Robert J. Bradbury (bradbury@aeiveos.com)
Date: Tue Jul 23 2002 - 19:42:34 MDT
On Tue, 23 Jul 2002, Edward wrote:
> In addition to Joao Pedro de Magalhaes' question about books or websites
> that measure the scientific output of the world. I have a question, as well,
> since my ambition is to contribute somehow to scientific growth. Are there
> any books or websites with printed matter that will help me study
> micro-processor architecture?
I suppose the classics would be:
Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface
D. A. Patterson, J. L. Hennessy
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1558604286/qid=1027474389
and
Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach
J. L. Hennessy & D. A. Patterson
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1558605967/qid=1027474389
Many years ago I took a short course in which Hennessy was one
of the speakers. He is in the ballpark with Eric and Ralph.
> As an additional note: How well suited to
> robotics are modern micro-computers?
Probably not very. You need a lot of current to deal with most
real world motors. You will not get that out of existing
processor designs (so you need multi-chip/transistor solutions).
Josh Hall had some interesting first hand stories at the last
Foresight SA meeting about the problems of designing systems
using current technology that would operate Battlebots without
producing slag in the process.
My guess would be that you want to use something like the Transmeta
driving something the size of slightly scaled up insect. Then you
might be able to achieve something. Ultimately you still have a
problem with existing battery technology providing a really poor
power to weight ratio.
Robert
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