Game console designers balance a multitude of requirements in their efforts to create a fully featured, reliable and low cost system. However, the console may not be a commercial success unless it offers high definition graphics, internet connectivity, motion sensing controllers and IP based streaming video content – all for an affordable price. And, to keep costs low, a platform based approach is common.
A typical game console platform includes the cpu, graphics processor, storage and memory, communications, I/O and user interface. At its heart are typically a few large asics or assps. For example, iSuppli claims the Sony PlayStation 3 is based on a seven core Cell based cpu (asic), an Nvidia graphics chip set (assp), XDR memory and a flexIO processor interface.
With fpgas replacing asics in other applications, perhaps now is the time to consider one in the design of next generation game consoles.
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