Transmeta Crusoe

A revolutionary CPU for mobile

computing

Ashraful Alam
Outline
 What is Crusoe?
 Why Crusoe?
 Crusoe architechture
 128 bit VLIW
 Code morphing technology
 Integrated northbridge
 LongRun technology

 Conclusion
What is Crusoe?
 A low power consuming x86 processor
 Developed by Transmeta Corporation
 Devoted to fill gap in mobile CPU market
 Developed from scratch
 Hybrid hardware-software design
 Efficient computing
Why Crusoe
 Lighter is better
 Low power consumption
 Fan less systems
 High mobility without compromise
Targeted Market
 Wireless computing
 Silent PC
 Home theatre PC
 Portable pc
 Dense Server Cluster
Crusoe Product Line
All power requirement includes Northbridge power.
The SE versions of Crusoe are designed for Embedded systems

Model Clock speed L1 Cache L2 Cache Max TDP Max temp.

TM 5900 667-1000Mhz 128 KB 512 KB 6.5-9.5 W 100C Tj
TM59SE 667-933 MHz 128 KB 512 KB 6.8-9.0 W 100C Tj
TM 5700 667-800 Mhz 128 KB 256 KB 5-6.6 W 100C Tj
TM 57SE 667 Mhz 128 KB 256 KB 5.1W 100C Tj
TM 5800 667 – 1000 MHz 128 KB 512 KB < 6.5 W 100C Tj
TM 58SE 800/933 MHz 128 KB 512 KB 6.8-9.0 W 100C Tj

Table: Family of Crusoe processors

[source: http://www.transmeta.com/crusoe/specs.html]
Crusoe Architechture
 128 Bit Very Large Instruction Word Issue
 Hybrid computing aka Code morphing™
 Integrated Northbridge on die
 LongRun™ Technology
128 Bit VLIW Engine
 4 instruction issue
 Fewer transistors = less power
consumption
 Introducing code morphing™
 Large 512kb cache
128bit VLIW (cont.)

 Crusoe executes like a superscalar

processor
Source: http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/cpu/crusoe.ars/3
Code Morphing
 Software layer around the hardware
 x86 compatibility without complexity
 Reduced transistors
 Statistical optimization
 Downloadable hardware upgrade!
Code Morphing (cont.)

 Code morphing software creates a bridge between x86 software and

Crusoe
[Source: http://www.transmeta.com/crusoe/codemorphing.html]
Code Morphing (cont.)

 Blue represents hardware in silicon

 Yellow represents software layer
Source: http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/cpu/crusoe.ars/2
Code Morphing (cont.)
 2 parts of the code morphing software:
 Interpreter
 Interprets x86 code
 Filters infrequent code for interpretation only

 Gathers statistical data

 Translator
 Recompiles frequently used code for optimization
 Stores translated code into translation cache
Integrated Northbridge
 On die memory controller
 On die PCI bus controller
 Serial ROM controller
 Benefits
 Reduced power consumption
 Compact system design
LongRun™ Technology
 LongRun technology is tightly coupled with
code morphing software
 Performs two task:
 Powermanagement
 Thermal management
LongRun Power Management
 Dynamically adjust both core voltage and
clock speed
 Cubic power requirement reduction
 Power = (Capacitance * freq * voltage^2)/2
 Most conventional CPU can only adjust
frequency
* AMD’s “cool N quiet” technology adjusts both
voltage and clock frequency
Power Management (cont.)

 If Idle time is detected, processor may reduce

voltage/frequency to reduce power usage
Power Management (cont.)

Figure: Dynamic frequency scaling

Power management heuristic – goal is to eliminate CPU

sleep time as much possible
[source: LongRun Power management white paper]
Power Management (cont.)

Figure: Voltage scaling

Voltage and frequency scale can be done upto 200

time/sec

[source: LongRun Power management white paper]

Thermal Management
 Coupled with code morphing software to
throttle CPU
 Efficient computing in low temperature
 Dynamically reduces voltage/frequency
 Does not force CPU to sleep phase to reduce
heat
 Provides more performance in higher
temperature or same performance in lower
temperature.
Thermal Management (cont.)

 P3 and Crusoe running DVD movie

 Crusoe TM5400 requires no active cooling
Conclusion
 Revolutionary hybrid design
 Efficient use of instruction optimization
 Reduced power consumption
 Leads the path in efficient computing
 Great choice for mobile computing
 Great choice for systems where low power
processing is required
Sources
 The Technology Behind Crusoe™
Processors White Paper by Transmeta
Corporation
 Crusoe™ LongRun™ Power
Management White Paper by Transmeta
Corporation
 Crusoe Explored by John Stokes
http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/cpu/crusoe.ars/1