AMD's Next-generation Hammer Family of Processors Passes Another Major Milestone.Business/Technology Editors SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2001 AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, www.amd.com) A major manufacturer of semiconductor devices including x86-compatible CPUs, embedded processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices and networking chips. and Virtutech Announce High-Performance Simulator To Help Further Enable 64-Bit Software Development for AMD's Next-Generation Processors AMD and Virtutech today announced the two companies are working together to further enable the development of software supporting AMD's next-generation Hammer family of processors. The two companies have jointly developed an innovative, high-performance tool, codenamed "VirtuHammer", that will allow software developers to write and test 64-bit programs in preparation for the planned commercial introduction of the next-generation AMD processors in the first half of 2002. Virtutech's Simics software enables a computer featuring the 32-bit AMD Athlon processor to simulate the operations of a 64-bit Hammer processor-based computer, allowing developers to use currently available technology to quickly and accurately test and debug To correct a problem in hardware or software. Debugging software means locating the errors in the source code (the program logic). Debugging hardware means finding errors in the circuit design (logical circuits) or in the physical interconnections of the circuits. their 64-bit software for AMD's next-generation processors. Hammer processors will be the first AMD processors capable of 64-bit operation, and are being designed to deliver leading-edge performance on both the 64-bit software used by high-end workstations and servers and the 32-bit software used by the majority of desktop computers. AMD has already begun delivering VirtuHammer simulators to targeted software partners, helping ensure they have the resources, time, and support required to develop 64-bit operating systems Operating systems can be categorized by technology, ownership, licensing, working state, usage, and by many other characteristics. In practice, many of these groupings may overlap. , tools and applications for the Hammer family of processors. "AMD values the roles companies like Virtutech play in helping bring the benefits of innovative new technologies like the x86-64 instruction set and Hammer family of processors to users. Virtutech's excellent simulation technology, coupled with the powerful AMD Athlon processor, create a high-performance tool that can help developers bring 64-bit software to market supporting AMD's Hammer processors," said Fred Weber Fred Weber can be:
"We're excited about adding support for the Hammer processor family to our Virtutech Simics simulation platform," said Peter S. Magnusson, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Virtutech. "AMD's x86-64 technology is a well-designed and smooth enhancement of the x86 legacy instruction set. We were able to create a prototype Hammer processor-based version of our existing x86 simulator in just a fraction of the time that adding a new 64-bit instruction set would have taken." About VirtuHammer The jointly validated version of Virtutech's Simics software enables standard AMD Athlon processor-based computers running either the Microsoft Windows See Windows. (operating system) Microsoft Windows - Microsoft's proprietary window system and user interface software released in 1985 to run on top of MS-DOS. Widely criticised for being too slow (hence "Windoze", "Microsloth Windows") on the machines available then. 2000 or Linux (Debian, Mandrake mandrake, plant of the family Solanaceae (nightshade family), the source of a narcotic much used during the Middle Ages as a pain-killer and perhaps the subject of more superstition than any other plant. , RedHat, or SuSE distributions) operating systems to operate as a "virtual" x86-64 technology-based computer, providing a fast simulation environment that operates approximately 100 times faster than the AMD SimNow! software for simulating execution of x86-64 instructions. The x86-64 version of Simics enables flexible simulation configurations that can simulate complete computers powered by AMD's next-generation Hammer processors, including multiprocessor and networked implementations. The Simics software also includes debugging features such as complex breakpoints, arbitrary watchpoints, scripting environment allowing the creation of test frameworks, and a machine description language and application programming interface (API) to add new devices or specialized functionality. These advanced features are essential tools for developers to test and evaluate 64-bit software. About AMD's x86-64 Technology AMD's straightforward approach to 64-bit computing builds upon the x86 instruction set, one of the industry's most proven and widely supported technologies. AMD x86-64 technology is designed to support applications that address large amounts of physical and virtual memory, such as high performance servers, database management systems, and CAD tools. The x86-64 technology seamlessly integrates into the current computing and support environment, and is designed to enable enterprises to deploy high performance 64-bit capable systems that also deliver leading-edge performance on the billions of dollars invested in the current base of 32-bit software. AMD enhances the current x86 instruction set by introducing two major features: a 64-bit extension called long mode, and register extensions. Long mode consists of two sub-modes: 64-bit mode, and compatibility mode A feature of a computer or operating system that allows it to run programs written for a different system. Programs often run slower in compatibility mode. . 64-bit mode supports new 64-bit code through the addition of eight general-purpose registers and widens them all along with the instruction pointer See program counter and instruction register. . It also adds eight 128-bit floating point registers. Compatibility mode supports existing 16-bit and 32-bit applications under a 64-bit operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. . In addition to long mode, the architecture also supports a pure x86 legacy mode, which preserves binary compatibility See binary compatible. with existing 16-bit and 32-bit applications and operating systems. For additional information on the x86-64 instruction set, visit http://www.x86-64.org. Visit AMD on the Web For more information, please visit AMD's virtual pressroom at http://www.amd.com/news/virtualpress/index.html. About AMD AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits Integrated circuits Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1. for the personal and networked computer and communications markets with manufacturing facilities in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , Europe, Japan, and Asia. AMD produces microprocessors, flash memory devices, and support circuitry for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, California Sunnyvale ([sʌniveil]) is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is one of the major cities that make up the Silicon Valley. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 131,760. , AMD had revenues of $2.9 billion in 1999. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : AMD). About Virtutech Virtutech is the world leader in efficient simulation of high performance computer systems. Virtutech develops tools that are used to design, implement, and test systems such as multiprocessor servers and telephone switches. Its flagship product A primary product of a company, which is typically why the company was founded and/or what made it well known. For example, MS-DOS, Windows and the Microsoft Office suite have been flagship products of Microsoft. CorelDRAW is a flagship product of Corel Corporation. is Virtutech Simics. Virtutech is a privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. , based in Stockholm, Sweden. Cautionary Statement This release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally preceded by words such as "plans," "expects," "believes," "anticipates" or "intends." Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this release involve risks and uncertainty that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Forward looking statements in this release include the risks that the VirtuHammer tool may not be successful in helping software developers write and test 64-bit programs supporting the "Hammer" family of processors, that developers may not support the x86-64 technology and design tools for the technology in a timely manner or at all, that AMD may not successfully implement the x86-64 technology in its products on a timely basis, that the x86-64 technology may not achieve customer and market acceptance, and that the "Hammer" family of processors may not be introduced on the anticipated schedule and may not be designed with the anticipated technologies. We urge investors to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in the Company's filings with the United States Securities Exchange Commission. Note to Editors: AMD, the AMD logo, AMD Athlon and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Virtutech, and Simics are trademarks or registered trademarks of Virtutech AB. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies. |
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