With unsurpassed RAS functions (Reliability, Availability and Serviceability) Fujitsu’s PRIMEPOWER servers have attained high market approval. Now the SPARC64 V processor used in PRIMEPOWER has evolved further, with the introduction of new technology and other innovative features. Increased attractiveness and new advantages reflect the strong enthusiasm and experience of the development engineers.

Taking server requirements into consideration, high efficiency is important but we also have to consider high reliability. So we tackled the processor development aiming at servers that were more efficient than other company’s products with reliability not found in their products either. We now believe that the world-beating ultra-advanced technology we have developed will make an important contribution to customers and all who use it.

We were grateful when in 2002 SPARC64 V was announced to favorable comment from all quarters. That our design teams could achieve such credibility, especially in the area of high reliability gave us great confidence. This was the starting point for this latest processor production: To study how to utilize the latest 90nm semiconductor process technology developed by Fujitsu’s electronic device group, to further improve processor performance, while maintaining the solid heritance of the existing SPARC64 V processors.

Yes it was. However, performance improvement doesn’t just come from simply increasing the frequency from 1.35GHz to 1.89GHz and shifting the semiconductor from the previous 130nm to 90nm technology. If the design is not matched to the characteristics of 90nm and the increased number of transistors that can be laid-out on the chip, performance improvement cannot be achieved.

Certainly it was a big challenge, but adopting the latest technology also became a big advantage. In the world of computer processor efficiency there is fierce competition. As other companies raise their competitive edge, so we must aim towards higher efficiency. Other companies are also advancing the use of 90nm technology. Therefore strengthening our competitive power, in the sense of adoption of latest technology, is terribly important.

We made block parts of the design logic and mounting technology etc, arranged each hierarchy, and adopted a design style that combined and recycled them. Of course, because characteristics can change as the process technology becomes minute, some parts could be recycled as is while with some parts tuning was necessary. However, by adopting such a design style, a processor with high accuracy and reliability can be developed in a short term compared with designing from scratch.

On the next page the performance and reliability of SPARC64 V is introduced.

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