> IMO, a big part of the future lies in FPGA type technology.  Just look
> at the PIC line-up, scores of different chips each available in assorted
> form factors.  It's a manufacturing/supply chain nightmare.  I honestly
> believe that in time, instead of buying a PIC/Atmel/805x/HC-11/etc.
> chip, we will purchase an IP rights license on a per unit basis.  With
> your license your FPGA development environment will "permit" you to
> place the functionality into a single FPGA or 1,000,000 units if so
> allowed.  DRM (Digital Rights Management) is the key to making it all
> work, and I think that DRM will definitely be a big part of the modern
> embedded engineer's future, but I digress.
>
> What do you all think?  Can "soft" cpu technology completely replace
> discrete micro's?

        Somehow I don't think so, and the reason is cost: an FPGA will ALWAYS
require more "die area" to perform the functions of dedicated logic,
therefore an FPGA acting as an MCU will always be bigger then that MCU in
dedicated form. More die space = higher cost. In a high volume product like
MCUs this is a VERY important figure.

        Now, some might argue that with an FPGA you only put in what you actually
need, and this is true, but the difference in size is so large this doesn't
really benefit anyone. Oh, and of course, on top of the cost of the hardware
you need to buy the IP: added cost. Programmable logic has been spouted as a
"savior" for decades now, and they've come no closer to fruition then they
ever have been. The simple fact is it's very rare for an application to
require the flexibility of an FPGA, most functions are set. It's like the
music biz, a CD is MUCH cheaper to produce than a CDR. TTYL

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