bochs is open source 386 + PC hardware emulater in C++ it would be possible to compile it for some softcore in ASIC it is possible to use some hardcore MCU (like in V2Pro) or full soft core, but sure it would be one softcore emulating another so speed would drop, OTOH it may make sense to develop a specialized core (not x86) that can emulate x86 relativly fast somewhat similar approuch as MemoryLogix or Transmeta x86 Core options: 1) cycle accurate clone (real headache) 2) classical microcode engine (boring) 3) microcode engine that can reload on the fly - you could achieve even full pentium 6 support because new microcodes are loadable (well speed penalty) 4) custom VLIW machine emulating x86 5) some C programmable RISC emulating x86 - this is free option. but I looked at bochs, trying to compile them for fpga core, I would rather write an emulator in pure assembler, if I have time I could try to compile bochs with GCC-MB or GCC-PPC but I guess it will be a disaster :( 6) x86 Kernel-1 approuch - a x86 core that has minimal functionality to be an x86 emulator, it has some instructions implemented, all non implemented will fall through below highest 386 kenrel ring, Kernel(-1) /is now my definition/, in Kernel(-1) mode all the instruction the core does not support are emulated. This is faster than emulating with non x86 based machine. Again this approuch also allows full pentium support (speed penalty applies). And it allows the configurable core, for either speed or size. In all configurations Pentium class instruction could be supported. *** clarification, you can not get 386 and no v8086, virtual 8086 mode is built in, supporting it makes the 386 core much larger (that is what legacy means) and another clarification Easypath is not FPGA ie it is mask version of FPGA, well ok you could say same thing. I think xilinx calls it "EASY PATH" to ASIC but you can get ASICs in IBM blue (0.7micron copper) that include Xilinx FPGA fabric as macrocells, so the ASIC/FPGA boundaries are floating a bit. antti ----- Original Message ----- From: Rudolf "Usselmann (OpenCores)" rudi at o... > To: cores at o... Date: 28 Jul 2003 22:56:36 +0700 Subject: Re: [oc] x86 IP Core

Dear All,

A good news for you.

iWave systems has announced X86 IP core. The source code and net
list
is available.
The business model is flexible.Have a try.
Regards,
Priya