PS3.5: Sony Patent Shows Plans to Increase PS3′s Power With External Processor

[bandit]

The PlayStation 3 was a massive investment for many gamers, especially for those that bought the console at launch. For Sony, the costs were even higher, with billions spent on development, and more spent on selling the console at a loss. So its no wonder the company wants to extend the PS3′s life-cycle, and thus make profit on the platform. Now, a Sony patent has hinted that they will release external processors to make the console even more powerful – without the need for a PS4.

The benefits of an upgrade to the PS3 are obvious – allowing for a more powerful machine, without having to pay so much for a new console. However, the “PS3 External Processor” has its drawbacks: it wouldn’t give consumers the same experience as a full new console, and would run the risk of both fragmenting and confusing the market.

The patent – from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo, JP – explains the reasoning behind the processing peripheral:

In recent years, there has been an insatiable desire for faster computer processing data throughputs because cutting-edge computer applications involve real-time, multimedia functionality. Graphics applications are among those that place the highest demands on a processing system because they require such vast numbers of data accesses, data computations, and data manipulations in relatively short periods of time to achieve desirable visual results. These applications require extremely fast processing speeds, such as many thousands of megabits of data per second. While some processing systems employ a single processor to achieve fast processing speeds, others are implemented utilizing multi-processor architectures. In multi-processor systems, a plurality of sub-processors can operate in parallel (or at least in concert) to achieve desired processing results.

Coming to the conclusion that:

Accordingly, there are needs in the art for new methods and apparatus for interconnecting one or more multiprocessor systems with one or more external devices to achieve higher processing capabilities.

The patent is shown in a picture:

The dotted area 500, is the external processor, with the patent explaining that the memory it shares (514) with the internal processor could be DRAM, MRAM or SRAM, among others:

PE 500 is closely associated with a shared (main) memory 514 through a high bandwidth memory connection 516. Although the memory 514 preferably is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the memory 514 could be implemented using other means, e.g., as a static random access memory (SRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), an optical memory, a holographic memory, etc.

The patent expressly states that several external processors may be used:

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, two processor elements may be cascaded by each employing its respective BIC in a coherent symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) interface (or BIF) configuration. The coherent SMP interface (BIF) of each processing element is coupled to one another to set up a coherent interface there between.

The patent was filed this August and only recently published, showing that any plans are most likely in the early stages.

Last year, EA’s Chief Creative Officer, Rich Hilleman, told VentureBeat how he “expected we’ll see a PlayStation 3.5 before we see a PlayStation 4 and an Xbox 560 before we see an Xbox 720,” ”

Would you be interested in purchasing an “External Processor”?

Source: PlayStation LifeStyle

[royvedas]

This was why I hated gaming on pc. Constant upgrades. Now I just might migrate back to pc.

[bandit]

This was why I hated gaming on pc. Constant upgrades. Now I just might migrate back to pc.

Its not even a constant upgrade. I'd take this over spending for an entirely new console that would be $400+

[Wolfdawg]

what? if you buy the right $#@! you won't need to get upgrades
unless you've been gaming PC for the past 10 years.....

ill save money instead of buying this and it will go toward a gaming PC

[LyonHrt]

This reminds me of the 3do days when they were going to release the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic_M2]M2[/url, which bascially added more power to the 3do, but then they scrapped that and were going to release an all in one console but then it was just scrapped altogether.

I can't see this really working, its a bit of a confusing concept, and i doubt will sell well.

[bandit]

Its all about price. If its overpriced, no one is going to buy it. Hell, I was even hesitant on buying PS Move controllers. I didnt want to spend $160 on two Move and two Nav controllers.

[sehs33]

I kept having an infinite loop of a single flash back while reading this:
Sonic CD starting theme...

Hoping Sony will not end same way as Sega did...

[deagle67]

how would you connect that thing to the ps3? the fastest interface is usb 2.0 which is slow as hell compared to internal memory..