The new OpenCores System-On-Chip, developed and manufactured by Flextronics Semiconductor, runs Linux, uClinux, or eCos. The SoC is exclusively built with freely licensed OpenCores IP cores. The chip includes the OpenRISC OR1200 32-bit processor, a Memory Controller for SDRAM/FLASH/SRAM, a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MAC, 32-bit, 33/66MHz PCI support, and a 16550 UART.

Lampret said, "Are open source soft cores starting to have impact on the semiconductor industry? Yes, slowly but irreversibly. What started in 1983 with the GNU project is now starting in open source hardware with OpenCores, 20 years later."

I can confirm that HW designers are paying attention to this movement.
- mark 12-13-2003 8:55 am