Guest Editor's Introduction

Looking into the future

with TRON

Ken Sakamura
University of Tokyo

W e have seen significant advances in com-

puter hardware technology, most notably in
~v VLSI technology. However, we cannot
really say that the computer systems of today take
this technical advancement to its full potential.
Why is this so? A major reason is that the same
computer system architecture, which was designed
rather prematurely, has been retained. We design new
systems, as a result, in the name of "backward
compatibility. "
That the recent advances in technology have not
been used to the fullest extent is also seen in other in-
dustrial fields. However, the computer industry has
probably experienced the most radical changes in its
hardware technology. Software compatibility requires
that hardware components remain rather stable. So
the way hardware components are used in real sys- Two views of the micro-BTRON (business-oriented)
tems and the way these components can be used to prototype demonstrate the newly designed keyboard, a
their full potential are now very different. Much is feature of the TRON project. The key tops are laid on a
needed to correct the situation. convex surface that fits the human hand comfortably.
Computer systems today are like a house that has
gone through many stages of renovations and ad-
ditions, starting from a cozy house for two and ex- puter systems, we realize that future compatibility
panding to a large house with rooms for children. As clearly becomes more important than backward
such a house may have many winding corridors and compatibility.
the joints between the new installations and old ones If we are to prepare for future compatibility with
may tend to allow rain to seep in, so have today's applications in the 1990's, we must establish new,
computer systems become complicated with many clean computer system architectures by doing away
defects that can be discerned by careful with outdated designs. If we have to make correc-
programmers. tions to the computer systems, we must do it quickly
Naturally, such problems tend to grow on their and in a consistent and uniform way. An attempt to
own. So, if we allow these problems to exist today, make such a correction is the TRON project that is
they will become larger and their inertia, so to speak, reported in this issue of IEEE Micro.
will make them very hard to eradicate. One notable feature of the TRON project is its
When we speak of compatibility, we tend to speak openness. We will make public the results of the
only of backward compatibility. However, preparing project, such as system specifications, and distribute
the system to grow and develop smoothly to meet them at nominal cost. Also we welcome the opinions
future demands can be considered forward com- of interested parties during the current design stage of
patibility with the applications of the future. When the computer system components presently involved
we think of the ever-growing applications of com- in the TRON project. The TRON Association, an
4 0272-1732/87/0400-0004$01.00©1987 IEEE IEEE MICRO
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April 1987 5
 Introduction

A promotional videotape about TRON focuses on the project's

special features. These pictures taken from the video show a man
wearing a brass mask to symbolize the frustrations of people who
have had to use the "old" computers under great constraints; he has
had to struggle to get his answers. In contrast is the young girl
operating a TRON-based workstation, who gets her answers as
smoothly as if she were playing a musical instrument.

organization to promote the

TRON project, is open to
anyone from any country. If
you have access to a computer
network, you may send your
opinions to me at this
computer account: RELAY.
CSNETUTOKYO.
I would like to thank Jim Farrell, your editor-in- _o$XttEt>4-t~~~:
of 9S9-L@ tf*
chief, who sent and read electronic mail messages to
and from Japan even on holidays. (Once when we ex-
changed electronic mail last winter, it was snowing in I
~
t e ' o 7 1-2y~~'H-W ' H b Xt-f- eA-,
V
-

Tokyo while Jim enjoyed sunny weather in Phoenix

where he lives.) Also, I must thank Jim for his de-
cision to include the Japanese version of this intro- o).t 5 H*A)fi)~04
duction in IEEE Micro. I wonder how often such -8 LIc 7) J9: t t o t L*4tf% t) 9h '
Japanese text appears in IEEE publications.
Also appreciated is the contribution of Marie
English and Joe Schallan. My hope is that the con-
tents of this issue are worth their editing efforts.
Further thanks go to eight major members of the
TRON Association for their help in preparing this -nt
U; A3-ft -: 4tAE
, H S-tffi L~t Aii
t*$3tcL F1S
oA
issue; their time and efforts are appreciated: Fujitsu, 14f^
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Hjo
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LL L o
Hitachi, Matsushita, Mitsubishi, NEC, NTT, Oki, *V9i14
and Toshiba.
Last, I wish to mention that I am grateful for the *tt, IEIt
EtCOMPM AML36:{L,%Ic;.
existence of Compmail +. Without the electronic Zi&i: IEEE0) JKA8-}'>C0MPMAIL + 4:j L Ict
mail system, this issue could not have been prepared
so smoothly and in such a short time. ,IO
Ken Sakamura's picture, biography, and address
appear on page 14.

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