Transmeta's Crusoe is an interesting combination of hardware and morphing software that brings to mind a broader spectrum than the execution of IA-32 binaries. Software-based Java interpreters and JIT compilers make the case for emulating a virtual machine on top of any processor. And an additional software product coming from Transitive Systems Ltd. in the U.K. has found a way to create native instruction-set binaries from code compiled for other processors. The end user can switch software. It can be application triggered.
Many applications require dedicated hardware for satisfactory performance.
Hardware transformers are more difficult. Microprocessors fighting for survival have become like the toy Transformers, bulging with added coprocessors, instruction sets, patches, and extensions. ARC and Tensilica have gone one step further by enabling embedded-system engineers to add their own specialized instructions. Designers can now fine-tune an ISA to the particular needs of the application. Improv and Infineon have introduced designer-configured DSP devices.