PlayStation 3 System Architecture

In this paper, we will discuss the System Architecture of Sony’s PayStation 3 (PS3). We will look at the Cell Broadband Engine Architecture (CEBA) and observe how the Power Processing Element (PPE) communicates with the Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs). We will also look at the Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) of the PS3 named the Reality Synthesizer (RSX). Next will look at how Extreme Data Rate Dynamic RandomAccess Memory (XDR DRAM) functions as the PS3’s main memory. We will also look at methods to bypass security measures on the PS3 to run arbitrary code and enable the ability to install an *ix based operating system (OS). Finally we will look at the commercial applications of the PS3’s Cell processor in the military and private sectors.