When creating your next embedded system, should you use a discrete off-the-shelf processor, or should you embed the processor in an FPGA? This will be the topic of a No-Holds-Barred live debate between yours truly and Jim Turley at ESC Silicon Valley, April 2010.

Of course the whole Embedded Systems Conference is going to be a blast, but I think the most exciting day will be Tuesday 27 April. In the morning, I'm really looking forward to Dr. Michio Kaku's Keynote Presentation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. And in the afternoon, we have our No-Holds-Barred live debate from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. in ESC Theater #1.

This Smackdown Cage Match will be refereed by Rich Nass, and I'm informed that free beer will be available somewhere at the show around the time our debate commences (that's how I was enticed to appear in the first place [grin]).

Representing the opposition (taking the remarkably silly position that you should use an off-the-shelf processor) is Jim Turley – the man, the myth, the legend (would you buy a used microprocessor from this man?).

Jim is an acknowledged authority on microprocessor chips, embedded systems, semiconductors, and intellectual property licensing (to name but a few). He is the author of seven books, was past editor of the prestigious industry journal Microprocessor Report, was past Editor-in-Chief of Embedded Systems Design magazine, and is currently publisher of Silicon Insider.

According to the Silicon Insider website (which I have to admit is rather tasty), Jim lives and works in the Monterey Bay Area in California, records technical books on tape for blind engineering students, and is a competitive Formula race car driver. He has a talented, accomplished and stunningly attractive wife, two overachieving children, and an apparently brain-damaged dog.

"Good grief, Caruthers, is there nothing this man cannot do?"

Meanwhile, yours truly – ½ man, ½ beast, and ½ wit – is taking the obviously and self-evidently-correct position that your processor core(s) should be embedded in your FPGA as nature intended.

Although I cannot claim to drive race cars, I am a trend-setter and leader of fashion, an expert in all aspects of electronics and computing (at least according to my mother), and I too have a talented, accomplished, and stunningly attractive wife (the Gorgeous Gina). Hmm... maybe Jim and I should simply sit in the corner quaffing a beer or three and let our wives battle it out on stage. We could charge admission – heck, I'd pay admission!

Sorry... I'm "projecting" again...

I also have two stupid dogs called Henri and Lili. Seriously ... 10,000 years or so ago a "stupid gene" developed ... over the ages it evolved ... and it's reached its peak in Henri and Lili.

But we digress ... I have to start preparing for our "debate". First I'm off to the gym to start pumping iron and lifting weights – then I have to purchase some boxing gloves – and then off to my tailor to be fitted for some boxing shorts. Meanwhile you too have your part to play ... you can start practicing "The Wave" for when I stride onto the stage (and your jeers for when Jim skulks over to his corner).