BiiN
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer systems, Fault-tolerant computing |
| Predecessor | Intel iAPX 432 project |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Fate | Discontinued, technology repurposed by Intel |
| Headquarters | Portland , United States |
Area served | Critical sectors including online transaction processing, industrial automation, defense, national broadcast services |
| Products | Fault-tolerant multi-processor computer systems based on Intel i960 XA processor |
| Parent | Intel and Siemens (joint venture) |
BiiN Corporation was established as a collaborative venture between Intel and Siemens with the goal of creating fault-tolerant, high-performance multi-processor computer systems based on specialized microprocessor architectures. The initiative traced its roots to Intel's earlier Intel iAPX 432 project and aimed at critical sectors such as online transaction processing, industrial automation, defense applications, and national broadcast services. Despite an investment nearing $300 million and cutting-edge technology, the enterprise was discontinued by 1990 without generating commercial revenue. Subsequently, Intel repurposed BiiN’s processor designs to develop the successful Intel i960 embedded processor family.
History
The origins of BiiN date back to 1982 under the name Gemini, a research collaboration jointly funded by Intel and Siemens’ energy division UBE, focused on building fault-tolerant computing platforms. The project prioritized transparent multiprocessing, adaptive fault tolerance, and robust security features tailored for mission-critical environments. Development efforts were spread across Intel’s Portland facility and Siemens’ locations in Berlin, Vienna, Princeton, and Nuremberg.
By 1985, Gemini had transitioned into BiiN Partners, becoming a wholly owned Intel-Siemens enterprise by 1988. To comply with U.S. government procurement rules, Intel created BiiN Federal Systems. Intel maintained ownership of the silicon designs which were licensed to Siemens, while Siemens held rights to the software and documentation that were licensed back to Intel.
BiiN focused on the premium fault-tolerant computing segment, positioning itself against competitors such as Tandem Computers and Stratus Computer, rather than entering the parallel processing market led by companies like Sequent Computer Systems. However, internal conflicts combined with Siemens’ changing strategic focus resulted in funding cuts in 1989. As a result, pre-orders were canceled and the company was dissolved by 1990.
After BiiN’s closure, Intel adapted its RISC CPU core for later i960 processors optimized for embedded applications. Additionally, Hughes Aircraft acquired licenses to BiiN’s silicon designs for use in the Advanced Tactical Fighter program (which evolved into the F-22 Raptor).
Description
At the heart of BiiN’s system architecture was the Intel i960 XA processor—a RISC-based successor to the i432 that incorporated tagged memory for enhanced program protection, sophisticated task management instructions, and embedded microcode control. Compared to its predecessor, the 960 XA delivered superior performance through a streamlined instruction set and full integration of an FPU within the CPU.
Two primary system configurations were developed: the BiiN 20, designed for one or two processors featuring battery-backed disk caching; and the larger BiiN 60, capable of supporting up to eight CPUs. Both models allowed scalable multi-machine setups.
A unique aspect of BiiN systems was their flexible CPU utilization—users could configure machines either for maximum fault tolerance or increased parallel processing depending on operational requirements. Fault tolerance was implemented in modes such as paired processors conducting mutual error detection with automatic exclusion of defective units ("fault-checking mode") or duplicated pairs providing immediate failover capability ("continuous operation mode").
All software components—including the operating system (BiiN/OS), application programs, and development tools—were exclusively developed using the Ada programming language, representing one of its largest commercial deployments outside military contexts.
The system featured a command line interface (CLI) offering functionalities similar to later shell environments like editable command history. Documentation was produced using proprietary macros within troff or Scribe markup languages. Development activities primarily took place on VAX workstations running BSD Unix.
External links
- BiiN CPU Architecture Reference Manual (i960XA Instruction Set)
- BiiN Documentation available at bitsavers.org
- Articles with short description
- 1982 establishments in Oregon
- 1990 disestablishments in Oregon
- American companies founded in 1982
- American companies closed in 1990
- Computer firms founded in 1982
- Computer firms closed in 1990
- Oregon-based defunct companies
- Defunct U.S. computer companies
- Defunct computer hardware manufacturers
- Defunct computer systems manufacturers
- Intel
- Siemens
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- American companies established in 1982
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment