If a h/w bootstrapping approach had instead been used, OpenCores could have started by designing as their Project #1 a simple FPGA architecture based on classic hardware designs on which patents have expired, and that FPGA could then have been used to prototype OpenRISC using completely open source tools. And then of course, Adapteva could have used that programmable logic capability for interfacing with Epiphany using completely open tools and hardware, FPGA included.
One can dream ... Maybe someday a fully OSHW FPGA and its complete FOSS toolchain will become a reality.
Morgaine.
