Sony has published a previously filed PS5 backwards compatibility patent that corroborates last month’s PS5 spec leak from AMD, detailing how the company is down-clocking the CPU of the console in order to allow it to match that of previous generation PlayStation hardware.

The patent is pretty lengthy, so we’ve included it below:

An application runs at a first operating frequency if the application is designed for a current version of a system and runs at a second operating frequency if the application is designed for a prior version of the system that operates at a lower frequency than the first operating frequency.

The second operating frequency may be higher than the operating frequency of the prior version of the system to account for differences in latency, throughput or other processing characteristics between the two systems. Software readable cycle counters are based on a spoof clock running at the operating frequency of the prior version of the system, rather than the true operating frequency.

It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

We already know that the PS5 will be able to play PS4 games, although Sony has said that not all games will be supported as of right now.

However, there have also been strengthening rumors that the system is capable of playing games from the PSOne, PS2, and PS3. This would be a major advantage for Sony as the PS4 did not support any form of backwards compatibility, and would put them on equal footing with the Xbox Series X.

The PS5 is set to release sometime during Holiday 2020 with a full unveiling expected sometime next month.



Posted: Jan 19, 2020 7:13 am
Related Forum: PlayStation Forum

Source: https://www.psu.com/news/ps5-backwards-compatibility-patent-corroborates-amd-leak/