Efforts grow to 'freeze' embedded x86 support
Article Abstract:
Vendors of embedded x86 microprocessors and core logic chip set manufacturers are working together to ensure that the building blocks of embedded control will continue to be available. Low-cost x86 microprocessors and familiar PC development tools facilitate the design of low-cost embedded control systems. Unfortunately, the rapid advanced in PC technology and accompanying chip sets make it difficult to design embedded systems that must remain stable for years. Chip set vendors, for example, dump old designs as new microprocessors come on the market. Conventional PCs are also not entirely suited to embedded use because features not needed for the target applications drive costs up. To assure a share of the $1.5 billion market, Intel and AMD are teaming with, respectively, RadiSys and Chips and Technologies, who will produce core logic for x386 processors. Some embedded x86 users are utilizing semicustom ICs to provide the support logic.
Publication Name: Electronic Business Today
Subject: Electronics and electrical industries
ISSN: 1085-8288
Year: 1995
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DSP muscles further into the microcontroller domain
Article Abstract:
A large number of chip makers are now working on ways to make DSP more appealing for embedded control by giving DSP features of low-cost, standard microcontrollers. Chip makers are also working to facilitate the job of developing efficient program code, which currently is a huge barrier for design projects. Some manufacturers are integrating separate DSP and microcontroller cores on the same die. Also, some microcontroller designs are being given aspects of DSP, which is suited to numerous real-time processing jobs in many control applications. Industry experts contend that the technological changes are causing everyone in the semiconductor industry to alter the way they think about embedded control. Vendors are competing with each other for high volume applications in numerous equipment designs, including electric motor controls, disk drives and automotive systems.
Publication Name: Electronic Business Today
Subject: Electronics and electrical industries
ISSN: 1085-8288
Year: 1996
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System-level integration: a whole new ball game
Article Abstract:
The semiconductor industry can expect changes in its future as system-level integration redefines the relationship between chips and systems. As ASICs become more complicated and denser, more demand is being placed on design tools. Vendors are turning to reusable designs to improve time to market and expand the functionality of the chips. As system integration reaches the chip level, companies are being forced to re-evaluate their business models, design methodologies and core-testing techniques. A new market may emerge somewhere between semiconductors and the electronic design automation (EDA) market where core designs are mixed and matched. Market research firm Dataquest estimates that by 2000, 50% of ASICs will be whole systems on a chip. Market leaders in this market segment include LSI Logic, Lucent Technologies, IBM, VLSI Technology, Toshiba and NEC.
Publication Name: Electronic Business Today
Subject: Electronics and electrical industries
ISSN: 1085-8288
Year: 1996
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