Vol 18, Issue 47

November 22, 2004

Thoughts of Spring and Processors

By Kevin Krewell

This is another of those editorials covering a bunch of smaller topics. First, let me remind you that the call for papers is out for Spring Processor Forum. We are looking particularly for papers involving PC/notebook processors, server processors, low-power embedded processors, consumer embedded processors, imaging and video DSPs, and the challenges of advanced semiconductor design. Our website at www.mdronline.com/spf/ has more details on the submission process.

Spring Processor Forum will be held on May 17–18, 2004, at the newly remodeled San Jose Doubletree Hotel. This will be our first forum at this hotel, and it's very promising. The Doubletree is closer to the San Jose airport (with a free shuttle) than our previous venue, has plenty of free parking, and has a more flexible exhibition space. We will introduce multiple tracks on the second day of the conference (Wednesday afternoon) in order to offer more material of direct interest to attendees. We'll provide details of the program in late January.

Processor Forum Taiwan

We had a great turnout for our first international forum. Processor Forum Taiwan, which was held in Hsinchu in October, was attended by approximately 200 engineers. Because of this success, we plan to return to Taiwan next year. At the Taiwan forum, the opening keynote was presented by David Chih-Wei Chang, deputy general director of the Industrial Technology Research Institute's (ITRI) SoC Technology Center. He presented ITRI's views on the present status and future directions of engineering development in Taiwan. Max Baron and Mr. Chang are co-authoring a paper based on the presentation; it should appear in next month's newsletter.

Unfortunately, the forum took two of our analysts, Max Baron and Tom Halfhill, out of the country for a week, and we're still catching up on our coverage areas. I'm sure you're getting tired of reading just my material. Jim McGregor is currently investigating the details of PC/server power management and dual-core design issues. You will see more on those hot topics soon.

Microprocessor Count for SpaceShipOne

There is a theme to the rest of this editorial—microprocessors surround us and can take us into space or to the shopping mall. After my last editorial, I decided it would be interesting to check just how many microprocessors are on SpaceShipOne. I received an email response from Scaled Composite LLC employee Peter Siebold, whose title is SpaceShipOne avionics and simulation project engineer and SpaceShipOne test pilot as well. His response:

"Bottom line is it depends on where you draw the line. All our communication radios are modern digital variants, which all have some form of DSP or microprocessor (3). We have two GPS receivers on board, which by themselves also have a microprocessor each (2). We have a motor controller which helps the pilot out by turning the rocket off before anything bad can happen (1). We have at least two microcontrollers (PICs) which do various things, such as help turn off the motor after a fixed amount of burn time and converting outside pressure readings for our transponder (2). We also have two very accurate pressure transducers which are digital and have an embedded microcontroller in each (2). Our main avionics suite has a total of two Intel PIII 800MHz microprocessors (2). We also have a backup air-data display, which I presume has at least one microprocessor (1). So to add these all up, 13, and I bet I missed one or two. We do, however, consider this simple."

The SpaceShipOne design reminds me of what Albert Einstein said: "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."

The 15 or so processors in SpaceShipOne add up to fewer than are in most cars today, as there has been an explosion in microprocessors in automobiles during the past decade. My 1996 Mazda Miata is almost all manual: the transmission, convertible top, A/C, windows, doors, and brakes (no antilock) are all manual. The number of processors in my Miata likely includes one or two in the engine-management unit, one in the aftermarket stereo, and one for the airbag system. That's probably all of three to four.

On the other hand, last year I splurged on a new, rotary-engine-powered, 2004 Mazda RX-8. I've owned two Mazda RX-7s in the past ('82 and '86) and I love the free-revving rotary engine. This car, unlike the Miata, came with power everything, except I got the manual transmission. There are very likely processors in the climate control, instrument panel cluster, radio, antilock brakes, traction control, engine management, tire-pressure monitor, power-window controller, interior light management, and door locks. And that's for a sports car. A modern luxury car can have more than 60 processors.

Think about it. You can reach the edge of space in a vehicle that has about 15 microprocessors, but driving your car, on the ground, can require the coordinated action of 50 or more!

Microprocessors Surround Us

If I add up the processors in the rest of my house—the new, power-efficient clothes washer and dryer, microwave oven, dishwasher, three VCRs, various CD players, a couple of DVD players, Xbox, PlayStation 2, DSL modem, Wi-Fi router, three printers, a scanner, the security system, various TVs, the surround-sound stereo system, cordless phones, the programmable coffee pot, and my wife's car—there must be well over a hundred processors around the house. Suddenly I don't feel so bad about having six PCs and notebook computers—they are far outnumbered by all the embedded processors. Someday all these processor will be able to communicate with each other. Now, that's a scary thought.