Re: x86 as an embedded processor
x86 is not taking over the embedded market, espc. deeply embedded where it's hardly used at all.
The x86 architecture is becoming such a dominant force that the biggest competitor to the x86, Motorola, is about to enter the market by acquiring an x86 company! They should've bought Cyrix rather than National. The EE Times article, "Motorola and Intel prep board moves for embedded X86" explains at techweb.cmp.com. The x86 architecture was 20% of the market in 1995 and today it's estimated to be 34%.
I'm using one right now, actually. And I first programmed an 8088 back in the early 80's.
I'm very surprised. I knew there was a 34% probability, but you're the last guy I expected to convert to the Church of Intel. What was the motivation for your decision? Was it the faster time to market? DOS or Windows compatibility? The wide range of development tools? The massive collection of software applications available off-the-shelf? I suppose your previous post indicates the huge number of application programmers wasn't a factor, although many other x86 users would cite it as a factor in their decisions.
An application programmer is an application programmer is an application programmer. In most cases s/he doesn't even care what microprocessor s/he's using. S/he's normally a level removed from the architecture. So it's not an issue unless your're talking about Windows programmers.
Yes, I'm talking about Windows programmers. Wouldn't you agree that Microsoft is an important OS vendor in the x86 market? The people on this thread are the only investors on SI that consider Microsoft a doddering old company that will miss the Next Big Thing - Ubiquitous Computing. Every other competitor recognizes them as an unstoppable force on the right side of history with an unfair advantage and whines to the government to place restrictions on their activities!
According to David Shear, Senior Analyst at Embedded Systems Research in his article, "Reducing Development Time with the Embedded PC" at intel.com
The world is moving towards graphical user interfaces (GUI) in a big way. In the not too distant future, most embedded systems will need a GUI. Cash registers, copy machines, industrial controls, and test equipment are examples of systems that have already moved to GUIs.
Windows may not be an issue to you, but it's an issue for Motorola. The EE Times article cited above states that they're acquiring an x86 company because:
The decision was said to have been approved at Motorola's highest corporate levels, motivated by Microsoft Corp.'s decision to end support for Windows NT on the PowerPC....The NT operating system...is seen as essential by other Motorola divisions that manufacture satellite communications systems, advanced intelligent nodes for telecommunications markets and ground stations for cellular communications.
I suggest you read the article, "The PC Architecture: New Standard for Embedded Systems" at radisys.com
The standardization that has unified the office environment promises to revolutionize the world of embedded computing as well. This vehicle is PC technology....
Another factor motivating the adoption of standards in embedded systems is the growing sophistication of user interfaces: not just fancier graphical screens, but the requirement for multimedia audio and video interfaces. To support these sophisticated functions with minimum development costs, designers look to incorporate standard software platforms in their products, and a whole industry has sprung up to provide graphical user interfaces for automation equipment and test instruments.
In addition to window-oriented OS's which are being heavily used in embedded applications that require human interfaces, the humble DOS is also seeing increased usage. Microsoft and their marketing partners are continuing to promote ROM-DOS as a standard embedded OS for general purpose applications. |
