Anthony, sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but the IRS
demanded my complete attention.
In answer to your queries:
1) To my knowledge (someone please correct me if I'm mistaken) WinCE
cannot be configured without its GUI components. I think the
reason this capability is lacking is pretty straight-forward:
MSFT intends WinCE to be used in products that are directly
accessed by human users. MSFT is leveraging PC users' familiarity
with the Windows interface. They have demonstrated that they
understand user interface applications through their success in
the word processing and spreadsheet markets. They are now trying
to extend that success into the mobile and consumer electronics
sectors, but only where the Windows GUI is used by people to
operate the product; the user interface is MSFT's strength.
2) Yes, other auto manufacturers are developing embedded controllers
for their vehicles. In fact, the European manufacturers are
currently developing a LAN standard for autos to allow various
embedded system controllers to communicate and coordinate their
activities. Cars and trucks of the future will have a number of
embedded controllers, and these controllers DO have a "hard"
real-time requirement, and demand VERY high reliability (which
is exactly why VxWorks was chosen by GM and NASA, btw). Again,
given that the Siemens C166 is a popular processor for automotive
applications, and VxWorks is the only commercial RTOS for the
C166, I believe WIND has a great future in this market.
3) Embedded controllers in autos maximize fuel economy and minimize
emissions under variable conditions, including aging components.
These controllers take numerous sensor readings (air volume, air
temperature, fuel volume, engine temperature, RPMs, throttle
setting, etc.) many times each second and make adjustments (fuel
delivery, air intake, gear ratio, etc.) to achieve maximum
efficiency and responsiveness. They react to changing conditions
more rapidly than mechanical systems and can automatically make
adjustments as components in the car begin to wear over time.
They also allow the component (fuel injector, transmission) to
serve optimally in a broader range of vehicles. For instance, a
transmission controller can adjust the gear shifting algorithm
to accommodate engines with different torque/horsepower/rpm
profiles.
4) I don't believe you will see GM selling its proprietary tech-
nology to others. I do believe WIND has a solid future in the
automotive sector (see #2 above).
-Dave Lehenky |
