As mind boggling as I2O implications are,there are other areas where embedded systems battles are going on that hold great promice for future revenues.
The following article discusses "Mechatronics" and the consolidation of multiple ECMs into fewer,but more powerful,units in the automotive industry.If these consolidations lead to the adoption of commercial off-the-shelf RTOSs,WINDs chances of winning a large percentage of those application are bright.
Frost & Sullivan: Mechatronics for Automobiles is the
Buzzword When it Comes to Electronic Control
Modules
PR Newswire - April 14, 1997 07:56
FINANCIAL AUT V%PRN P%PRN
Jump to first matched term
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The sensors that activate
your airbags, the cruise control that you use for long road trips, and the
antilock brakes found in your new passenger car or light truck are all
operated through electronic control modules. The merging of mechanical and
electronic systems has given rise to a new industry buzzword: "mechatronics."
A modern car may be able to have fifteen ECMs in the vehicle, but the average
for new vehicles is about nine.
The new strategic research by Frost & Sullivan, North American Automotive
Electronic Control Module Markets illustrates the trend of the electronic and
automotive industries coming together to take over the conventional mechanical
systems, therefore coining the term mechatronics. Ignition timing is an
example of an automotive system that once was controlled mechanically but is
now controlled electronically.
Automotive analysts Joerg Dittmer and Inge Matthey project that market
revenues will contract even though this is a dynamic market. Reasons for the
anticipated revenue decline include falling prices for ECMs and fewer ECMs per
car. Functions once distributed among several ECMs are now being combined
into integrated ECMs of higher functionality.
Recent press reports have questioned the effectiveness of antilock brake
systems and have publicized the hazards that air bags can pose to infants,
children, and small adults. Such doubts may cause car buyers to forego these
systems when they are offered as options, or to avoid car models that offer
them as standard features. Although Frost & Sullivan sees some near-term
growth for antilock brake systems, the market for airbag ECMs is almost
saturated.
Electronic systems have contributed substantially toward meeting the goals
of a cleaner and pollution-free vehicle. Government regulations aimed at
making the vehicle fleet safer, more fuel efficient, and less polluting has
promoted electronic control of the powertrain, brake, and airbag systems. One
of the technologies that can reduce exhaust emission is the powertrain control
module(PCM). The PCM controls engine functions and transmission shift points
to minimize emissions and fuel consumption.
In antilock brakes and traction control systems, ECMs are the processors
that use sensor inputs to detect wheel slip and then regulate braking
appropriately. Both the suspension and steering markets are projected to be
growth areas in this study.
This kind of growth offers a favorable time for manufacturers to take
advantage of new technologies and services; specific recommendations are
discussed in this research. Manufacturers should not be without this kind of
in-depth information. Ultimately, ECM manufacturers should remember that car
buyers, not car makers, are their ultimate customers.
Technologies discussed in this research for the powertrain-related
electronic control module market include engines, cruise control systems, and
transmissions. In the antilock break segment, traction control is covered.
Other technologies include airbag control systems, suspension-related systems
like load-leveling, damper control, semi-active and fully active suspension
systems. In the steering-related segments, technologies covered are
variable-assist hydraulic power steering, two-wheel electric steering, and
four-wheel electric steering. In the climate control segment, manual and
automatic control modules are discussed. The body system of electronic
control modules is also covered in this study.
The companies participating in this market include: American Yazaki
Corp., Amerigon, Inc., BMW of North America, Inc., Breed Technologies, Inc.,
Curtis Instruments, Inc., DAX Industries, Inc., Delco Electronics Corp.,
Delphi Automotive Systems, Delphi Packard Electric Systems, Denso
International America, INC., Eaton VORAD Technologies, LLC, Ford Electronics,
General Electric Motors and Industrial Systems, Harris Corp, Hitachi
Automotive Products (USA), Inc., Huntsville Electronics, Indiana Precision
Technology, ITT Automotive, Inc., Jefferson Programmed Power, LLC, Lucas Body
Systems, North America, Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc., Motorola
Automotive and Industrial Electronics Group (AIEG), Northrop Grumman
Electronic Sensors and Systems Division, Prince Corporation, Robert Bosch
Corporation, Rockwell Driver Information Systems, Siemens Automotive Corp.,
Solectria Corporation, Sony Electronics, Takata Total Safety Systems, TEMIC
Automotive Technical Center, TRW Automotive Electronics Group, Unique
Mobility, Inc., United Technologies Automotive, Inc., Alps Automotive,
Advantest America, Inc., Allegro MicroSystems, Inc., AlliedSignal, Inc., ASHA
Corp., AutoAlliance International, Inc., BMW Manufacturing Corp., Bush Creek
Technologies, C&H Technologies, Inc., CAMI Automotive, Inc., Checksum, Inc.,
Cherry Corporation/Automotive, Cherry Semiconductor Corp., Chrysler Corp.,
Cosworth Engineering Controls, Inc., CP Clare Corp., Daimler-Benz Research and
Technology, Delphi Chassis Systems, Delphi Energy & Engine Management Systems,
Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems, Delphi Interior and Lighting Systems, Delphi
Saginaw Steering Systems, Digalog Systems, Inc., Eaton Corp., Electronic
Concepts & Engineering, Inc., Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp., Harris
Corp., Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi Automotive Products (USA), Inc., Hughes
Electronics Corp., Integrated Systems, Inc. (ISI), Intel Corp.,
Hewlett-Packard, Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., JIT Engineering
Services, Inc., Lucas Control Systems Products, Mercedes-Benz U.S.
International, Inc., Methode Electronics, Inc., Microchip Technology Inc.,
Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc., Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of
America, Inc., Morton International, Inc., Motorola, Inc./Business Research,
Motorola Semiconductor, Products Sector, Inc., National Semiconductor Corp.,
NEC America Inc., New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., (NUMMI), Nissan Motor
Manufacturing Corp. U.S.A., ODU-USA, Inc., Pentastar Electronics, Inc., Safety
Components International, Inc., Saturn Corp., Scientific Test, Inc.,
SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc., Sparton Electronics, Subaru-Isuzu
Automotive, Inc., Supplemental Restraint Specialist, Inc. (SRS), Texas
Instruments, Inc., Thiokol Corp., Toshiba America Electronic Components,
Toyota Motor Manufacturing USA, Inc., TRW, Inc., VarityKelsey-Hayes Co.,
Volkswagen de Mexico SA de C.V., Volvo Canada Ltd., Walker Electronic
Silencing, Inc., and Wind River Systems, Inc.
Frost & Sullivan is an international marketing consulting company that
monitors the automotive industry for market trends, market measurements, and
strategies. This ongoing research is utilized to update research publications
such as #5575-18 Intelligent Transportation Systems and to support industry
participants with customized consulting.
Visit Frost & Sullivan's Web site at: frost.com
Report: 5562-18 Publish Date: April 1997 Price: $3250
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
NOTE TO EDITORS: Free executive summaries of all Frost & Sullivan
reports are available to the press.
Mitch
|
