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To: tejek who wrote (52122)	8/23/2001 9:00:27 AM
From: hmaly	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 275872

Ted Re..Right now, aren't most 'chips' used in cars discreet semiconductors or diodes? <<<<<<<<<< AFAIK most cars nowadays would have several small computers in them; mostly to control emissions. They have sensors on the tailpipe which send the amount of NIOX and Co2 etc to a computer which adjust the injectors and firing timing to more completely burn the gas. Certainly that is one area where a more powerful computer might be used; but I think GPS systems and backing sensors etc would be the most likely use. With the price of the cheap durons around $30, it could be quite likely many producers will start using a general purpose computer and program it to do many jobs, rather than a simple computer for each specific job. And AMD with their success in flash for autos, and higher heat tolerance in their chips, could have a head start.

To: tejek who wrote (52122)	8/23/2001 9:55:35 AM
From: greg s	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 275872

Ted, re: aren't most 'chips' used in cars discreet semiconductors or diodes? Actually, most are 8- and 16-bit microcontrollers (embedded processors which are permanently programmed to perform one set of tasks, not reprogrammable). They are used for engine control (like Ford's EEC-4 module), ABS (anti skid braking), traction control, etc. These processors are extremely inexpensive with a very small die size ($10-20 in high volumes). Auto manufacturers also like the reliability and security of masked ROM where the operating code is permanently etched into the memory array (hence not reprogrammable). Kind regards, greg