Automotive Safety and Emissions Standards to Drive Processor Power, says ABI Research

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.--Dec. 1, 20043, 2004--Ever-tightening emissions standards and taxes on vehicles with poor fuel economy are indirectly resulting in a surge from engine management systems based on 16-bit processors, to new designs based on 32-bit architectures.

That is one of the conclusions in ABI Research's new study, "Automotive Electronics Systems: Market Requirements for Microcontrollers, Accelerometers, Hall Effect and Pressure Sensors", which explores the growing proliferation of electronic components in automotive platforms, with a special focus on microcontrollers.

ABI Research analyst Robert LaGuerra says, "We believe engine management systems will go to a 32-bit processor architecture as a result of increasingly stringent emissions standards and higher taxes on vehicles with poor fuel efficiency."

For the engine to burn as efficiently as possible, additional sensors and processing power must be added, to obtain more accurate control of fuel supply, spark and emissions. That demands the use of 32-bit systems. Emerging countries will still be able to use 16-bit, but by the end of the study's forecast period in 2010, nearly all engines in the U.S. will be using 32 bit microcontrollers.

"Everyone is assuming that 8-bit microcontrollers systems will evolve to 16-bit, and from 16 to 32-bit," says LaGuerra. "We think that's wrong: the 16-bit stage will be short-lived, assuming that 32-bit processor prices decrease as quickly as we think they will; 8-bit's evolution will most likely progress towards the role of smart sensors and actuators."

LaGuerra adds, "Approximately 30% of all warranty issues today are software and silicon-related. Processors are proliferating in the vehicle. Adding too many components that are intended to make the car more reliable, may actually reduce reliability. The industry will look to simplify things, using fewer, heavier-duty processors With 32-bit, you have the overhead to expand functionality.

The new ABI Research study examines all major automotive subsystems and their microcontroller requirements, including powertrain, infotainment, dashboard and convenience, body and chassis control, and safety systems.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations that support annual research programs, intelligence services and market reports in wireless, automotive, semiconductors, broadband, and energy. For more information please visit www.abiresearch.com, or call 516.624.2500.