e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

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Computer chips & next generation telemetry

Jason Thibeault takes a look at how smart computer chips could change the concept of telematics, as we know it. (10/28/2002)

When we imagine the ubiquity of Telematics, we have to imagine a future where technology is not "in our faces." Our computing lives are no longer dominated by the Personal Computer, the Mini Tower, the PDA, or even our mobile phones. We think less of accessing a "computing device" when we want information and more about accessing a software application to accomplish our task. In this future computing is so pervasive, so transparent, that we are not limited by the how we access.

Unfortunately, what we have now is so far from that-like the difference between building with Lincoln Logs™ and LEGO Mindstorms™. I have written about this future before ("Telematics - Driving in Your Home," and "Telematics 2") but only out of whimsy. That is, until now. As technology has become smaller, faster, and more flexible, our ability to link technologies together to create "networks" and "platforms" of connectivity (embedded into almost everything we touch-from books to ATMs to our cars) is becoming more of a reality. Companies like Equator Technologies, Inc. (www.equator.com) are developing single-source chips-embedded technology that is soft-coded rather than hard-coded built upon open, industry-standard operating systems like Linux-which will make Telematics (and other technologies) as transparent as the chips that control the timer on our coffee machines. Other companies are building the communication backbones to provide connectivity for such "master chips". SiGe (www.sige.com) is developing an ultra-low power and small-footprint communications chip (such as GPS, Bluetooth, and wireless) capable of integration into any "front-end" device (like a PDA or car).

Equator Technologies manufacturers two chips, the MAP-CA™ and BSP™-15 DSPs. According to their website, these two chips "move the central functions of digital imaging, communications, and media applications into software, enabling a revolution in product functions, flexibility, and time-to-market." Of course, this is a fundamental departure from traditional electronics manufacturing where the functionality has largely been embedded within the hardware. Look at DVD players and video camcorders-there is no way for the consumer to improve upon the playback, aspect ratio, or resolution because the video algorithms are hard coded into the hardware technology.

According to Jean-Luc Droitcourt, Director of Marketing for Equator, this is a "fundamental shift in the approach to developing chip technology." The BSP™-15 DSP has an integrated CPU as well as the ability to implement any number of operating systems (i.e., Linux or Windows CE). "This means everything is downloadable," says Jean-Luc. "If a new video algorithm is available it can just be downloaded. The software controls everything, not the hardware."

SiGe's forthcoming product, PointCharger™, is a highly-integrated GPS receiver with a complete receiver chain in a 4mmx4mm package. It has less than a 10ma power draw, which is 1/3, the current draw of its competitor products. Combined with SiGe's ST Micro Baseband, this becomes a complete GPS solution-antenna, processor, and receiver-in a 4cmX4cm package, which is significantly smaller than a Compact Flash or SD/MMC card.

According to Geoff Haynes, of SiGe, "this product brings a significant improvement to the current GPS solutions in terms of sensitivity. Our PointCharger product is 10% to 15% more sensitive than the GPS technology currently in cellular phones and other devices." And, like Equator Technologies, SiGe is looking to software vendors and partners to provide critical components. "We are partnering for the RF and Baseband software, looking for suppliers that have written applications for similar architectures.'

It is easy to see how these two technologies could integrate to create an extremely small, totally self-contained computing platform-processing, video output, and communications. And, how they might benefit the telematics space. For those with little imagination, there is the obvious-infotainment. Equator's chip, integrated with onboard entertainment such as in-dash navigation systems, in-seat LCDs, etc, could promise low-cost alternatives to today's expensive systems. Their single chip could control a broadband network running throughout the entire car providing DVD playback, MP3 playback, hands-free mobile video conferencing, and a host of other video and audio-based services. SiGe's chip could then power the communications infrastructure, providing not only location-based services (through the in-dash GPS navigation system), but also other types of voice (and voice-less) communication.

And, because both are largely software based, when new video processing or more sensitive GPS software becomes available, it can simply be downloaded and updated without the expensive cost of hardware replacement-perhaps even wirelessly.

But it's beyond that obvious application where the "platform" bodes the most promise. The BSP™-15, because it is a "totally self-contained computing environment" is flexible enough to support a number of different systems-entertainment, safety, security, environmental, etc. For example, cameras attached to the car's rear-view mirror could analyze the iris and pupil reaction to light, setting off an internal alarm when the driver is about to fall asleep. Additional cameras on the front bumper could analyze road conditions hundreds of feet above. With billions of processes per second, advanced video software could analyze potential hazards and offer navigational corrections (or even make slight adjustments in steering). Integrated with SiGe's communications technologies, there is countless information gathered from the BSP™-15 that could be communicated to a variety of sources. For example, in the case of the iris and pupil reaction analysis, when a driver is about to fall asleep, authorities could be notified of a pending accident. But, SiGe's PointCharger™ product (and future iterations) could also be used to connect the car to a wireless network of connectivity-from Bluetooth to 802.11b. With new VoIP (Voice over IP) technologies, all cars could have voice-enabled technologies without cellular signal.

Equator's and SiGe's integrated, low-power chips seem promise the flexibility that OEMs have been looking for as well as portend unlimited opportunities for the future. Not only do these two chips provide for audio, video, and communications. A combination of chips like these could become the backbone for all computing services within the automobile and yet remain open enough for third-party providers to create innovative applications.

According to Thilo Koslowski, the Lead Automotive Analyst for Gartner/G2, this is exactly where things are headed. "OEMs are looking for Telematics technology that provides users applications while they are driving," he says. "Some of the (OEMs) are beginning to realize that Telematics is about providing a valuable service, not about making money." Mr. Koslowski's opinions are borne out by Ford's recent closing of Wingcast. "The future of telematics is not in providing user's content," says Mr. Koslowski (although GM would probably disagree), "but in providing them value through applications."

Mr. Koslowski, Mr. Droitcourt, and Mr. Haynes share the same fundamental opinion-that technology like Equator's and SiGe's chips will enable the automobile to become a "node" on a larger IP-based network. And as we have come to expect from our networks, there is no limit to what we can access-video, audio, voice, and text. The car, just like the PDA, will simply become a "platform" for accessing information and services through innovative and valuable applications (in this case, Telematics). In some cases, that information will be road conditions or GPS location. In other cases, that information may be movies or satellite radio.

Of course, it's unclear if technology like this will ever make it into the supply chain. Although both the BSP™-15 and PointCharger solutions portend the birth of a "platform," they also requires the OEM to radically alter the infrastructure of the car-if chips like these are to become the central computing component for all the car's electronics, then it requires an entire re-tooling of the onboard systems. That, of course, equates to investment on the part of the OEMs.

Regardless, though, of how much it costs to implement, we have finally reached a point within our technological advancement where the promise of transparent ubiquity can be realized-embedded chips covering all aspects of computing (processing, connectivity, and storage) with flexible enough structures (open operating systems such as Linux) to allow service providers the ability to deliver value-added applications, rather than convince consumers to buy a new piece of hardware.

All that's left now is to watch, wait, and hope that automotive and other electronic OEMs put aside their Lincoln Logs™ for a much more expensive, but ultimately beneficial, computer system from LEGO
http://www.telematicsupdate.com/homepage2.asp?news=32958
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