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Bit Microprocessors
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Computerizing the Driving Experience
The cars of today are a far cry for what they used to be in the last half of the preceding century. It used to be luxury owning one. For some brands, it still is. But for the majority of cars on the road, the impetus for marketing one has grown beyond mere stylish sybaritic comforts to get you from one place to another. Sure, they all do in varying degrees. But even luxury cars have to bow to the manufacturing demands resulting from both political and earthly exigencies of the times requiring car making strategies that address two major areas. These are Environment Friendliness and Fuel Efficiency.
Hybrids Emerging
Used to be the subject of science fiction, electric cars are now a reality. But their practical usefulness is often impaired by limited mileage that behooved automakers to continue with the combustion engine that still require fossil fuels to run in various mix with other high octane substances like ethanol and diesel products. So what you have is called a hybrid – a mix of electrically driven and engine-driven cars that are computer controlled to give the right mix in either parallel or series configuration that can efficiently propel the automobile.
All the new cars are hybrids in either parallel or series configuration or both. The sub compact Hondas and Toyotas lead the market for cars that has proven to be practical for city driving and still provide value in terms of fuel efficiency and meeting strict emissions for an environmentally acceptable car.
Computers Everywhere
Every year new automobile models come out that seem to increase in complexity. Cars on the road are running computers as they often use dozens of microprocessors to control just about every electro-mechanical functions. The main components are sensors that feed data to on board computers that have made driving a breeze. From cabin control, cruise control, engine diagnostics and control, to braking and tire conditions, sensors are just about everywhere on even an economy subcompact car.
A modern ECU or engine control unit is a computer in itself, using 32-bit microprocessors that control the gathering of engine data from dozens of disparate sensors monitoring all aspects of engine performance. From sensing coolant temperatures to the amount of carbon monoxides in the exhaust, the ECY performs the calculations to determine the best spark timing, fuel mixes and how long the fuel injector remains open. Not only does the ECY do this to optimize engine performance, it does to ensure the highest mileage and the least emissions.
The cabin of SUVs and cars are no less complex. You have a dashboard that’s essentially a computer display panel with many models using LCD mounted displays instead of the usual mechanical gauges. Sensors are just as numerous, telling the driver which door remains open, seatbelts not locked, as well as monitoring creature comforts like entertainment systems, air conditioning and heating systems. Driving itself is mostly controlled by computers to assist the driver in cruise controls, ride stiffness or softness and gear shifts.
What’s Next?
The next step is almost a natural – the intelligent car. There are already high end cars from noted luxury brands with smart security systems for driver recognition, keyless access and ignition as well as utilizing GPS navigation and total shut down in the event it gets stolen. A smart car for a smart home? Why not? GP
About the Author
ITC Sales are a leading supplier of Dell and HP Laptops such as the Dell Precision and the Dell Vostro.
8 bit and 16 bit microprocessor?
Although 16 bit microprocessors are faster than 8 bit microprocessor, why does not everyone using an 8 bit machine just switch over to a 16 bit processor?
well actually 8 bit and 16 bit are outdated as processors for personal computers. the last 16 bit cpu was a 486. now we use 32 bit and 64 bit. if you have a core 2 duo or above or an amd 64 or above you already at 64 bit. the only cpus still using 8 and 16 bit are microcontrollers really except for collectors and people just using old machines for particular reasons such as for old gaming machines to play their favorite old games. and microcontrollers are still using it simply because its all teh power they need to run your microwave and washing machine and alarm system. and the main reason for anyone not using a 64 instead of a 32 would be cost as not everyone can constantly afford to upgrade their machines. so that is the answer your probably looking for. and just to note the bits is not what regulates the speed it is actually the frequency we base an idea of speed on, the hertz or mega /giga hertz which actually is the rate at which it passes cycles. and the bits to state it simply is the data size the cpu can handle. speed is actually a multitude of factors as a whole although frequency is the biggest regulating factor we consider
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July 19, 2009 at 5:33 am, filed under
Vintage Computers and tagged
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