Programmable Memory Trends in the Automotive Industry

Semiconductor memory has served as a driving force behind integrated circuit chip technology over the past three decades at the same time as it has revolutionized the computer, consumer electronics, and industrial electronics industries. Recent developments in low cost reprogrammable memory technologies have added new dimensions of flexibility, serviceability, customization, and intelligence to electronic subsystems. These features are of particular value to automobiles of the future. Uses of UV-erasable EPROM's, electrically erasable EEPROM's, and related Flash erasable EEPROM's are already beginning to revolutionize powertrain and embedded controller applications, and it is anticipated that they will rapidly pervade additional safety, driver information, and comfort applications in the coming decade. Reprogrammable memory is also expected to enable the “intelligent automobile” of the future, capable of self diagnosis, repair, and navigation, as well as revolutionizing the driver vehicle interface.