Will multibus get new life from live insertion?

Article Abstract:

In Sep 1995 Intel started promoting its live insertion technology, a new technique for removal and insertion of computer boards into Multibus II backplanes. The live insertion system, which does not require turning on and off the equipment, will reduce the possibility of system shutdown when a board fails. The new technology, which adds about $1,000 to the $7,000 cost of a Multibus II, should boost Intel's sales in the telecommunication and industrial automation markets. In implementing the new technology Intel worked with Micro Industries and Mupac, modifying the Multibus II backplane by creating a new central service module which adds firmware to the existing chassis. Although the company is proceeding with its implementation of live insertion, it acknowledges that the technology does not provide full fault tolerance, turning the Multibus II into a 'fault resilient' system, which enables equipment to withstand most failures and operate at reduced performance until serviced.

Planning, Innovations, Product information, Intel Corp., INTC, System design, Systems analysis, Computer peripherals industry, Company product planning, Buses (Computers), Bus architecture, Motherboard, Motherboards

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New uses, standards may boost smartcards

Article Abstract:

Changes in the market, new applications and emerging standards may drive the growth of smartcards and related technologies. Smartcards are credit card-sized devices containing memory and single-chip microcontrollers (MCUs), usually 8-bit Motorola devices. The cards can be used for access control, account debiting, and almost any kind of data, including health, insurance, passport, and license information. The $45 million 1994 market for semiconductors used in smartcards is expected to grow to $1.065 billion in the year 2000. About 90% of the market is in Europe, but US and Asia are both expected to constitute about a 20% share by the year 2000. Factors driving the growth include increasing consumer spending, the need for more security in cellular telephone and pay television systems, and the trend to world banking services. MasterCard, Visa and Europay support for a single smartcard standard known as EMV is also a factor.

Smart cards, Smart card

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The chip industry outlook is better than it seems

Article Abstract:

The semiconductor industry looks healthier than expected despite a gloomy outlook by some investors in the first part of 1996. Less-than-expected earnings from LSI Logic Corp and fab delay reports coming from Micron Technology Inc has caused stock prices in the semiconductor industry to dip. Depressed DRAM prices have also caused some travail in the market, but experts expect those prices to stabilize by year's end. Though most do not expect the traditional 20% annual growth for 1996, many view it as a good year. Intel believes that the PC market, which is suffering from a lull, will still drive the semiconductor market in 1996 from sales in Europe, Asia and Japan. Those companies not reliant on the PC market face even a rosier picture.

Analysis, Industry trend

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