Embedded Chips - Just y2k Hysteria

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One of my primary concerns regarding y2k is the potential failure of power companies. In my attempt to research this subject I have come to the understanding that one of the major problems is the embedded chip. It is my belief that each and every individual chip must be sought out within a system and be individually corrected by a computer professional. What complicates the problem is that there are more chips than there are professionals and remaining time to correct each chip.

In my attempts to discuss this belief with others I am bombarded with smirks, smiles, and remarks such as: "This is just y2k hype and hysteria". Most folks simply do not believe that there is a potential for major power outages. Many believe that those concerned with y2k belong in the psych ward. The ones that are difficult to write off as being in denial are those who have logical reasons for not believing in power outages, and since I do not have any technical expertise in either the electric or computer fields, I do not have a basis to argue back, and quite frankly, I am beginning to believe these "non-believers" as they are quite convincing. Some claim to have computer programmer friends as their source.

The "non-believers" seem to have one of two (seemingly contradictory) beliefs as to why embedded chips are not a problem:

1) Embedded chips in a power companies components do not function based on a date, they do not care what date it is, it is not a part of their memory. The only date oriented problems power companies will have will be in billing the customer since actual dates are used there.

2) All embedded chips are controlled by a master computer, they have to be or they would not know when to do what. All the electric company has to do is turn the date back on the master computer a few years and trick it into believing it is a few years back in time, and this will in turn correct any date problems with the individual embedded chips.

Is there any truth to beliefs number 1 and 2 above?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 1999

Answers

Duane,

The absolute best site on embedded controls is the embedded controls website of Mark A. Frautschi, Ph.D.

http://www.tmn.com/~frautsch/y2k2.html

Read through Mark's site, and I think it will put to rest both of the above two "misunderstandings" about the nature of embedded controls.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 1999


Duane and all,

The link Rick gives in the above post has much more to it than just the finest explanation of the embedded chip troubles. There are uncounted, (by me anyway), references with links to and through layer after layer of questions upon questions to answers and more answers.

If you're looking for a meaty bone to chew on that link is as good as you'll find.

Steve

-- Anonymous, January 30, 1999


For many folks the following link may be more useable than the Frautsch link on embedded chips. There is quite a lot of information here yet I'm finding it readable for a layperson and very smartly divided into small, digestible sections.

As far as I know the Institution of Electrical Engineers is reputable and unbiased. No personal agenda being served there. (although they too sell a book or two).

The Institution of Electrical Engineers

The Millennium Problem in Embedded Systems

http://www.iee.org.uk/2000risk/Welcome.html

Here's an exerpt from the section titled:

"Read this before you start 2"

At the extremes there are two different target audiences for this document. The first audience comprises those who want a better general understanding of the problems and how they need to be tackled, but do not expect (and probably would not be able, and certainly would be ill- advised) to attempt to tackle the work themselves. The second audience consists of those who are familiar with the technology but want help on managing a programme or in applying their technological knowledge to the problem or to particular aspects of it. Such people are to be found both in supplier and user companies. The enquiries received reveal that there are a number of people concerned with Year 2000 problems who need no help in particular matters but who admit openly that they do not know enough about other matters for which they have been given responsibility. Some of the material in the document arises directly from discussions with such people. Addressing a wide audience inevitably means that there is some overlap and duplication.

Hope it helps,

Steve

-- Anonymous, January 30, 1999


I've gotta do a big "d-oh!" (the Homer Simpson dope slap) on that one. How could I have forgotten the UK IEE guide? I bought the book about a year ago, and it's a great intro to the problem; probably a bit less technical than Mark's website. Note that everything that's in the book is on the IEE website, no charge. Seminal information on Y2k and embedded controls...

-- Anonymous, January 30, 1999

Hysteria breaks out when you cannot oversee the problem. Handling every single chip leads to hysteria, because you don't have the people in house and don't have time left to solve the problem. You have to rely on information from the supplier, manufacturer and your own professionals. Sometimes the supplier can offer you an audit of the system. The reports coming out of such an audit mostly recommend updating the system to get it compliant. When you are starting the project there will be some troubles with capacity of suppliers and manufactures to get your system compliant. This is more what worries me. Try to speed up the inventory by focussing on the suspected embedded systems and get in contact with suppliers and manufactures as soon as possible. It is too late to take a look at every single chip and is also not very wise, because you don't have to invent the wheel again and again. A lot of embedded systems are tested. A lot of information is available by suppliers or on Internet.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 1999


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