Fuzzy logic theory was first propounded in the US, but it has been the Japanese that have exploited the concept to create an array of intelligent electrical consumer goods. Playing catch-up in a big way, Motorola Inc’s Microprocessor and Memory Technologies Group in Austin, Texas is getting into the business of producing fuzzy chips as a result of an agreement with Aptronix Inc, a San Jose developer of fuzzy logic software application tools. Motorola says the relationship cements its commitment to fuzzy logic and its intention to incorporate it into existing and future products. Fuzzy logic reflects the real world by generating varying output levels to represent imprecise gradations like cold, lukewarm, warm, very warm, hot. Motorola says the key advantage is that it takes less code and fewer calculations to execute functions and therefore requires less processing power than conventional technologies, leading to a faster design cycle time, lower development cost and better price-performance. It expects that by 1997, half of all the microcontrollers it ships will incorporate fuzzy logic in hardware or software. Aptronix’s fuzzy software supports Motorola’s 68HCO5, 68HC11, 68HC16 and 68300 microcontroller families. Aptronix was formed in 1989 to design fuzzy logic tools for engineers.
