The evolution of microprocessor technology from Intel 4004 to present

¶ … Functionality of the Microprocessor

HISTORY OF MICROPROCESSOR

WHAT IS A MICROPROCESSOR?

THE FIRST SINGLE CHIP MICROPROCESSOR

THE INTEL FAMILY

OTHER MICROPROCESSOR FAMILIES

Intel 4004 (Internal View)

Intel 4004 (External View)

This paper aims to provide information on the history of microprocessor from the time it was developed up to the present time. Along with its history, this paper will discuss the diverse functionalities microprocessor serves in the development of state-of-the-art electronic machines and how it contributed in the revolution of computer technology.

Before the microprocessor was invented, a computer used to fill an entire room due to the large size of computer parts and components. Before, to computer users, size does not matter. A computer used to be a very expensive machine that only few was able to afford it. This includes several government labs, research universities, and large corporations (Taylor, 1997).

In 1964, silicon chip was invented. This chip integrates and miniaturizes the electronic circuitry of a computer. It was from this silicon chip that an engineer from Intel started to develop the first computer microprocessor that changed the way things used to be in computers.

What is a Microprocessor?

Before I discuss the history of microprocessor, let us first know what a microprocessor is.

Online article History of the Microprocessor indicates Dennis Kitzs's definition of a microprocessor,

The microprocessor is a general-purpose electronic calculation, comparison, and storage device capable of high speed and inexpensive manufacture. Most important its operation can be changed by programming"

In simple terms, microprocessor is the brain of the computer. It is the component that performs all the computing tasks to provide output to users. Without the microprocessor, a computer will not be able to function.

Intel 4004 - The First Single Chip Microprocessor

The history of computer microprocessor began from the development of the Intel 4004, the first microprocessor in the world.

Intel's 4004 started when Busicom, a Japanese manufacturer of calculators, ordered from Intel a set of design of chips for their upcoming high-performance calculator products. Logic chips then were customized for specific products. Busicom had

Intel 4004 (External View) an original design that would require 12 sets of chips, each for a particular function in a calculator. Instead of developing separate designs for this, Ted Hoff, an Intel engineer, proposed a single-chip design that will accommodate all functions required by Busicom. Hoff developed a general-purpose single-chip that retrieves instructions from a semiconductor memory (Taylor, 1997). The design success met the needs of Busicom, which aside from this, also served other applications without the Intel 4004 (Internal View) need for a re-design.

Because of the success in Hoff's multi-purpose single-chip, Intel bought the rights to the product from Busicom. Busicom agreed to Intel's proposal that paved the way for the introduction of Intel 4004, the first microprocessor in the world, in 1971.

Other Microprocessor Families

After Intel developed its first microprocessor chip, many companies began their business in the microprocessor market. Following are several historical dates of other microprocessor-producing companies.

1974 - Motorola released its NMOS 8-bit 6800.

1975-8-bit Zilog Z80 was launched. Zilog was established by Faggin and Shima, former Intel engineers. Z80 was said to perform better that its 8-bit counterpart of Intel.

1976-8-bit 6502 of MOS Technology was introduced.

1979 - Motorola released its 16-bit 68000 while Zilog introduced its Z8000.

1982 - While Intel released its 16-bit 80286, Motorola announced their own 68010 and 6805.

1984-32-bit 68020 of Motorala was introduced.

1987 - Z280, 16-bit version of Zilog's Z80, was released.