Microprocessor

Invented by : Faggin, Hoff, Mazor

Invented in year : 1971

Microprocessor is an Integrated circuit semiconductor chip that that contains the entire central processing unit of a computer on a single chip and controls the parts of a system. Microprocessors interpret and execute program instructions as well as handle arithmetic operations. Microprocessors are also known as a CPU or Central Processing Unit. A Microprocessor consists of multiple internal function units. A basic design has an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a control unit, a memory interface, an interrupt or exception controller, and an internal cache. More sophisticated microprocessors might also contain extra units that assist in floating-point match calculations, program branching, or vector processing. The earliest microprocessors were used for electronic calculators, using binary-coded decimal (BCD) arithmetic on 4-bit words.

History of the Invention

The invention of Integrated Circuits revolutionized computer design as it reduced the size of Integrated Circuits. In late 1969, a Japanese calculator manufacturer called Busicom asked Intel to build a chipset for high-performance desktop calculators. Busicom's original design called for a dozen different logic and memory chips including keyboard scanning, display control etc. Intel engineer, Ted Hoff decided that Intel could build one chip to do the work of twelve. Intel and Busicom agreed and funded the new programmable, general-purpose logic chip.

Federico Faggin headed the design team along with Ted Hoff and Stan Mazor, who wrote the software for the new chip. Nine months later, a revolution was born. At 1/8th inch wide by 1/6th inch long and consisting of 2,300 MOS (metal oxide semiconductor) transistors, the baby chip had as much power as the ENIAC, which had filled 3,000 cubic feet with 18,000 vacuum tubes. In November, 1971, Intel publicly introduced the World's First Single Chip Microprocessor, the Intel 4004 (U.S. Patent #3,821,715), invented by Intel engineers Federico Faggin, Ted Hoff, and Stan Mazor.

As the Invention was meant for Busicom, Intel decided to buy back the design and marketing rights to the 4004 from Busicom for $60,000. The next year Busicom went bankrupt, they never produced a product using the 4004. Intel followed a clever marketing plan to encourage the development of applications for the 4004 chip, leading to its widespread use within months.

Development in the Invention of Microprocessor

The 4004 was later followed in 1972 by the 8008, The World's First 8-bit Microprocessor. The First Multi-Chip 16-bit microprocessor was the National Semiconductor IMP-16, introduced in early 1973.

In 1976, the First Single-Chip 16-bit microprocessor TI's - TMS 9900 was made. It was compatible with their TI-990 line of minicomputers. The 9900 was used in the TI 990/4 minicomputer, the TI-99/4A home computer, and the TM990 line of OEM microcomputer boards.

In 1984, the Western Design Center, Inc. (WDC) introduced the CMOS 65816, 16-bit upgrade of the WDC CMOS 65C02. The numericals 816 signified that it could work in both 8 and 16 bit modes. The 65816 - 16-bit microprocessor was the core of the Apple IIgs and later the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, making it one of the most popular 16-bit designs of all time.

The World's First Single-Chip Fully-32-bit microprocessor, with 32-bit data paths, 32-bit buses, and 32-bit addresses, was the AT&T Bell Labs BELLMAC-32A. These were later Renamed - WE 32000. It was used in the 3B2, the World's First Desktop Supermicrocomputer, in the "Companion", the World's First 32-Bit Laptop Computer and in "Alexander", The World's First Book-Sized Supermicrocomputer, featuring ROM-pack memory cartridges similar to today's gaming consoles. From 1985 to 2003, the 32-bit x86 architectures became increasingly dominant in desktop, laptop, and server markets, and these microprocessors became faster and more capable.

The 64-bit desktop era began in September 2003, when AMD introduced a 64-bit architecture backwards-compatible with x86, x86-64 (now called AMD64). To improve a computer's performance, extra Processors in single chip were added. In 2005, the First Personal Computer Dual-Core Processors were announced and as of 2009 Dual-Core and Quad-Core Processors are widely used in servers, workstations and PCs while six and eight-core processors will be available for high-end applications in both the home and professional environments.

Role of Microprocessor in the Improvement of Human Life

• Their development in the late 1970s enabled computer engineers to develop microcomputers. Microprocessors led to "intelligent" terminals, such as bank ATMs and point-of-sale devices, and to automatic control of much industrial instrumentation and hospital equipment, programmable microwave ovens, and electronic games. Many automobiles use microprocessor-controlled ignition and fuel systems.

• Today's 64-bit microprocessors are still based on similar designs, and the microprocessor is still the most complex mass-produced product ever with more than 5.5 million transistors performing hundreds of millions of calculations each second - numbers that are sure to be outdated fast.