Intel 4004 - The World's First Single Chip Microprocessor

In November, 1971, a company called 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. After the invention of integrated circuits revolutionized computer design, the only place to go was down -- in size that is. The Intel 4004 chip took the integrated circuit down one step further by placing all the parts that made a computer think (i.e. central processing unit, memory, input and output controls) on one small chip. Programming intelligence into inanimate objects had now become possible.

The Intel 4004 Microprocessor

The 4004 was the world's first universal microprocessor. In the late 1960s, many scientists had discussed the possibility of a computer on a chip, but nearly everyone felt that integrated circuit technology was not yet ready to support such a chip. Intel's Ted Hoff felt differently; he was the first person to recognize that the new silicon-gated MOS technology might make a single-chip CPU (central processing unit) possible.

Hoff and the Intel team developed such an architecture with just over 2,300 transistors in an area of only 3 by 4 millimetres. With its 4-bit CPU, command register, decoder, decoding control, control monitoring of machine commands and interim register, the 4004 was one heck of a little invention. 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than 5.5 million transistors performing hundreds of millions of calculations each second - numbers that are sure to be outdated fast.

Intel Celeron Processor 440

The Intel Celeron processor 440 balances proven technology with exceptional value for embedded computing designs such as print imaging, gaming, interactive clients, and industrial automation. Featuring Intel Intelligent Power Capability, it supports smaller, quieter, more energy-efficient embedded systems with improved performance over previous Intel Celeron processors.

Manufactured on 65nm process technology, the Intel Celeron processor 440 at 2.0 GHz offers 512 KB of L2 cache with a thermal design power (TDP) of 35 watts. Based on a new energy-efficient microarchitecture, this Celeron processor enables smaller and quieter embedded designs. It features Execute Disable Bit (for built-in security support) as well as Intel 64 architecture (Intel 64), enabling applications to access larger amounts of memory when used with appropriate 64-bit supporting hardware and software.

The Intel Celeron processor 440 is available in an LGA-775 package with integrated heat spreader. When combined with the Intel Q45 Express Chipset, Intel Q35 Express Chipset, Intel Q965 Express Chipset or Intel 3210 Chipset, the platform provides exceptional value with mid-range performance and reduced power.
Product information

Features and benefits

800 MHz front-side bus Provides accelerated access to data from the processor core.
Intel Wide Dynamic Execution Improves execution speed and efficiency, delivering more instructions per clock cycle.

Intel Smart Memory Access

Optimizes use of data bandwidth from the memory subsystem to accelerate out-of-order execution, keeping the pipeline full while improving instruction throughput and performance. Newly designed prediction mechanism reduces the time in-flight instructions must wait for data. Pre-fetch algorithms move data from system memory into fast L2 cache in advance of execution.

Intel Advanced Digital Media Boost

Accelerates execution of Streaming SIMD Extension (SSE/2/3) instructions to significantly improve media boost performance on a broad range of applications. 128-bit SSE instructions are issued at a throughput rate of one/clock cycle, effectively doubling speed of execution over previous-generation processors.
Execute Disable Bit° Enhances virus protection when deployed with supported operating system. Allows memory to be marked as executable or non-executable, allowing the processor to raise an error to the operating system, thereby preventing malicious code from infecting the system.

Intel 64 Architecture (Intel 64) Enables access to larger amounts of memory and provides flexibility for 32-bit and 64-bit applications. With appropriate supporting hardware and software, platforms supporting 64-bit computing can use extended virtual and physical memory.

Intel486 Processors

The Intel486 microprocessors have provided 32-bit high performance in increasingly complex application environments for personal computers and network servers. Now the same microprocessors are available for a range of embedded applications, such as terminals, embedded PC boards, industrial control systems, scanners, printers, medical equipment and entertainment systems. Current customers of the embedded Intel386 processor can now take advantage of the Intel486 architecture to extend the performance of their embedded designs.
The Intel® SL Technology, featured in the Intel486 processors, allows system designers to build intelligent power management capabilities into hardware, making these capabilities independent of application software. Power management becomes an integral part of the system, regardless of what operating system or application is used. Power management is improved because SL Technology protects the power management features from conflicting with other software.
Intel486 SX Embedded

Processor Overview

The embedded Intel486 SX processor provides high performance to 32-bit, embedded applications that do not required a floating-point unit. The embedded Intel486 SX processor is binary compatible with the Intel386 and earlier Intel processors. Compared with the Intel386 processor, it provides faster execution of many commonly used instructions. It also provides the benefits of an integrated 8-Kbyte, write-through cache for code and data. Its data bus can operate in burst mode, which provides up to 106Mbps transfers for cache-line fills and instructions prefetches. Two component packages are available: a 196-Lead Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP), and a 168-Pin Grid Array (PGA), both available for 5-volt designs. Both products operate at CLK frequencies up to 33MHz.
Ultra Low Power Intel486 SX and Intel486 GX Processor Family
The Ultra Low Power Intel486 SX processor was developed specifically for the embedded market. It brings high levels of performance to low-cost, entry-level, embedded applications, where maximum energy efficiency is a high concern. (Please see our datasheet for low power options). These low-power technology improvements allow for new packaging options for the Intel486 processor. The Ultra Low Power Intel486 SX processor comes in the 176 lead Thin Quad Flat Pack(TQFP) package. This is the smallest, lowest profile Intel486 processor in the world. At 25.4mm x 25.4mm x 1.5mm, the 176 lead TQFP package is the same size and thickness as the United States quarter (25 cent coin)!


IntelDX2 and IntelDX4 Processor Family

The IntelDX2 and IntelDX4 processors bring the highest level of performance in the Intel486 family, created by such combined features as speed-multiplying technology, on-chip integration of Level I unified code and data cache, memory management unit with paging, and floating-point unit. The clock-multiplier allows the processor to operate at frequencies higher than the external memory bus. The integer unit uses RISC design techniques to provide single-clock-cycle execution of common instructions and general purpose registers for manipulating 32-bit addresses and data. The 8K on-chip Write-Through unified cache on the speed-doubled IntelDX2 processor, and the 16K on-chip Write-Back Enhanced unified cache on the speed-tripled IntelDX4 processor maintains the one-clock-per-instruction execution rate. Intel 486 processors provide support for multiprocessing systems. Support for multi-level caches reduces bus utilization, allowing multiple Intel486 processors to share a single memory bus. For the highest level of performance, choose the IntelDX2 and IntelDX4 processors.

Intel386 Processors

The Intel386 DX, EX, and SX embedded processors are based on the Intel386 architecture. All have 32-bit cores, and enhanced functionality for the embedded processor market.

* The static Intel386 EX microprocessor is designed for embedded applications that require high integration and low power. Key features include: PC compatibility, power management, low-voltage operation, and on-chip integration of numerous common peripherals such as interrupt controllers, chip selects, counters and timers.

* The static Intel386 SX, also referred to as the 80386SSX or 80386SXTA microprocessor, microprocessor is a pin-for-pin replacement for the dynamic Intel386 SX processor. The static design features clock freeze mode, and higher speed operation.

* The dynamic Intel386 SX microprocessor is an entry-level processor with a 16-bit external data bus and a 24-bit external address bus. It provides the performance benefits of a 32-bit architecture with the cost savings of a 16-bit hardware system.

* The dynamic Intel386 DX microprocessor is designed for single-user, multi-tasking applications. The 32-bit registers and data paths support 32-bit addresses and data types. It addresses 4 gigabytes of physical memory, and 64 terabytes of virtual memory. It offers a 50% performance increase over the Intel386 EX and SX processors.


Embedded system designers have long understood the benefits of PC compatibility in their designs. The embedded Intel386 processors are compatible with DOS and standard graphical windowing operating environments, as well as many popular embedded real-time operating systems.

Applications based on an Intel386 microprocessor allow designers to embed popular versions of DOS and graphical windowing environments to implement an array of existing software applications within their systems.

The PC compatibility, enhanced functionality, and real-time software support make the Intel386 microprocessors a sound embedded solution. Reduced design complexity and decreased software development time are major advantages in today's embedded market segment.

Time-to-Market

The embedded Intel386 processors reduce time-to-market by shortening both software and hardware design cycles. The embedded Intel386 processors preserve investments with existing Intel architecture software. Because the embedded Intel386 CPUs are 100% binary compatible with the 186/188 CPU, upgrading to an Intel386 CPU preserves software investment, and speeds time-to-market.

The PC makes an excellent tool for debugging code before application hardware is available. Code can be written and debugged in parallel with hardware development. The ability to use a PC for software debugging, in addition to a wide selection of development tools, allows for quick and inexpensive software development.

Intel386 EX architecture designs provide ease of use. The high integration of the Intel386 EX chip provides many of the peripheral devices previously found with personal computers. To add further value to the system, the Intel386 EX processor implements embedded peripheral functions such as interrupt controllers, chip-select generation, 16-bit timers and counters, DRAM refresh, watchdog timer, serial ports, etc. The high integration of the Intel386 EX microprocessor significantly reduces system complexity and hardware design time.

Integration of the Intel386 EX processor can also provide a simplified, compact design to lessen your burden on support chips that may become hard to find.

Upgrade Choice for 186 Processor

Intel's 186 processor family has been designed in many embedded applications over the years. If a 186 embedded design requires either more addressibility or higher performance, the Intel386 EX processor is the upgrade choice. The EX provides 26 address bits for a total of 4 Gbytes. Also, given the same clock rate, the Intel386 EX processor performs up to three times the performance of a 186-base processor. Since the EX has an 80386 core, it is code compatible with 186 processors, making it a logical upgrade processor to run your existing software.

Additionally, software can be modified to take advantage of the 80386 features, including memory protection and multitasking. Memory protection can provide a safety net to software problems. This can become very important if your customer ever modifies the software run on your application.

Intel® 186 Processors

Intel modularized the core architecture of the Intel 186 in order to better provide expandable peripheral functionality. The 186 Ex family is based on an improved, static, 1 micron design. All of the enhanced products run at 25 MHz. In addition, the 80C186Ex/C188Ex processors have a common set of base peripherals beneficial to many embedded applications. The Ex processors all support a standard numeric interface, an interrupt control unit, a chip-select unit, a DRAM refresh control unit, a power management unit, and three 16-bit timer/counters.

The 186 Ex family was designed with a number of objectives, the most important being high integration, low power consumption and a small form factor. The first objective is met by offering different Ex family members with varied peripheral sets. The variety of peripheral combinations available allows a designer to choose a "best fit" for their application. The second objective, low power, is met by offering a fully static device that operates down to 2.9-3.0 volts. The final objective, small form factor, is addressed by the Shrink Quad Flat Pack (SQFP) package.

The idle mode allows the device to shut off the CPU clock, leaving all integrated peripherals active. Idle mode lowers processor current consumption by approximately 40 percent. Powerdown mode goes a step further, the clock input to the entire processor is disabled reducing device current consumption to transistor leakage (microamps).

Low voltage operation offers numerous benefits to the system designer such as decreased power consumption, less heat generation and less noise. The 13 MHz version of the 186 Ex processors are available in 3.3V versions which operate down to 2.9 volts. The 16 MHz versions as well operate at 3.3V down to 2.9 volts. The combination of power management functionality and optional low voltage operation make the 186 Ex family processors ideal for power sensitive applications.

The small form factor is a major benefit of the SQFP package. The small package allows high integration while using minimal area. Another benefit inherent in smaller packages is reduced noise. The device lead frame that carries signals from the die to the package pins is smaller in the SQFP than it is in packages like QFP or PLCC. The decreased lead frame size decreases noise amplitude on outputs. The decreased inductance resulting from the small package and the elimination of a device socket reduce output noise. Lastly, combining the SQFP package and integration of the 186 Ex processors with low voltage operation offers an ideal solution for portable, low power, battery operated applications.

From DRAM to microprocessors

In 1983, at the dawn of the personal computer era, Intel's profits came under increased pressure from Japanese memory-chip manufacturers, and then-President Andy Grove drove the company into a focus on microprocessors. Grove described this transition in the book Only the Paranoid Survive. A key element of his plan was the notion, then considered radical, of becoming the single source for successors to the popular 8086 microprocessor.

Until then, manufacture of complex integrated circuits was not reliable enough for customers to depend on a single supplier, but Grove began producing processors in three geographically distinct factories, and ceased licensing the chip designs to competitors such as Zilog and AMD. When the PC industry boomed in the late 1980s and 1990s, Intel was one of the primary beneficiaries.

Intel Pentium Processors with MMX Technology

From point-of-sale (POS) terminals and retail kiosks to advanced networking equipment, Pentium processors with MMX technology enable developers of embedded systems to step up to new levels of performance. To make these designs even easier and more flexible, Intel is making the performance advantages of MMX technology available at a choice of integration levels.

Related Platforms

Interactive Clients

The upgrade path for embedded Intel architecture includes longer life cycle support for the 200 MHz and 233 MHz Pentium processors with MMX technology.
Intel offers 166 MHz and 266 MHz Low-power Pentium processors with MMX technology. Both are available in thin HL-PBGA packaging, as well as PPGA packaging. The 166 MHz Pentium processor is also available in extended temperature range -40ºC to +115ºC.
Also, the Intel 430TX PCIset now supports synchronous DRAM [SDRAM] in embedded applications.

Product Highlights
166, 200, 233, 266 MHz
430TX PCIset
HL-PBGA, PPGA
Extended temp

New Design Options

Together the Pentium processor with MMX technology and the 430TX PCIset provides developers with flexible new options to create value-added embedded designs and upgrade existing products to new levels of performance. Regardless of which design path a developer may select, the Pentium processor with MMX technology offers performance enhancements that can be especially valuable in today's most competitive embedded application segments--including "intelligent" POS terminals, telecommunications equipment, networking devices and high-performance industrial computers.

Improve Processor Performance 10-20 Percent

Pentium processors with MMX technology can provide a 10 to 20 percent performance boost over classic Pentium processors at the same frequency. In addition, the MMX technology versions of the processor double on-chip code and data caches to 16 Kbytes and feature improved branch prediction, an enhanced pipeline and deeper write buffers for improved performance.

Advantages of Intel MMX Technology

MMX technology provides 57 new instruction sets to improve processor performance in traditional digital signal processor [DSP] applications, including the graphics, audio and voice processing capabilities now emerging as value-added features in high-performance embedded products. MMX technology can potentially eliminate the requirement for DSP chips in embedded applications such as video kiosks, telecommunications devices and POS terminals.

Intel Architecture Upgrade Path

"The Pentium processor with MMX technology offers developers the advantages of Intel's stable, long-term processor architecture, together with strong tools support, a robust development environment and a clearly defined upgrade path," notes Tom Franz, general manager of Intel's Embedded Microprocessor Division.

If the flexible motherboard guidelines for split voltages were followed on the original design, Pentium Processors with MMX technology offer pin-compatibility, and a high degree of code-compatibility, with the classic Pentium processors. These compatibility features offer developers a smooth extended upgrade path from existing Intel architecture designs, together with a way to quickly add higher performance with minimal development overhead.

430TX PCIset Adds New Performance

The Intel 430TX PCIset supports synchronous DRAM [SDRAM] in embedded applications. The chipset's Ultra DMA capability allows faster downloading of larger data files in applications such as POS and industrial computers along with Concurrent PCI for smoother video and audio performance.

The 430TX PCIset is also available in extended temperatures at -40°C to +85°C degrees ambient. The extended temperature Pentium processor with MMX technology, along with the extended temperature 430TX PCIset, enables an optimized solution for embedded applications.