The invention of the transistor in 1947 was a significant development in the world of technology. It could perform the function of a large component used in a computer in the early years. Shockley, Brattain, and Bardeen are credited with this invention and were awarded the Nobel prize for the same. Soon, it was found that the function this large component was easily performed by a group of transistors arranged on a single platform. This platform, known as the integrated chip (IC), turned out to be a very crucial achievement and brought along a revolution in the use of computers. A person named Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments was honored with the Nobel Prize for the invention of IC, which laid the foundation on which microprocessors were developed. At the same time, Robert Noyce of Fairchild made a parallel development in IC technology for which he was awarded the patent.
The First Stage
The invention of the transistor in 1947 was a significant
development in the world of technology. It could perform the function of
a large component used in a computer in the early years. Shockley,
Brattain, and Bardeen are credited with this invention and were awarded
the Nobel prize for the same. Soon, it was found that the
function this large component was easily performed by a group of
transistors arranged on a single platform. This platform, known as the
integrated chip (IC), turned out to be a very crucial achievement and
brought along a revolution in the use of computers. A person
named Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments was honored with the Nobel Prize
for the invention of IC, which laid the foundation on which
microprocessors were developed. At the same time, Robert Noyce of
Fairchild made a parallel development in IC technology for which he was
awarded the patent.
The Second Stage
ICs proved beyond doubt that complex functions could be integrated
on a single chip with a highly developed speed and storage capacity.
Both, Fairchild and Texas Instruments, began the manufacture of
commercial ICs in 1961.
ICs proved beyond doubt that complex functions could be integrated
on a single chip with a highly developed speed and storage capacity.
Both, Fairchild and Texas Instruments, began the manufacture of
commercial ICs in 1961.
Later,
complex developments in the IC led
to the addition of more complex functions on a single chip. The stage
was set for a single controlling circuit for all the computer functions.
Finally, Intel corporation's Ted Hoff and Frederico Fagin were credited
with the design of the first microprocessor.
The Third Stage
Further Developments
▪ The next processor in line was Intel's 8080 with an 8-bit data
bus and a 16-bit address bus. This was amongst the most popular
microprocessors of all time.
▪ Very soon, the Motorola corporation developed its own 6800 in competition with the Intel's 8080.
▪ Fagin left Intel and formed his own firm Zilog. It launched a new microprocessor Z80 in 1980 that was far superior to the previous two versions.
▪ Similarly, a break off from Motorola prompted the design of 6502, a derivative of the 6800. Such attempts continued with some modifications in the base structure.
▪ The use of microprocessors was limited to task-based operations specifically required for company projects such as the automobile sector. The concept of a 'personal computer' was still a distant dream for the world, and microprocessors were yet to come into personal use.
▪ The-16 bit microprocessors started becoming a commercial sell-out in the 1980s with the first popular one being the TMS9900 of Texas Instruments.
▪ Intel developed the 8086, which still serves as the base model for all latest advancements in the microprocessor family. It was largely a complete processor integrating all the required features in it.
68000 by Motorola was one of the first microprocessors to develop the concept of microcoding in its instruction set. They were further developed to 32-bit architectures.
▪ Similarly, many players like Zilog, IBM, and Apple were successful in getting their own products in the market. However, Intel had a commanding position in the market right through the microprocessor era.
▪ The 1990s saw a large-scale application of microprocessors in the personal computer applications developed by the newly formed Apple, IBM, and Microsoft Corporation. It witnessed a revolution in the use of computers, which by then, were a household entity.
▪ This growth was complemented by a highly sophisticated development in the commercial use of microprocessors. In 1993, Intel brought out its 'Pentium Processor' which is one of the most popular processors in use till date.
▪ It was followed by a series of excellent processors of the Pentium family, leading into the 21st century. The latest one in commercial use is the Pentium Quad Core technology.
▪ They have opened up a whole new world of diverse applications. Supercomputers have become common, owing to this amazing development in microprocessors.
Certainly, these little chips will go down as history, but will continue to rein in the future as an ingenious creation of the human mind.
▪ Very soon, the Motorola corporation developed its own 6800 in competition with the Intel's 8080.
▪ Fagin left Intel and formed his own firm Zilog. It launched a new microprocessor Z80 in 1980 that was far superior to the previous two versions.
▪ Similarly, a break off from Motorola prompted the design of 6502, a derivative of the 6800. Such attempts continued with some modifications in the base structure.
▪ The use of microprocessors was limited to task-based operations specifically required for company projects such as the automobile sector. The concept of a 'personal computer' was still a distant dream for the world, and microprocessors were yet to come into personal use.
▪ The-16 bit microprocessors started becoming a commercial sell-out in the 1980s with the first popular one being the TMS9900 of Texas Instruments.
▪ Intel developed the 8086, which still serves as the base model for all latest advancements in the microprocessor family. It was largely a complete processor integrating all the required features in it.
68000 by Motorola was one of the first microprocessors to develop the concept of microcoding in its instruction set. They were further developed to 32-bit architectures.
▪ Similarly, many players like Zilog, IBM, and Apple were successful in getting their own products in the market. However, Intel had a commanding position in the market right through the microprocessor era.
▪ The 1990s saw a large-scale application of microprocessors in the personal computer applications developed by the newly formed Apple, IBM, and Microsoft Corporation. It witnessed a revolution in the use of computers, which by then, were a household entity.
▪ This growth was complemented by a highly sophisticated development in the commercial use of microprocessors. In 1993, Intel brought out its 'Pentium Processor' which is one of the most popular processors in use till date.
▪ It was followed by a series of excellent processors of the Pentium family, leading into the 21st century. The latest one in commercial use is the Pentium Quad Core technology.
▪ They have opened up a whole new world of diverse applications. Supercomputers have become common, owing to this amazing development in microprocessors.
Certainly, these little chips will go down as history, but will continue to rein in the future as an ingenious creation of the human mind.
What is the importance and how do microprocessors change the living of people nowadays compared to the people living before it has been invented?
ReplyDeleteHi Maria Mercedes! A device that uses a microprocessor is normally capable of many functions, such as word processing, calculation, and communication via Internet or telephone. However, for the device to work properly, the microprocessor itself has to communicate with other parts of the device.
DeleteMicroprocessors take over instructions that were previously performed by mechanical methods. They are a way of making the machine ‘intelligent’. Rather than performing a simple mechanical function, the machine can regulate the function so that it performs it to precise specifications.