Introduction:
The microprocessor stands out as one of the most significant achievements in engineering history.
Due to the absence of a universally accepted definition, numerous claims about its inventor have emerged.
Originally, the term “microprocessor” referred to a computer utilizing microprogrammed architecture, a concept pioneered by Maurice Wilkes in 1951.
In 1968, Viatron Computer Systems applied the term to their compact System 21 machines designed for small businesses.
In contemporary times, it is an abbreviation for micro-processing unit (MPU), denoting the silicon component within a computer responsible for executing all fundamental logical operations of a computing system.
Media often portrays it as a “computer-on-a-chip.”
So, who really invented the microprocessor? Well, it’s not just one person. It’s like a team of heroes working together.
The story of the microprocessor is a mix of clever ideas, teamwork, competition, and challenges.
Let’s find out.
What is a Microprocessor?
Think of a microprocessor like the conductor of an orchestra. Imagine the orchestra is made up of many different instruments, like violins, trumpets, and drums.
The conductor’s job is to lead and guide all the musicians, telling them when to play, how fast, and how loud.
In the same way, a microprocessor directs all the different parts inside your computer or phone. It tells them when to work, how quickly to process information, and how to interact with each other.
Just like the conductor brings harmony to the orchestra, the microprocessor brings harmony to your device, making sure everything works together smoothly.
A regular computer has three main parts that do different jobs. One part is the central processing unit (CPU) that does math and control tasks.
Then there’s a storage part where programs and data are kept. Lastly, there are units for connecting to things outside the computer, like screens, printers, and more.
These units are like messengers that help the computer talk to the outside world.
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Bipolar to MOS transistors
In 1947, an important invention called transistors came into being. These devices act like switches and amplifiers in various electronics, ranging from small radios to huge supercomputers.
The earliest ones were known as bipolar transistors, which are still used today.
By the 1960s, engineers had learned to put several of these bipolar transistors together on a single integrated circuit.
However, these transistors were quite complex, so each circuit could only have a small number of them.
This meant that even though minicomputers made from these circuits were smaller than older computers, they still needed lots of boards filled with many chips.
Around 1960, a different kind of transistor called the metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor was demonstrated.
At first, this new type of technology didn’t seem very promising. These transistors were slower, less reliable, and more costly than the bipolar ones. \
Slower, but dense is good for consumer electronics
But by 1964, integrated circuits using MOS transistors were becoming better. They could fit more things in a small space and were cheaper to make compared to the bipolar ones.
Integrated circuits continued to become more complex, following Moore’s Law, and MOS technology started leading the way.
By the late 1960s, a tiny chip made of MOS transistors could have more than 100 logic gates, which are like switches, and each of these gates had multiple transistors inside.
This chip was really useful for building computers and was called LSI, which stands for large-scale integration.
People realized that, with time, they could fit a whole computer processor on just one chip because MOS transistors could be packed closely. However, these MOS chips were a bit slower compared to other types.
So, they were great for making computers that didn’t need super high performance or ones that needed to be small and light..
That’s why these chips were used for things like calculators, data terminals, and even devices in airplanes. This was the start of the microprocessor revolution.
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Calculators opened the door for Microprocessors
Designers of small digital products like calculators and watches used special chips called custom LSI chips to make their gadgets smaller.
In 1965, a company called Victor Comptometer worked with General Microelectronics Inc. to design 23 of these custom chips for their new calculator.
By 1969, Rockwell Microelectronics had made things even simpler by reducing the number of chips to four for a portable calculator made by Sharp. In 1971, companies like Mostek and TI came up with even smarter chips that fit everything on just one chip.
Around the early 1970s, small computer systems based on these tiny LSI chips started appearing. They were called microcomputers. The people making these machines used the same ideas as calculator makers to reduce the number of chips needed for the computer’s brain, or CPU.
They made chips that combined many functions. These special chips were called microcomputer chipsets.
With each step of Moore’s Law, which talks about how technology gets better, the number of chips needed for the CPU became fewer. Eventually, all these efforts led to the single-chip wonder we now call the microprocessor.
The client demand
Around the late 1960s, a Japanese company named Busicom teamed up with Intel to create special chips for their calculators.
In 1971, Intel introduced its first microprocessor project, the MCS-4 Micro Computer Set. This project was initially aimed at creating efficient calculator chips.
The team behind it included Federico Faggin, Marcian (Ted) Hoff, Stanley Mazor, and Masatoshi Shima.
They designed the set, including the centerpiece known as the 4004, a 4-bit microprogrammable CPU. Later, it was renamed as a “single chip 4-bit microprocessor.”
Using a new silicon-gate MOS technology, Faggin and Shima managed to fit a remarkable 2,300 transistors onto the 4004 CPU chip.
This was a big step forward in chip complexity and efficiency. It brought together essential parts of a processor, like the program counter, instruction control, ALU (math unit), data registers, and data path, all onto one chip.
The 4004’s programmable nature made it useful not only for calculators but also for things like peripherals, terminals, controllers, and testing systems. Even though the sales of the chip set weren’t massive, this project marked a successful start for Intel in a new business opportunity.
Race to Victory
Many historians who delve into the complex beginnings of the microprocessor agree that it was a concept whose moment had arrived.
In the 1960s, various semiconductor companies added more and more transistors that could be put onto a single silicon chip. This aligns with the efforts of computer designers, both funded by governments and businesses, who wanted to use fewer chips in their systems.
It was clear and unavoidable that the main tasks of a CPU would end up on a single chip. This outcome was just waiting to happen
Here’s a more detailed overview of what happened to these competitors in the microprocessor race:
Texas Instruments (TI):
Texas Instruments was a significant player in the microprocessor race. They introduced the TMS 1802 calculator-on-a-chip, which was operational in a short time.
They followed this success with their 0100 line of microprocessors, which saw applications in various devices. TI’s microprocessors gained recognition for their reliability and versatility. While TI continued to develop microprocessors, they gradually shifted their focus to other areas such as digital signal processors (DSPs) and microcontrollers.
Mostek:
Mostek made a mark with the introduction of the MK6010, a calculator-on-a-chip solution. Their contributions to microprocessor development were notable, and they continued to create advancements in integrated circuits.
However, Mostek faced financial challenges and eventually filed for bankruptcy in the 1980s.Other companies acquired their assets, signaling the conclusion of their direct presence in the microprocessor market.
Pico Electronics: Pico Electronics entered the race with the G250 calculator-on-a-chip. While they made strides in calculator technology, Pico Electronics did not emerge as a dominant player in the broader microprocessor market.
Over time, their focus shifted to other areas, and they are less well-known in the context of microprocessor development.
Rockwell Microelectronics: Rockwell Microelectronics played a significant role in reducing the number of chips needed for calculators.
They were successful in simplifying calculator designs by integrating more functions onto fewer chips. However, their involvement in the microprocessor field was not as prominent as some other companies.
Other companies gradually incorporated Rockwell Microelectronics’ contributions to microprocessor technology as they absorbed the company into their operations over time..
These companies, along with Intel, were key players in shaping the microprocessor landscape. While some shifted their focus or faced challenges, their contributions were crucial in driving innovation, fostering competition, and ultimately propelling the development of microprocessors that have become integral to modern computing.
The dominant theme in the development of the microprocessor is the corporate commitment made by Intel in the 1972–75 period…. Their innovations in design, software and marketing made possible this industry, or at least hurried it along
~Gary Boone, Texas instruments working parallel on TMC 1795, a competitor to 4004.
Conclusion:
From calculators to peripherals, terminals to controllers, the microprocessor revolutionized technology, enabling devices to perform complex tasks and communicate with the world.
As the microprocessor story continues to unfold, it’s a testament to human innovation and collaboration, a journey that reminds us of the boundless potential of technology to reshape our lives.
In a world where these tiny chips power everything from our phones to our cars, we stand on the shoulders of those who paved the way for the digital age.
The microprocessor’s evolution continues, and as we navigate this ever-changing landscape, let’s remember the pioneers, the revolutions, and the ongoing quest for smarter, more powerful computing solutions.
