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Most of the first [[microprocessor]]s during the early 1970s had 4-bit [[word]] sizes. Both the Intel {{intel|4004}}, the first commercial microprocessor, and the {{intel|4040}} had a 4-bit word length, but had {{arch|8}} instructions. Some of the first [[microcontroller]]s such as the {{ti|TMS1000}} made by [[Texas Instruments]] and NEC's {{nec|μPD751}} also had 4-bit words. 4-bit word were proven to be very limiting and by 1974 there was a shift to larger architectures such as {{arch|8|8-}} and {{arch|12|12-}} bit architectures.
 
Most of the first [[microprocessor]]s during the early 1970s had 4-bit [[word]] sizes. Both the Intel {{intel|4004}}, the first commercial microprocessor, and the {{intel|4040}} had a 4-bit word length, but had {{arch|8}} instructions. Some of the first [[microcontroller]]s such as the {{ti|TMS1000}} made by [[Texas Instruments]] and NEC's {{nec|μPD751}} also had 4-bit words. 4-bit word were proven to be very limiting and by 1974 there was a shift to larger architectures such as {{arch|8|8-}} and {{arch|12|12-}} bit architectures.
  
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In the [[microcontroller]] domain, the story is a little different. 4-bit microcontrollers found their way into many battery-powered and low power instruments and devices.  Some 4-bit chips such as the {{atmel|MARC4|Atmel MARC4}} continued to be manufactured until very recently (2010s), those devices aimed directly at wireless devices such as RFID-related applications. Other 4-bit MCUs are still made to date such as the [[Epson]]'s {{epson|S1C60}} and {{epson|S1C63}} MCU [[microprocessor family|families]]. Modern 4-bit microprocessors, however, are much different to the first generation microprocessors of the 1970s - in terms of architecture, performance, and overall capabilities.
+
In the [[microcontroller]] domain, the story is a little different. 4-bit microcontrollers found their way into many battery-powered and low power instruments and devices.  Some 4-bit chips such as the {{atmel|MARC4|Atmel MARC4}} continued to be manufactured until very recently (2010s), those devices aimed directly at wireless devices such as RFID-related applications. Other 4-bit MCUs are still made to date such as the [[Epson]]'s {{epson|S1C60}} and {{epson|S1C63}} MCU [[microprocessor family|families]]. Modern 4-bit microprocessors, however, are much different from the first generation microprocessors of the 1970s - in terms of architecture, performance, and overall capabilities.
  
 
== Applications ==
 
== Applications ==

Latest revision as of 09:37, 12 December 2020

Architecture word sizes
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The 4-bit architecture is a microprocessor or computer architecture that has a datapath width or a highest operand width of 4 bits or a nibble. These architectures typically have a matching register file with registers width of 4 bits and 4-8-bit wide addresses.

Industry[edit]

Most of the first microprocessors during the early 1970s had 4-bit word sizes. Both the Intel 4004, the first commercial microprocessor, and the 4040 had a 4-bit word length, but had 8-bit instructions. Some of the first microcontrollers such as the TMS1000 made by Texas Instruments and NEC's μPD751 also had 4-bit words. 4-bit word were proven to be very limiting and by 1974 there was a shift to larger architectures such as 8- and 12- bit architectures.

In the microcontroller domain, the story is a little different. 4-bit microcontrollers found their way into many battery-powered and low power instruments and devices. Some 4-bit chips such as the Atmel MARC4 continued to be manufactured until very recently (2010s), those devices aimed directly at wireless devices such as RFID-related applications. Other 4-bit MCUs are still made to date such as the Epson's S1C60 and S1C63 MCU families. Modern 4-bit microprocessors, however, are much different from the first generation microprocessors of the 1970s - in terms of architecture, performance, and overall capabilities.

Applications[edit]

Most of the early 4-bit microprocessors were used almost exclusively in calculators and toys, later on for various utilities, video games, controllers, and early computers. 4 bits was a logical choice for many calculators that used BDC numbers representation.

Today, 4-bit chips such as S1C60 family are still manufactured are used in many low-power devices, wireless tools, and internet of things. Until recently Atmel's MARC4 was also a large player in the low-power RF/IR wireless market.

4-bit microprocessors[edit]

4-bit microcontrollers[edit]

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