Revision as of 04:28, 25 March 2016

Intel MCS-8
CPU, 8008-1 higher speed variant
Developer	Intel
Manufacturer	Intel
Type	microprocessors
Production	1972-1983
Release date	April 1, 1972
Architecture	8-bit word, 14-bit addressing
ISA	8008
Word size	8 bit 1 octets 2 nibbles
Process	10 μm 10,000 nm 0.01 mm
Technology	pMOS
Clock	500 kHz-800 kHz
Package	DIP18

The MCS-8 (Micro Computer Set-8) was a family of 8-bit microprocessor chipsets developed by Intel. Introduced on April, 1972, the MCS-8 featured the 8008 CPU.

History

See also: TMX-1795

By mid 1969 Datapoint Corporation, then Computer Terminal Corporation (CTC), was looking to create a more powerful machine. Convinced this could be achieved by creating a more complex integrated circuit, CTC commissioned Intel. Texas Instruments was also brought in as a possible alternative. Intel had a working specs for the 8008 (also known as 1201) by January or February of 1970. The chip was planned to be center of CTC's Datapoint 2200. Later the same year, TI's own TMX1795 prototype which was based on Intel's own specs was send to CTC. CTC rejected it shortly after due to various design bugs. CTC eventually scrapped the 1201 idea entirely and went with a discrete TTL instead.

Following a slight redesign in 1971 with the help of Federico Faggin (the designer of the 4004), the modified chip was once again delivered to CTC. By that time CTC had moved on entirely onto the Datapoint 2200 II. The 1201 was no longer adequate for their product. CTC decided to abandon the 1201 idea, leaving the design's intellectual property to Intel. Intel renamed the 1201 8008 which end up being hugely successful.

Members

Architecture

This section is empty; you can help add the missing info by editing this page.

This article is still a stub and needs your attention. You can help improve this article by editing this page and adding the missing information.