The 4-bit architecture is a microprocessor 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

Most of the first microprocessors during the early 1970s had 4-bit word length. Both the Intel 4004 and the 4040 were 4-bits. The world's first single-chip microprocessor by Texas Instruments, the TMS1000, was also a 4-bit CPU. 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 architecture architectures. Some 4-bit chips are still made to date such as the Epson S1C63 MCU.

Applications

Most 4-bit microprocessors were used almost exclusively in calculators and toys. 4 bits was a logical choice for many calculators that used BDC numbers representation. Today, 4-bit chips such as S1C63 are still manufactured are used in many low-power devices and wireless tools.

4-bit microprocessor

• AMD Am2900
• AMI 9209
• Fairchild 4700
• Fairchild 9400
• Fairchild PPS-25
• Hitachi HD35404
• HP Saturn (64-bit register, 4-bit data path)
• Intel 4004
• Intel 4040
• MMI 5700
• Motorola MC10800
• National IMP-4
• Rockwell PPS-4/1
• Rockwell PPS-4/2
• TMS1000
• Toshiba T3472

4-bit microcontrollers

• AMI S2000
• Epson S1C63
• Fujitsu MB8840
• Fujitsu MB8850/500
• Hitachi HD404729S
• Hitachi HMCS40
• ITT 7150
• National MAPS
• National MM5700
• National COPS I
• National COPS II
• NEC μCOM-4
• NEC μPD751
• NEC μPD707
• Matsushita MN1400
• Matsushita MN1500
• Mitsubishi MELPS 4
• MARC4
• OKI MSM6411
• Sanyo LM6402G
• Sanyo LC587004
• Sanyo LC587008
• Sanyo LC58E68
• Sharp SM552
• Toshiba TLCS-47
• WD CR1872