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Difference between revisions of "4-bit architecture"

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{{Architecture sizes}}
 
{{Architecture sizes}}
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The '''4-bit [[Computer architecture|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.
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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 ==
 
== Industry ==

Revision as of 00:00, 17 January 2016

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

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 has 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-, 12- architectures. Some 4-bit chips are still made to date such as the Epson's S1C60 and S1C63 MCU 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.

Applications

Most 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.

4-bit microprocessors

4-bit microcontrollers

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