# Am286

> microprocessor model

**Wikidata**: [Q294818](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q294818)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am286)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/am286

## Summary
The Am286 is a microprocessor model developed by AMD as a clone of Intel's 80286 CPU. It was part of AMD's line of x86-compatible processors and served as a successor to the Am8086, preceding the Am386 in AMD's product lineup.

## Key Facts
- Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
- Based on: Intel 80286 architecture
- Release date: 1982
- Discontinued: 1991
- Clock speed range: 5 MHz to 25 MHz
- Fabrication process: 1.5 µm lithography
- Part of: AMD microprocessor family
- Predecessor: Am8086 (AMD's version of Intel 8086)
- Successor: Am386

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Am286?
A: The Am286 is an AMD-manufactured microprocessor that clones Intel's 80286 CPU architecture, operating at speeds between 5 and 25 MHz.

### Q: When was the Am286 released?
A: The Am286 was released in 1982 as part of AMD's line of x86-compatible processors.

### Q: What replaced the Am286?
A: The Am286 was succeeded by the Am386 in AMD's product lineup, with the Am286 being discontinued in 1991.

## Why It Matters
The Am286 represents an important chapter in the history of processor competition and the x86 architecture's dominance in personal computing. As a licensed clone of Intel's 80286, it allowed AMD to enter the growing PC market while providing customers with an alternative source for this crucial CPU technology. The Am286 helped establish AMD as a serious competitor to Intel in the processor market, a rivalry that would continue for decades and ultimately drive innovation in CPU performance and efficiency. Its development also highlighted the complex relationships between semiconductor companies during the early days of the PC revolution, where cross-licensing agreements enabled multiple manufacturers to produce compatible components for the emerging personal computer ecosystem.

## Notable For
- Being AMD's implementation of Intel's 80286 architecture
- Operating at speeds up to 25 MHz, competitive with contemporaneous Intel offerings
- Using 1.5 µm fabrication technology for its time
- Serving as a bridge between AMD's 8086-based products and the 386 generation
- Contributing to AMD's establishment as a major x86 processor manufacturer

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Am286 implemented the same 16-bit architecture as Intel's 80286, featuring protected mode operation and a 24-bit address bus capable of addressing up to 16 MB of memory. The processor operated at clock speeds ranging from 5 MHz to 25 MHz, with the exact speed depending on the specific model and intended application.

### Manufacturing and Design
Built using 1.5 µm lithography process technology, the Am286 represented the state-of-the-art in semiconductor manufacturing for its time. AMD's implementation maintained full software compatibility with Intel's 80286 while potentially offering different performance characteristics or pricing advantages.

### Market Position
As part of AMD's microprocessor lineup, the Am286 occupied the mid-range segment of the 286 market, positioned between the earlier Am8086 and the later Am386. This product strategy allowed AMD to offer a complete family of x86-compatible processors to system builders and manufacturers.

### Legacy
The Am286's development and success contributed to AMD's long-term strategy of providing alternative sources for Intel-compatible processors. This approach would become increasingly important as the PC market grew and customers sought multiple suppliers for critical components.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://www.cpushack.com/life-cycle-of-cpu.html)