# Intel 80187

> floating-point unit for the Intel 80186 series of microprocessors

**Wikidata**: [Q55695928](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55695928)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80187)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-80187

## Summary
The Intel 80187 is a floating-point unit (FPU) designed as a coprocessor for the Intel 80186 series of microprocessors. It was manufactured by Intel and supports the x87 instruction set, enabling efficient floating-point arithmetic operations.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Floating-point unit (FPU)
- **Manufacturer**: Intel
- **Instruction set**: x87
- **Related to**: Intel 80186 microprocessor series
- **Aliases**: 80C187
- **Wikipedia availability**: English (en), Chinese (zh)
- **Image available**: [KL_Intel_80C187.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/KL_Intel_80C187.jpg)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Intel 80187 used for?
A: The Intel 80187 is a floating-point unit (FPU) designed to enhance the Intel 80186 microprocessor by handling complex mathematical calculations, particularly floating-point arithmetic, more efficiently.

### Q: Who manufactured the Intel 80187?
A: The Intel 80187 was manufactured by Intel, a leading American technology company specializing in semiconductor design and manufacturing.

### Q: What instruction set does the Intel 80187 support?
A: The Intel 80187 supports the x87 instruction set, which is a standard set of instructions for performing floating-point operations in x86-based processors.

### Q: Is the Intel 80187 compatible with other Intel processors?
A: The Intel 80187 was specifically designed as a coprocessor for the Intel 80186 series, so it is primarily compatible with that microprocessor family.

### Q: Are there other names for the Intel 80187?
A: Yes, the Intel 80187 is also referred to by the alias "80C187."

## Why It Matters
The Intel 80187 played a crucial role in the early days of personal computing by providing enhanced floating-point arithmetic capabilities for the Intel 80186 microprocessor. As a dedicated floating-point unit, it allowed systems to perform complex mathematical operations more efficiently, which was particularly important for scientific and engineering applications. By offloading floating-point calculations from the main processor, the 80187 helped improve overall system performance and enabled more sophisticated software development. Its compatibility with the x87 instruction set ensured seamless integration with existing software, making it a valuable component in early PC architectures. The 80187’s design also influenced later generations of coprocessors and FPUs, setting a foundation for advanced numerical processing in computing systems.

## Notable For
- **Dedicated FPU**: The Intel 80187 was one of the first dedicated floating-point units designed to work in conjunction with the Intel 80186 microprocessor.
- **x87 Support**: It implemented the x87 instruction set, which became a standard for floating-point operations in x86 architecture.
- **Performance Boost**: By handling floating-point arithmetic separately, the 80187 improved the overall efficiency of systems using the Intel 80186.
- **Compatibility**: It was specifically engineered to work with the Intel 80186 series, ensuring seamless integration into existing systems.
- **Alias Recognition**: It is also known by the alias "80C187," which may be used in technical documentation or historical references.

## Body
### Overview
The Intel 80187 is a floating-point unit (FPU) designed as a coprocessor for the Intel 80186 microprocessor series. It was manufactured by Intel and supports the x87 instruction set, which is a standard for floating-point operations in x86 architecture.

### Technical Specifications
- **Manufacturer**: Intel
- **Instruction Set**: x87
- **Compatibility**: Primarily designed for the Intel 80186 series
- **Aliases**: 80C187

### Historical Context
- The Intel 80187 was developed to enhance the capabilities of the Intel 80186 microprocessor by providing dedicated support for floating-point arithmetic.
- It played a significant role in early personal computing by enabling more efficient mathematical calculations.

### Significance
- The 80187 contributed to the performance and functionality of systems using the Intel 80186, particularly in scientific and engineering applications.
- Its design influenced later generations of coprocessors and FPUs, establishing a foundation for advanced numerical processing in computing.

### Availability
- The Intel 80187 is documented in English and Chinese Wikipedia articles.
- An image of the 80187 is available for reference.