# Intel 80286

> microprocessor model

**Wikidata**: [Q622888](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q622888)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80286)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-80286

## Summary
The Intel 80286 is a 16-bit microprocessor introduced by Intel in 1982 as an enhanced successor to the 8086. It added protected mode and virtual memory capabilities, enabling more advanced operating systems and multitasking.

## Key Facts
- Introduced in February 1982 by Intel
- 16-bit central processing unit with 24-bit addressing
- Clock frequencies ranged from 6 MHz to 25 MHz
- Fabricated using 1.5 µm lithography process
- Discontinued in 1991
- Part of the Intel microprocessor family
- Developed by Intel, an American multinational technology company founded in 1968
- Also manufactured by IBM, AMD, Harris Corporation, Intersil, Siemens, and Fujitsu
- Followed by the Intel 80386 in 1985

## FAQs
### Q: What made the Intel 80286 different from the 8086?
A: The 80286 added protected mode and virtual memory capabilities, allowing for more advanced operating systems and multitasking compared to the 8086's real mode only.

### Q: When was the Intel 80286 released?
A: The Intel 80286 was introduced in February 1982.

### Q: What was the maximum clock speed of the Intel 80286?
A: The maximum clock speed of the Intel 80286 was 25 MHz.

## Why It Matters
The Intel 80286 represented a significant leap in microprocessor technology, bridging the gap between simple 8-bit processors and the more advanced 32-bit processors that would follow. Its introduction of protected mode and virtual memory capabilities enabled the development of more sophisticated operating systems like Microsoft Windows and OS/2, which could support multitasking and better memory management. This processor played a crucial role in the evolution of personal computing, allowing computers to handle more complex tasks and run multiple applications simultaneously. The 80286's architecture influenced subsequent processor designs and helped establish Intel's dominance in the microprocessor market. Its impact extended beyond personal computers to industrial control systems and other embedded applications, making it a versatile and influential component in the computing landscape of the 1980s.

## Notable For
- First Intel processor to support protected mode and virtual memory
- Enabled the development of advanced operating systems like Windows and OS/2
- Served as the CPU for IBM's PC/AT, a significant advancement in personal computing
- Introduced 24-bit addressing, allowing access to up to 16 MB of memory
- Last 16-bit processor in Intel's mainstream line before the 32-bit 80386

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Intel 80286 featured a 16-bit data bus and 24-bit address bus, allowing it to access up to 16 MB of memory. It contained approximately 134,000 transistors and was built using a 1.5 µm process. The processor supported both real mode (for backward compatibility with 8086 software) and protected mode (for advanced memory management and multitasking).

### Performance and Capabilities
Clock speeds for the 80286 ranged from 6 MHz to 25 MHz, with the higher-end versions offering significantly improved performance over its predecessor. The addition of protected mode allowed for memory protection between tasks, enabling more stable multitasking operating systems. The processor also introduced support for virtual memory, allowing systems to use disk space as an extension of physical RAM.

### Market Impact and Applications
The 80286 found widespread use in personal computers, particularly in IBM's PC/AT, which became a standard for business computing. It was also used in various industrial control systems, workstations, and other applications requiring more processing power than the 8086 could provide. The processor's capabilities made it suitable for running early versions of graphical user interface operating systems and complex business applications.

### Legacy and Successors
The Intel 80286's architecture laid the groundwork for future processor developments, particularly in its approach to memory management and protected mode operation. It was succeeded by the Intel 80386 in 1985, which further extended these capabilities with 32-bit processing and more advanced memory management features. The concepts introduced in the 80286 continued to influence processor design for years to come.

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## References

1. [Source](https://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/quickreffam.htm#i486)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.cpushack.com/life-cycle-of-cpu.html)
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File