# Intel 8080

> 8-bit microprocessor

**Wikidata**: [Q324610](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q324610)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_8080)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-8080

## Summary
The Intel 8080 is an 8-bit microprocessor introduced by Intel in April 1974. It was a significant advancement in microprocessor technology and became the foundation for many early personal computers and embedded systems.

## Key Facts
- Introduced in April 1974 by Intel
- 8-bit microprocessor architecture
- Clock frequency ranges from 2 MHz minimum to 3.125 MHz maximum
- Manufactured using 6 µm lithography process
- Discontinued in 1990 after a 16-year production run
- Part of the Intel microprocessor family
- Little endian architecture
- Has 8 processor registers, each 8 bits in size
- Includes a 16-bit stack register and 16-bit program counter
- Derivative versions include KR580VM80A (Soviet) and AMD Am9080

### Q: What is the Intel 8080?
A: The Intel 8080 is an 8-bit microprocessor introduced by Intel in April 1974, featuring a clock speed of 2-3.125 MHz and manufactured using 6 µm lithography.

### Q: What operating systems ran on the Intel 8080?
A: The Intel 8080 ran operating systems including CP/M, MP/M (multi-user CP/M), MicroDOS (Soviet derivative of CP/M), and Fuzix OS.

### Q: What came before and after the Intel 8080?
A: The Intel 8080 was preceded by the Intel 8008 and followed by the Intel 8085, Intel 8086, and Intel 8088.

## Why It Matters
The Intel 8080 represents a pivotal moment in computing history as one of the first truly successful general-purpose microprocessors. It enabled the development of early personal computers like the Altair 8800 and established the foundation for the x86 architecture that would dominate personal computing for decades. The 8080's design influenced countless subsequent processors and helped democratize computing by making powerful processing capabilities available in smaller, more affordable packages. Its success also helped establish Intel as a dominant force in the semiconductor industry and demonstrated the commercial viability of microprocessors for a wide range of applications beyond simple calculators and controllers.

## Notable For
- First widely successful 8-bit microprocessor that enabled personal computer revolution
- Served as the CPU for the Altair 8800, considered the first personal computer
- Architecture influenced the design of the Zilog Z80 and subsequent x86 processors
- 16-year production run (1974-1990) demonstrating its reliability and market acceptance
- Basis for Soviet 580 series and other international derivative designs

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Intel 8080 operates as an 8-bit processor with a 16-bit address bus, allowing it to address up to 64 KB of memory. It features an accumulator-based architecture with six general-purpose registers (B, C, D, E, H, L) that can be used individually or as three 16-bit register pairs. The processor includes specialized registers for stack operations and program counting, both 16 bits in size.

### Architecture and Design
The 8080 uses a little-endian format for multi-byte data storage. It supports 244 different instructions and can directly address 256 I/O ports. The processor requires a single +5V power supply and typically dissipates around 2 watts of power. Its instruction set includes operations for arithmetic, logic, data transfer, branching, and stack manipulation.

### Applications and Impact
The Intel 8080 found use in a wide variety of applications including early personal computers, industrial controllers, medical equipment, and telecommunications devices. Its success led to the development of the 8080A, a slightly improved version with better noise immunity and higher clock speeds. The processor's design philosophy influenced the development of the Intel 8085 and the entire x86 family of processors.

### Derivatives and Clones
The 8080's architecture proved so successful that it spawned numerous derivatives and clones. The Zilog Z80, introduced in 1976, offered backward compatibility while adding new instructions and registers. The Soviet Union produced the KR580VM80A and the 580 series of integrated circuits based on the 8080 design. AMD created the Am9080 as a second-source alternative.

### Legacy
The Intel 8080's influence extends far beyond its production lifetime. Its instruction set architecture formed the basis for the 8085 and 8086 processors, with the latter introducing 16-bit capabilities while maintaining backward compatibility. This evolutionary approach to processor design became a hallmark of Intel's strategy and contributed to the widespread adoption of x86 architecture in personal computing.

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## References

1. [Source](http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102658123)
2. [Source](https://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/quickreffam.htm#i486)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. BabelNet
5. [Source](http://www.cpushack.com/life-cycle-of-cpu.html)
6. National Library of Israel