# Intel 8259

> programmable interrupt controller

**Wikidata**: [Q1547313](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1547313)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_8259)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-8259

## Summary
The Intel 8259 is a programmable interrupt controller (PIC) developed by Intel. Introduced in 1976, it is designed as an integrated circuit model to manage interrupt requests in computer systems.

## Key Facts
*   **Entity Type:** Integrated circuit model.
*   **Function:** Programmable interrupt controller.
*   **Developer:** Intel (American multinational technology company).
*   **Manufacturer:** Intel.
*   **Inception Date:** 1976.
*   **Related Technologies:** Associated with the 580 series of integrated circuits (a Soviet set of ICs based on Intel architecture).
*   **Industry Context:** Semiconductor industry.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Intel 8259?
A: The Intel 8259 functions as a programmable interrupt controller. It acts as an integrated circuit model designed to manage and prioritize interrupt requests sent to the processor.

### Q: When was the Intel 8259 developed and by whom?
A: The Intel 8259 was developed and manufactured by Intel, an American multinational technology company, with a start time of 1976.

### Q: Is the Intel 8259 related to other integrated circuit series?
A: Yes, it is related to the 580 series of integrated circuits. This series was a Soviet set of integrated circuits for 8-bit computers based on Intel 8080/82xx architecture.

## Why It Matters
The Intel 8259 matters as a specialized hardware component essential for computer system architecture. As a programmable interrupt controller (PIC), it serves a critical role in managing how a central processing unit (CPU) handles external events. By acting as an intermediary, the 8259 allows the CPU to focus on executing main programs while the controller manages multiple interrupt lines, prioritizes them, and signals the processor only when necessary.

Developed by Intel in 1976, this integrated circuit model represents a standardization in interrupt handling during the formative years of the semiconductor industry. Its existence highlights the modular approach to system design, where distinct functions—such as interrupt management—were offloaded to dedicated chips. Furthermore, its relationship to the Soviet "580 series" of integrated circuits underscores its influence as a reference architecture in global computing history, serving as a foundational component for systems based on the Intel 8080 architecture.

## Notable For
*   **Classification:** It is a distinct instance of an "integrated circuit model" specifically subclassed as a "programmable interrupt controller."
*   **Provenance:** Created by Intel, a major leader in the semiconductor industry headquartered in Santa Clara, United States.
*   **Historical Impact:** Its architecture influenced the 580 series of integrated circuits used in Soviet 8-bit computers.
*   **Timeline:** It was established in 1976, placing it among the key support chips developed during the era of early 8-bit and 16-bit microcomputing.

## Body
### Development and Classification
The Intel 8259 is classified as an integrated circuit model and falls under the subclass of programmable interrupt controllers. It was developed and manufactured by Intel, a prominent American organization in the semiconductor and electrical industries.

### Historical Context
The development of the Intel 8259 began in **1976**. This timeline aligns with the era of early microprocessor development. Intel, founded on July 18, 1968, established its headquarters in Santa Clara, California. The creation of the 8259 contributed to Intel's portfolio of support chips designed to augment their primary processors.

### Technical Relations
The Intel 8259 is technically linked to the **580 series of integrated circuits**. This series is noted as a Soviet set of integrated circuits designed for 8-bit computers. The 580 series was based on the Intel 8080 and 82xx architecture, indicating that the logic or functionality of the Intel 8259 was a reference point for these related technologies. The 580 series itself inception dates to 1976.

### Availability and Media
The entity maintains a digital presence through various knowledge bases. It has a Freebase ID (`/m/05b9n6`) and is documented across 13 site links in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. Visual representations of the chip are available in the Wikimedia Commons category "Intel 8259."

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013