# Intel i960

> RISC-based microprocessor design

**Wikidata**: [Q277482](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q277482)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_i960)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-i960

## Summary
The Intel i960 is a RISC-based microprocessor design developed by Intel. Also known by the alias Intel 80960, it is classified as a microcontroller and represents a specific subclass of Intel microprocessors.

## Key Facts
*   **Developer:** Intel
*   **Aliases:** Intel 80960
*   **Architecture:** RISC-based microprocessor design
*   **Classification:** Instance of a microcontroller; subclass of Intel microprocessor
*   **Definition:** Functions as a small computer on a single integrated circuit (per microcontroller classification)
*   **Library of Congress ID:** sh96010459
*   **FOLDOC ID:** Intel+i960
*   **Global Presence:** Documented across 17 sitelinks and 10 Wikipedia languages (including English, German, Spanish, French, and Japanese)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Intel i960?
A: The Intel i960 is a RISC-based microprocessor design developed by Intel. It is technically classified as a microcontroller, operating as a small computer on a single integrated circuit.

### Q: Is the Intel i960 a microcontroller or a microprocessor?
A: It is both. While it is a subclass of Intel microprocessor, structured data classifies it specifically as an instance of a microcontroller.

### Q: What does "i960" stand for?
A: The term is a model number for the device, which is also known as the Intel 80960.

## Why It Matters
The Intel i960 represents a significant architectural branch in Intel's history, distinct from their ubiquitous x86 (CISC) lineage. As a RISC-based (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) microprocessor design, it illustrates the industry's exploration of different computing architectures to optimize performance for specific tasks.

Classifying the i960 as a microcontroller highlights its intended role in embedded systems and specialized control applications rather than general-purpose personal computing. By consolidating the functions of a small computer onto a single integrated circuit, the design contributed to the miniaturization and efficiency of electronic devices. Its documentation across multiple international languages and library authorities underscores its recognized relevance in the history of computer hardware engineering.

## Notable For
*   **Architecture:** Distinguished as a RISC-based design, contrasting with the CISC architecture of Intel's more common x86 processors.
*   **Integration:** Recognized as a microcontroller, defining it as a complete small computer system on a single chip.
*   **Nomenclature:** Also known by the alternate identifier "Intel 80960."
*   **Standardization:** Cataloged by the Library of Congress and national libraries, confirming its status as a distinct, citable technology.

## Body

### Classification and Architecture
The Intel i960 is a microprocessor architecture developed by Intel. It is categorized structurally as a subclass of **Intel microprocessor** but is defined more specifically as an **instance of a microcontroller**.

The design is fundamentally based on **RISC** (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) principles. This architecture focuses on simplified instructions that can be executed in a single clock cycle, a distinct approach compared to the Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) architecture used in other Intel product lines.

### Identity and Nomenclature
The entity is primarily identified as **Intel i960**. It maintains the alias **Intel 80960**. It is indexed under the Library of Congress Authority ID `sh96010459` and the National Library of Israel ID `987007534879805171`.

### Technical Context
As a **microcontroller**, the Intel i960 is defined as a small computer constructed on a single integrated circuit. This classification implies it typically includes a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. The design is related to the broader concept of microcontrollers as small computing solutions embedded within larger mechanical or electrical systems.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File