4-BIT MICROPROCESSOR

4-bit microprocessors are those which have 4-bit central processing unit. In 1970s several 4-bit microprocessor was brought in the market. In fact these were the world’s first microprocessors. With the advent of IC and the silicon gate technology it was possible to build a total CPU in a single chip. With this technology more transistors could be integrated on a single chip. This made possible of faster and more reliable chip. Now we are using 64-bit processor with lighting speed but 4-bit microprocessor is still one of the best sale. You are thinking why? Then check this, you are using a simple calculator. All you need to do is simple calculation. Would you like to use super fast chip for this? Yeah, it will give better result and accuracy may be thousands time better than 4-bit but would you buy your simple calculator if it was 10 times the price you pay now. I wouldn’t like that. I think you will agree with me. This is why 4-bit microprocessor is still sold more than the core processor. Are you surprised? Again think how many laptop or desktop is sold in a year and how much alarm clock or calculator is sold in a year?

The calculator, alarm clock etc. where you don’t need high speed 4-bit is your best choice. It is a pride for every microprocessor lover as it started the microprocessor era. The first release of microprocessor was Intel 4004. It was first released on 1971. It is a 16 pin ceramic dual in package microprocessor. Federico Faggin was the chief designers of this project. Masatoshi Shima was also a main hand for this project. They made the creation of 4004 possible. It was designed initially for a Japanese company called Busicom. They wanted to use it for their calculator. Soon it became very popular and people understood the usefulness of 4-bit microprocessor. It started a new age and made possible the creation of advanced electronic equipment. It showed the path of advancement. Realizing its huge success Intel started the construction of 8-bit microprocessor and made it available in next year. Other companies also started constructing microprocessor. In 1971, shortly after the release of Intel 4004 Texas Instruments released TMS-1000 which is their first version of 4-bit microprocessor. Both of them did well in the market and microprocessor became one of the main fields of competition for business. There is a confusion which company first created the microprocessor successfully but Gary Boone and Michael J. Cochran of TI hold the "microcomputer patent". Intel had to pay royalties to TI for their microcomputer patent. In 1974 Intel released an advanced version of the Intel 4004. They introduced interrupt facility which was absent in previous version. The memory and register size was also expanded. Other companies also released new versions to compete with other companies. This made the revolution of microprocessor possible.

      4-bit is truly the father of all microprocessor. It showed the way to modern microprocessor. Prior to it nobody thought that microprocessor can be so much useful. One thing for sure, it doesn’t matter how much powerful microprocessor we made 4-bit will be popular for all time.