Great Microprocessors of the Past and Present (V 13.4.0)

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Section Seven: Weird and Innovative ChipsPart I: Intel 432, Extraordinary complexity (1980) . .The Intel iAPX 432 was a complex, object oriented 32-bit processor that included high level operating system support in hardware, such as process scheduling and interprocess messaging. Originally named the 8800 (a progression from previous 8008 and 8080), it was intended to be the main Intel 32-bit microprocessor (the 8086 was envisioned as a short term "plan B" product until the 432 was available when it was delayed, so little effort was spent on the design (some say two engineers took only three weeks, but that was probably only the initial architecture). Others say the 80286 was envisioned as a step between the 8086 and the 432, rushed through design when the 432 was late and resulting its own design problems, but was actually designed later). The 432 actually included four chips. The GDP (processor) and IP (I/O controller) were introduced in 1980, and the BIU (Bus Interface Unit) and MCU…