[vcf-midatlantic] Semi-OT: microcontollers (?)

[Dan Roganti]

On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 12:25 PM, Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic <
vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:

> On 06/29/2017 12:12 PM, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
> ...
> > I would suggest that early "microcontrollers" are on topic here.
>
> <aol>
>   Me too.
> </aol>
>
>   The microcontroller is a special case of the microprocessor.  They're
> computers too.
>
>             -Dave
>
> --
> Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
> New Kensington, PA
>


​I recall the TMS1000 was the first one in 1974, and its many variants thru
the 70s and 80s, but they called it a microcomputer. I guess the term
microcontroller came a few years later. ​But it combined all the essential
components on one die, processor, ram, rom, and some had LED or VFD display
ports.  Not only did they find their way into calculators, but also the
first generation of computerized board games and robotic toys in the 1970s,
Code Name Sector and Big Trak. I think Intel didn't get onboard the
microcontroller scene until 1980 with the 8051/31 But I could be mistaken.
Dan


-- 
 _  ____
/ \__/   Scotty, We Need More Power !!
\_/ _\__ Aye, Cap'n, but we've only got 80 col's !!