ONE-CHIP MICROCOMPUTER EXCELS IN I/O AND MEMORY-INTENSIVE USES.

Eight-bit microprocessors have increased in performance and sophistication, but they have taken one of two different paths in doing so. On the one hand, some have evolved into single-chip microcomputers that emphasize input and output efficiency to the extent that they often function as microcontrollers. Others, meanwhile, have improved as microprocessors - that is, memory-intensive machines for crunching numbers and manipulating data. Although each type is suited for particular applications, it is desirable that, ultimately, one architecture serve both needs. This two-part article presents and 8-bit single-chip microcomputer that can serve as either an I/O-intensive microcomputer or as a memory-intensive microprocessor. part 1 exmines the architecture that makes this possible, and Part 2 discusses the design's software.