5 ms·

Is it true that lots of embedded system today still use a 8086 of some kind, because they're really cheap/easy to understand?

kens 4y ago
I think the Intel 8051 is still used in embedded systems. I don't know about the 8086 but it wouldn't surprise me.
- wildzzz 4y ago
  8051 is the basis for many microcontrollers today. They aren't compatible since vendors add all kinds of custom instructions or modifications to the original design but some vendors do still make drop in replacements. You can also get soft core versions for FPGAs that can run original software.
forinti 4y ago
If they are still manufactured, which process is used? I guess even a 65nm 8086 would be tiny.
- anticensor 4y ago
  And lightning fast.
- BirAdam 4y ago
  Production of the 8086 by Intel stopped in 1998. I imagine that it may have continued by another manufacturer, but I doubt it. 8051 descendants/derivatives are manufactured, but no longer by Intel. In general ARM and RISC-V have taken much of the low end market and microcontroller market.
userbinator 4y ago
An 80186 core was reasonably popular in LCD controllers (for OSD etc.) and miscellaneous stuff a while ago: https://www.cpushack.com/2013/01/12/the-intel-80186-gets-turbocharged-vautomation-turbo186/ https://www.cpushack.com/2013/01/12/the-intel-80186-gets-tur... These days, I think 8051 has taken over due to their smaller die area, and the increased clock frequencies due to smaller process sizes have made their performance sufficient.
duskwuff 4y ago
x86 is a fairly uncommon choice in embedded systems, but it does show up occasionally. The DisplayPort to HDMI chip used in some current-generation Apple laptops has an embedded 80186 core, for example. What you will find all over are 8051-compatible cores. Those show up everywhere, even in some places where you might not have expected to find a microcontroller at all.

kens 4y ago

I think the Intel 8051 is still used in embedded systems. I don't know about the 8086 but it wouldn't surprise me.

wildzzz 4y ago
8051 is the basis for many microcontrollers today. They aren't compatible since vendors add all kinds of custom instructions or modifications to the original design but some vendors do still make drop in replacements. You can also get soft core versions for FPGAs that can run original software.

forinti 4y ago

If they are still manufactured, which process is used? I guess even a 65nm 8086 would be tiny.

anticensor 4y ago
And lightning fast.
BirAdam 4y ago
Production of the 8086 by Intel stopped in 1998. I imagine that it may have continued by another manufacturer, but I doubt it. 8051 descendants/derivatives are manufactured, but no longer by Intel. In general ARM and RISC-V have taken much of the low end market and microcontroller market.

userbinator 4y ago

An 80186 core was reasonably popular in LCD controllers (for OSD etc.) and miscellaneous stuff a while ago: https://www.cpushack.com/2013/01/12/the-intel-80186-gets-turbocharged-vautomation-turbo186/ https://www.cpushack.com/2013/01/12/the-intel-80186-gets-tur... These days, I think 8051 has taken over due to their smaller die area, and the increased clock frequencies due to smaller process sizes have made their performance sufficient.

duskwuff 4y ago

x86 is a fairly uncommon choice in embedded systems, but it does show up occasionally. The DisplayPort to HDMI chip used in some current-generation Apple laptops has an embedded 80186 core, for example. What you will find all over are 8051-compatible cores. Those show up everywhere, even in some places where you might not have expected to find a microcontroller at all.