Intel iSBC 80/10

Intel iSBC 80/10

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The Intel iSBC 80/10, introduced in 1976, was the industry’s first single-board computer, integrating a CPU (the 8080 microprocessor), memory, I/O ports, and system clock onto a single 6.75-by-12 inch printed circuit board—a revolutionary step that made computing more compact and accessible for industrial and OEM applications. Its claim to fame lies in pioneering the single-board computer concept and establishing the Multibus architecture, which became a standard for system expansion and modularity in embedded and industrial systems. The iSBC 80/10 was widely adopted in industrial automation and process control, but there is no notable evidence of specific Canadian connections or widespread consumer popularity; its impact was primarily within engineering and industrial circles, laying groundwork for future embedded computing platforms.

• Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
• Type: Single-board computer (SBC)
• Release Date: 1976
• Cost at release: USD $395 (CAD ~$2,000 adjusted for inflation)
• Cost with peripherals: A complete system with necessary peripherals (chassis, power supply, additional memory, and I/O modules) could cost USD $2,000 (CAD ~$10,000 adjusted for inflation)
• MIPS: 0.5 (500 KIPS)

Hardware Specifications

• CPU: Intel 8080A CPU ran at up to 2 MHz
• Memory: 1 KB static RAM onboard, expandable up to 4 KB on the board
• Sockets for up to 16 KB of ROM/EPROM (varies by chip type; typically 4–8 KB practical).
• 48 programmable parallel I/O lines via two Intel 8255A chips.
• Programmable serial interface supporting RS-232C and teletype compatibility, with Intel 8251 USART.
• Single-level interrupt system with 11 interrupt sources.
• 1.04 ms interval timer.
• Single iSBX (Multimodule) bus connector for board expansion.
• Limited master MULTIBUS interface for system integration.
• Board size: 6.75 x 12 inches

Operating System & Programming Languages 

• Operating System: typically ran a monitor program as its resident operating system, which provided basic system control, program loading, and debugging functions
• Supported Languages:
  • Assembly language (8080/8085)
  • Intel’s PL/M-80 high-level language, designed specifically for microprocessor-based systems
  • Other languages such as BASIC and FORTRAN could be used if cross-compiled or hosted on a development system, but were not typically resident on the iSBC 80/10 itself

Notables

• The Intel iSBC 80/10 was the world’s first commercially available single-board computer, debuting in 1976 and integrating CPU, memory, and I/O onto one board—a revolutionary step at the time.
• It played a foundational role in establishing the Multibus architecture, which became a standard for modular and expandable embedded systems.
• The iSBC 80/10 was widely used in industrial automation, process control, and telecommunications, prized for its reliability and adaptability in harsh environments.
• It had no widely recognized nickname, but “SBC” (single-board computer) became a generic term thanks to its influence.
• The iSBC series, starting with the 80/10, is credited with helping to standardize and popularize single-board computers, laying the groundwork for modern embedded and industrial computing.
• Its design philosophy was compactness, expandability, and integration—continues to influence embedded system design today.
• The iSBC 80/10 is considered a milestone in microcomputer history, marking Intel’s early leadership in microprocessor-based system innovation

Donated by: Arlen Michaels