The Zilog Z80 microprocessor, launched in July 1976, achieved significant success in early 8-bit personal computers and numerous embedded applications, remaining in use in industrial systems until its discontinuation in 2024. Developed as a binary compatible, enhanced successor to the Intel 8080, the Z80 introduced added registers, new instructions, simplified bus design, and flexible interrupt modes, enabling simpler system interfacing and higher performance. Its design lineage traces back to the Datapoint 2200 terminal’s TTL-based CPU and Intel’s 8008 and 8080 processors, with the Z80 influencing later architectures and maintaining relevance for nearly five decades.
The Zilog Z80 Has Turned 50
