18) The First Japanese Microprocessor was Toshiba’s 12 bit MPU
[TLCS-12], 12 bit microprocessor developed by Toshiba
The first Japanese microprocessor was developed by Toshiba.
Intel’s microprocessor announcement was in November 1971, while Toshiba’s
announcement was May 1973. Even though Toshiba was a follower, the delay was
only one and half years.
The unusual point of this MPU was, as the product name of TLCS-12 (Picture)
shows, it adopted 12 bit word length. At that time, Intel had already started
sales of an 8 bit product [8008], and was expected to announce a 16 bit product
next. The industry wondered, “Why 12 bit?”
There was actually an intention of Ford Motor Company in the background of
this development. Toshiba and Ford had business relationships since early
60’s through the technology development of semiconductor components for automotive
use. Probably based on the satisfactory results of the activities, Ford offered
Toshiba to develop electronic engine control system. The timing was when Muskie
Act to regulate air pollution control came into effect in 1970 in US, and
all the automobile manufacturers were working to take measures on this Act.
Toshiba’s answer to Ford was a computerized engine control system. Ford reacted
to this idea quickly and a project team of about 10 members was organized.
At first, Ford considered using minicomputers, but the size would be too big
and the cost as high as 1 million Yen. They finally reached the conclusion
that microcomputers could solve these problems. In order to control mechanical
systems like engine, 10 times more functions than 4 bit were required, and
12 bit architecture was adopted.
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