Development of the MOS Technology 6502: A Historical Perspective

Looking back on the week 

Learning this difficult assembly 6502 this week, I explored historical material because I was curious about how people in the past came to create such complex languages. Moreover I've been curious since I was young about what kind of electrical signals computers deliver and how they produce such amazing results. I took this course because I thought I could reach a little bit of a solution. I'm currently studying hard, but I think I have a long way to go. This week, I'm going to share historical data on the development of the 6502 microprocessor. Reading and summarizing a fairly long article, I was able to see the amazing development process in the computer field again.

Summary

The development of the MOS Technology MCS 6502 microprocessor in the mid-1970s marked a significant milestone in the history of computing. Led by Chuck Peddle and Bill Mensch, the team at MOS Technology embarked on a journey to create a competitive microprocessor, fueled by frustration with Motorola's pricing and a desire to innovate in a more agile environment.

Despite limited resources compared to industry giants like Motorola, the team successfully designed the 6502 chipset, which would go on to power iconic systems such as the Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore PET/VIC-20/64/128, BBC Micro, and Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

The semiconductor manufacturing process for the 6502 involved complex steps akin to printing newspapers or creating printed circuit boards, with engineers meticulously designing photomasks to define circuit elements on semiconductor wafers. Advances in photolithography and semiconductor chemistry enabled the mass production of integrated circuits like the 6502, contributing to the rapid growth of the computing industry.

Key factors contributing to the success of the 6502 project included the use of dynamic logic circuits to optimize speed and size, the creation of reusable "cells" for layout planning, and the establishment of conservative design rules by Bill Mensch. Mensch's experience at Motorola played a crucial role in shaping the design approach for the 6502, highlighting the importance of expertise and innovation in semiconductor design and manufacturing.

Despite initial challenges and competition, MOS Technology's agility and focus on MOSFET-based IC design enabled it to produce a highly competitive microprocessor, solidifying its place as a major player in the microprocessor market and shaping the landscape of computing for years to come.

Reference

https://www.embeddedrelated.com/showarticle/1453.php / Jason Sachs / June 22, 2022

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