Intel iSBC
Multibus Bus Architecture

General description

The Intel iSBC (Intelligent System Board Computer) series from the 1970s and 1980s was a pivotal development in the history of microcomputers and embedded systems. These single-board computers (SBCs) were designed for industrial and commercial applications, providing a compact, versatile solution for various computing needs.

Intel introduced the iSBC line in the early 1970s. These boards were among the first to integrate a microprocessor, memory, and I/O (input/output) capabilities onto a single board, which was revolutionary at the time. The early iSBC boards were based on Intel’s 8-bit microprocessors, such as the 8080 and later the 8085. Subsequent models incorporated more advanced processors like the 16-bit 8086 and 32-bit 80286. They included onboard RAM and ROM, with some models supporting expandable memory. The boards provided various I/O options, including serial and parallel ports, allowing connectivity with peripheral devices. iSBC boards often utilized the Multibus architecture, a parallel bus standard that facilitated communication between the CPU and peripheral devices.

The iSBC series was widely used in industrial automation, process control, telecommunications, and other embedded system applications. Their robust design made them suitable for harsh industrial environments and provided a cost-effective and reliable computing platform for developing custom applications. Notable models included the iSBC 80/10, featuring the Intel 8080 microprocessor, the iSBC 86/12, which utilized the Intel 8086 processor and offered enhanced performance with a 16-bit architecture, and the iSBC 286/10, which incorporated the Intel 80286 processor, marking a shift towards 32-bit computing capabilities.

The iSBC series helped standardize single-board computers and influenced the design of future embedded systems. It pioneered the integration of critical computing components onto a single board, setting the stage for the development of more compact and efficient computing solutions. The flexibility and expandability of the iSBC boards contributed to their widespread adoption and longevity in the market.

The iSBC series is remembered as a significant milestone in the evolution of microcomputers. It demonstrated Intel’s innovation and foresight in the development of microprocessor-based systems. Although technology has advanced significantly since then, the principles established by the iSBC line continue to influence modern embedded system design. The Intel iSBC series from the 1970s and 1980s was a groundbreaking development in the field of microcomputers and embedded systems. These single-board computers provided a versatile and reliable platform for a wide range of applications, paving the way for the advanced embedded systems we rely on today. The iSBC series is a testament to Intel’s pioneering role in the microelectronics industry and its lasting impact on computing technology.

Intel iSBC Examples

The Intel iSBC boards in my collection:

iSBC-80/10A

  • The SBC-80/l0A is the member of Intel’s complete line of OEM computer systems which take full advantage of Intel’s LSI technology to provide economical, self-contained computer based solutions for OEM applications.

iSBC-80/24

  • The Intel® iSBC-80/24 Single Board Computer is a member of Intel’s complete line of OEM microcomputer systems which take full advantage of Intel’s LSI technology to provide economical, self-contained computer-based solutions for OEM applications.

iSBC-286/10

  • The iSBC-286/10 Single Board Computer is a member of Intel’s complete line of microcomputer modules and systems which take advantage of Intel’s VLSI technolboy to provide economical, off-the-shelf, computer-based solutions for OEM applications.

iSBC-286/12

  • The board feature an 80286 microprocessor running at 8 MHz together with 1 megabyte of dual-ported, 0 wait-state, parity memory. These features make the iSBC-286/12 board the ideal single board solution for applications requiring high performance and up to 1 megabyte of memory. For those applications needing more memory, up to four memory expansion boards may be connected to the iSBC-286/12 boards over its P2 interface.

iSBC-188/56

  • The iSBC-188/56 Advanced Communicating Computer (COMMputer) is an intelligent 8-channel single board computer. This iSBC board adds ttie 8 MHz 80188 microprocessor-based communications flexibility to the Intel line of OEM microcomputer systems. Acting as a stand-alone CPU or intelligent slave for communication expansion, this board provides a high performance, low-cost solution for multi-user systems.

iSBC-214

  • The iSBC-214 multi-peripheral controller provides MULTIBUS systems (8-bit and 16-bit data paths) with an interface for Winchester disk drives, flexible diskette drives, and streaming tape drives. A maximum of ten peripheral devices can interface with one board in the following configuration: two 5.25-inch Winchester disk drives, four 5.25-inch flexible diskette drives, and four lt4-inch streaming tape drives.

iSBC-215G

  • The Intel iSBC-215 Generic Winchester Disk Controller Board allows as many as four hard-disk drives (typically. Winchester technology). as many as four flexible-diskette drives. and as many as four magnetic cartridge-tape drives to be interfaced to any Intel MULTIBUS interface compatible computer system. It supports disk drives that use open-loop head positioning. closed-loop head positioning. or ANSI X3T9/1226 interfaces.

iSBC-552

  • The iSBC-552 board is an intelligent single-board computer board configured as an Ethernet communication controller module for MULTIBUS board systems. Each workstation is a computer system that has a host CPU board, MUL TIBUS memory and an iSBC-552 board. The iSBC-552 board allows the host to gain access to the Ethernet channel and to translate the serially formatted data of the transceiver to a data format acceptable to the host.