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MOS Technology 6502 Microprocessor

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The MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor, commonly referred to as the 6502, is a historic and influential 8-bit microprocessor designed by MOS Technology in the mid-1970s. It was released in 1975 and quickly gained popularity due to its low cost, high performance, and widespread availability. The 6502 played a significant role in the early history of personal computing and video game consoles, powering many iconic systems such as the Apple II, Commodore PET, Atari 2600, and Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

The homepage for the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor is not available as it is a legacy technology. However, information about the 6502 can be found on various historical computing websites and forums.

The 6502 features a simple and elegant instruction set architecture (ISA) with only 56 instructions, making it relatively easy to program compared to other contemporary microprocessors. It has a 16-bit address bus, allowing it to address up to 64KB of memory, and supports both little-endian and big-endian memory addressing modes.

The 6502 operates at clock speeds ranging from 1 MHz to 3.6 MHz, depending on the specific model and manufacturer. It is capable of executing approximately one instruction per clock cycle, giving it a relatively high performance for its time.

One of the key features of the 6502 is its low cost, which made it accessible to hobbyists, enthusiasts, and small computer manufacturers. Its affordability played a significant role in the proliferation of personal computers and home computing during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The 6502 is a highly versatile microprocessor that has been used in a wide range of applications, including home computers, video game consoles, industrial control systems, and embedded devices. Its flexibility, performance, and affordability made it an attractive choice for developers and engineers working on diverse projects.

The 6502 has a rich ecosystem of software and development tools, including assemblers, compilers, emulators, and debuggers, which enable developers to write, test, and debug software for the 6502 architecture. These tools have played a crucial role in the development of software for the 6502 and continue to be used by enthusiasts and retro computing enthusiasts today.

The 6502 has a strong community of enthusiasts, collectors, and developers who continue to support and maintain the platform through projects such as hardware modifications, software emulation, and preservation efforts. This vibrant community ensures that the legacy of the 6502 continues to be celebrated and remembered in the digital age.

Despite its age, the 6502 remains relevant in certain niche applications and retro computing communities. Its simplicity, efficiency, and historical significance have earned it a place in the hearts of many retro computing enthusiasts and collectors who continue to use and enjoy systems powered by the 6502.

In conclusion, the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor is a historic and influential 8-bit microprocessor that played a significant role in the early history of personal computing and video game consoles. With its low cost, high performance, and versatility, the 6502 helped democratize computing and empower a generation of enthusiasts, hobbyists, and small computer manufacturers. While it may no longer be in widespread use today, the legacy of the 6502 lives on through its impact on the history of computing and the continued enthusiasm of retro computing enthusiasts.

Snippet from Wikipedia: MOS Technology 6502: The MOS Technology 6502 (typically pronounced "sixty-five-oh-two") is an 8-bit microprocessor that was designed by a small team led by Chuck Peddle for MOS Technology. The design team had formerly worked at Motorola on the Motorola 6800 project; the 6502 is essentially a simplified, less expensive and faster version of that design.
When it was introduced in 1975, the 6502 was the least expensive microprocessor on the market by a considerable margin. It initially sold for less than one-sixth the cost of competing designs from larger companies, such as the 6800 or Intel 8080. Its introduction caused rapid decreases in pricing across the entire processor market. Along with the Zilog Z80, it sparked a series of projects that resulted in the home computer revolution of the early 1980s.
Popular video game consoles and home computers of the 1980s and early 1990s, such as the Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit family, Apple II, Nintendo Entertainment System, Commodore 64, Atari Lynx, BBC Micro and others, use the 6502 or variations of the basic design. Soon after the 6502's introduction, MOS Technology was purchased outright by Commodore International, who continued to sell the microprocessor and licenses to other manufacturers. In the early days of the 6502, it was second-sourced by Rockwell and Synertek, and later licensed to other companies.
In 1981, the Western Design Center started development of a CMOS version, the 65C02. This continues to be widely used in embedded systems, with estimated production volumes in the hundreds of millions.

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“The R6502P CPU is a 40 pin DIP processor commonly found in the Apple 1, Apple II, Apple III, Apple II+, and early Apple IIe. This is the original version of the 6502 CPU and NOT the newer CMOS version found in the Enhanced IIe and IIc.”

“The CPU is fully tested and guarantied to run at 2 MHz or better. This is a perfect replacement Apple CPU for your Apple 1, Replacia 1, II, II+, or early IIe]. Fair Use Source: https://reactivemicro.com/product/r6502p-cpu

Snippet from Wikipedia: Retrocomputing: Retrocomputing is the current use of older computer hardware and software. Retrocomputing is usually classed as a hobby and recreation rather than a practical application of technology; enthusiasts often collect rare and valuable hardware and software for sentimental reasons.
Occasionally, however, an obsolete computer system has to be "resurrected" to run software specific to that system, to access data stored on obsolete media, or to use a peripheral that requires that system.

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