Renesas IP80C88-2

Overview

IP80C88-2 from Intersil is a static CMOS 8-bit external data bus / 16-bit internal architecture microprocessor, operating up to 8 MHz with full software compatibility to 8086/8088 and hardware compatibility to NMOS 8088 (excluding CLOCK), designed for embedded control and legacy system upgrades requiring low-power, TTL-compatible CPU replacement in minimum-mode systems.

For engineers reviewing the IP80C88-2 datasheet, IP80C88-2 pinout, IP80C88-2 application, or IP80C88-2 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, validated 40-pin PDIP pin mapping, confirmed bus-hold and static operation features, and two industry-recognized alternative parts for 8088-compatible designs.

Technical Context

The IP80C88-2 implements a dual-unit architecture: a Bus Interface Unit (BIU) with 4-byte instruction queue and an Execution Unit (EU) with 16-bit ALU and register file. It supports both Minimum mode (MN/MX = VCC) and Maximum mode (MN/MX = GND), with dedicated status lines (IO/M, DT/R, SS0 in min; S0–S2, QS0/QS1 in max) enabling precise bus cycle decoding.

Its static CMOS design allows DC-to-8 MHz operation, zero-refresh memory addressing, and clock halt capability - critical for debug, power-gated operation, and deterministic timing in industrial controllers. Bus-hold circuitry on AD7–AD0 eliminates external pull-ups, and LOCK signal enables atomic read-modify-write operations via semaphore protocol.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

IP80C88-2 is supplied in a 40-lead plastic dual-in-line package (PDIP), RoHS-compliant with matte tin e3 termination, compatible with SnPb and Pb-free soldering per IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 8-bit microprocessor applications.

Compared with NE8088 and IP80C88, the IP80C88-2 delivers higher throughput (8 MHz), lower standby current (500 µA), and integrated bus-hold - making it optimal for new designs requiring performance headroom, power efficiency, and simplified layout.

Availability

IP80C88-2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC controllers, legacy medical instruments, avionics maintenance terminals, and retro computing emulation boards requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for IP80C88-2 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Intersil Corporation was a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs, later acquired by Renesas Electronics in 2017.

The 80C88 family was developed as a CMOS upgrade path for 8088-based systems, targeting industrial control, instrumentation, and embedded applications where low power, static operation, and software compatibility were critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the IP80C88-2?

The IP80C88-2 is rated for a maximum clock frequency of 8 MHz under specified operating conditions (VCC = +5 V ±10%, TA = 0°C to +70°C). This is explicitly defined in the "Features" section and confirmed in the "Operating Conditions" table of FN2949 Rev.5.00. The IP80C88-2 achieves this speed while maintaining full static operation - meaning it functions reliably down to DC and supports clock halt.

Does the IP80C88-2 require external pull-up resistors on its data/address lines?

No, the IP80C88-2 incorporates built-in bus-hold circuitry on the AD7–AD0 lines, which actively retains the last valid logic state when those pins are tri-stated. This eliminates the need for external pull-up resistors - a key design simplification confirmed in the "Features" list and "Pin Descriptions" section of FN2949 Rev.5.00. The IP80C88-2 thus reduces BOM count and improves noise immunity in unterminated bus environments.

Is the IP80C88-2 pin-compatible with the original Intel 8088?

Yes, the IP80C88-2 uses the same 40-pin PDIP package and identical pinout as the Intel 8088, including matching assignments for AD7–AD0, A8–A15, RD, WR, MN/MX, and RESET. However, the CLOCK input is not TTL-compatible - it requires asymmetric 33% duty cycle timing, unlike the Intel 8088's symmetric requirement. This difference must be accounted for in clock generation circuitry when substituting the IP80C88-2.

What does "static CMOS design" mean for the IP80C88-2?

"Static CMOS design" means the IP80C88-2 contains no dynamic latches or capacitors requiring periodic refresh. Its internal registers and logic retain state indefinitely at DC, enabling true zero-frequency operation, indefinite clock halt, and deterministic single-stepping - all verified in the "Functional Description" section of FN2949 Rev.5.00. This directly supports low-power sleep modes and debug visibility not possible with NMOS predecessors like the 8088.

Which package options are available for the IP80C88-2?

The IP80C88-2 is offered exclusively in a 40-lead plastic dual-in-line package (PDIP) with Pb-free (RoHS-compliant) matte tin e3 termination, as documented in the "Ordering Information" table of FN2949 Rev.5.00. The part marking is CP80C88-2Z. No CERDIP or other package variants are specified for the -2 speed grade - only the CP80C88Z (5 MHz) and CP80C88-2Z (8 MHz) are listed for the 0°C to +70°C temperature range in PDIP.