The start of the much-anticipated death of 16-bit processors is upon us. Because of insufficient forecasted demand, March 30, 2007, is the final date that Intel will accept orders for its MCS51, MCS251, MCS96, 80X18X, 80X38X, 80X486DXX, and i960 microprocessors; Intel will ship the last of these devices by Sept 28, 2007 (Reference 1). It is only a matter of time before the other semiconductor companies producing 16-bit processors follow. Or is it? Are 16-bit processors destined to become a footnote in the history books?
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