Federico Faggin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Federico Faggin
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Faggin in September 2011
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| Born | 1 December 1941 |
| Citizenship | Italian, American |
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| Children | one daughter (b. 1970) and two sons (b. 1979 and 1980) |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | physics, electrical engineering |
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| Thesis | flying-spot scanners |
Federico Faggin (born 1 December 1941) is an Italian-American scientist, engineer, inventor, and business leader. He is famous for designing the Intel 4004, which was the first commercial microprocessor. A microprocessor is like the "brain" of a computer, allowing it to do calculations and follow instructions.
Faggin also created a very important technology called the self-aligned MOS (metal–oxide–semiconductor) silicon-gate technology (SGT) in 1968. This invention made it possible to create many modern electronic devices, including computer memory chips, CCD image sensors (used in cameras), and microprocessors. He also helped develop other important microprocessors like the Intel 8008 and Intel 8080. Later, he co-founded Zilog, a company focused only on microprocessors, and led the creation of the Zilog Z80 and Zilog Z8 processors. He also helped start companies like Cygnet Technologies and Synaptics, where he helped develop the touchpad and early touchscreens.
In 2010, he received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. This is the highest award the United States gives for achievements in technology. In 2011, Faggin started a foundation to support the scientific study of consciousness.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Federico Faggin was born in Vicenza, Italy. His father was a scholar who wrote many academic books. Federico became interested in technology at a young age. He went to a technical high school and later earned a physics degree with honors from the University of Padua.
Working at Olivetti
At 19, Faggin joined Olivetti, a company that made typewriters and calculators. He helped design a small digital computer with magnetic memory. Olivetti later created one of the world's first programmable desktop calculators, the Olivetti Programma 101.
Joining SGS-Fairchild
In 1967, he joined SGS-Fairchild in Italy. There, he developed their first MOS metal-gate process technology and designed their first two commercial MOS integrated circuits. He later moved to California to continue his work on silicon-gate technology with Fairchild.
Innovations in Silicon Valley
Fairchild Semiconductor
In February 1968, Federico Faggin joined Fairchild Semiconductor in Palo Alto, California. He led the project for the MOS silicon-gate technology (SGT). This technology was a huge step forward for microelectronics. It made it possible to create much smaller and faster electronic circuits.
The SGT replaced older technologies and became the foundation for almost all modern integrated circuits. It allowed for the creation of MOS semiconductor memory chips, the first microprocessor, and other important devices like CCDs (used in digital cameras) and EPROMs (a type of memory).
The Fairchild 3708
At Fairchild, Faggin designed the Fairchild 3708. This was the first commercial integrated circuit to use his new silicon-gate technology. It was much faster and more reliable than older chips, proving how good SGT was.
Intel Corporation
Federico Faggin joined Intel in 1970. He became the project leader and designer for the MCS-4 family of microprocessors, which included the famous Intel 4004. He wanted to use his new silicon-gate technology to create advanced chips, and Intel was the right place for that.
The Intel 4004
The Intel 4004 (released in 1971) was the world's first single-chip microprocessor. This meant a complete computer processing unit could fit on one tiny chip. Faggin's new design methods and innovations, combined with the silicon-gate technology, made this possible. He found ways to make the circuits denser and faster, which was key to fitting the microprocessor onto a single chip.
The 4004 was part of a family of four chips designed for a Japanese calculator company called Busicom. Faggin saw that the 4004 could be used for many other things, not just calculators. He convinced Intel to sell the MCS-4 family to other customers, which changed the future of computing.
In 2009, Faggin and others who contributed to the 4004 were recognized as Fellows of the Computer History Museum. Faggin was crucial because he invented the silicon-gate technology and led the actual chip design.
Early Intel Microprocessors
Faggin's design methods were used for all of Intel's early microprocessors.
- The Intel 8008 was the world's first single-chip 8-bit CPU. It was also built using silicon-gate technology.
- The Intel 4040 (1974) was an improved version of the 4004. Faggin created its design.
- The Intel 8080 (1974) was the first high-performance 8-bit microprocessor. It was much faster and easier to use than the 8008. The 8080's speed and lower cost allowed microprocessors to be used in many new devices, including the first personal computers.
Faggin left Intel at the end of 1974. He was in charge of all MOS products at Intel at that time.
Zilog Corporation
In November 1974, Federico Faggin and Ralph Ungermann started Zilog. This was the first company completely focused on making microprocessors. Faggin was Zilog's president and CEO.
The Zilog Z80
Faggin designed the Zilog Z80 CPU and its related parts. The Z80 was a big improvement over the Intel 8080. It was faster and had more features, but it could still run software made for the 8080. The Z80 was used in many early personal computers, like the MSX, and in popular video game systems such as the ColecoVision, Master System, and Game Boy.
The Zilog Z8 Microcontroller
The Zilog Z8 micro controller (1978) was one of the first single-chip microcontrollers. It combined an 8-bit CPU, memory (RAM and ROM), and input/output features all on one chip. This made it perfect for many control applications.
Other Innovations
The Communication CoSystem
In 1984, Faggin conceived the Communication CoSystem. This device, made by his second company Cygnet Technologies, connected to a personal computer and a phone line. It could automatically handle phone calls, emails, and even share computer screens during a call.
Synaptics
In 1986, Faggin co-founded Synaptics. He was the CEO until 1999. Synaptics first worked on artificial neural networks, which are computer systems designed to learn like a human brain. In 1994, Synaptics introduced the touchpad, which quickly replaced older trackballs in laptop computers. Synaptics also developed early touchscreens, which are now used in almost all smartphones and tablets. Faggin helped invent ten patents for Synaptics.
Foveon
From 2003 to 2008, Faggin was the president and CEO of Foveon. He helped the company create image sensors that were better than those made by competitors. Foveon was later bought by the Japanese Sigma Corporation.
Federico and Elvia Faggin Foundation
In 2011, Federico and Elvia Faggin started the "Federico and Elvia Faggin Foundation." This foundation supports scientific research into consciousness at universities and research centers in the United States. Faggin became interested in consciousness while working on artificial neural networks at Synaptics. He wanted to understand if it's possible to build a computer that is truly conscious.
Ideas on Consciousness
Federico Faggin has proposed a theory about consciousness. He believes that consciousness is a special kind of quantum phenomenon that is unique to each person. He suggests that our conscious experiences are private and cannot be perfectly copied or fully understood from the outside, similar to how quantum states behave.
He believes that a classical computer, which relies on information that can be perfectly copied, can never truly be conscious in the same way a human is. This idea suggests that consciousness is not just about how the brain works, and it might continue to exist even after the body dies.
Original Documents
- Faggin, F., Klein, T., and Vadasz, L.: Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor Integrated Circuits with Silicon Gates. This paper describes the silicon-gate technology, presented in 1968.
- Federico Faggin and Thomas Klein.: "A Faster Generation of MOS Devices with Low Thresholds is Riding the Crest of the New Wave, Silicon-Gate IC's". This article from 1969 introduces the Fairchild 3708, the first commercial chip using silicon-gate technology.
- F. Faggin, T. Klein: Silicon-Gate Technology. "Solid State Electronics", 1970, Vol. 13, pp. 1125–1144
- F. Faggin and M. E. Hoff: "Standard Parts and Custom Design Merge in a Four-chip Processor Kit". Electronics, 24 April 1972
- F. Faggin, et al.: "The MCS-4 An LSI Microcomputer System". IEEE 1972 Region Six Conference.
- Faggin, Federico; Capocaccia, F. "A New Integrated MOS Shift Register", Proceedings XV International Electronics Scientific Congress, Rome, April 1968, pp. 143–152.
- Initials F.F. (Federico Faggin) on the 4004 design (1971). The 4004 chip has Faggin's initials etched on it, a sign of his pride in the design.
- Busicom 141-PF Printing Calculator Engineering Prototype (1971). This prototype calculator, using the first microprocessor, was given to Faggin and later donated to the Computer History Museum.
Awards and Honors
Federico Faggin has received many awards for his important work:
- 1988: Marconi International Fellowship Award for his work on the microprocessor.
- 1988: Gold Medal for Science and Technology from the Italian Prime Minister.
- 1988: Title of "Grande Ufficiale" from the President of Italy.
- 1994: W. Wallace McDowell Award for developing the Silicon Gate Process and the first commercial microprocessor.
- 1994: Honorary degree in Computer Science from the University of Milan.
- 1996: Ronald H. Brown American Innovator Award.
- 1996: Lifetime Achievement Award by P.C. Magazine.
- 1996: Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
- 1997: Kyoto Prize.
- 1997: George R. Stibitz Computer Pioneer Award.
- 1997: Masi Civilta' Veneta Prize.
- 2001: Dr. Robert Noyce Memorial Award by the Semiconductor Industry Association.
- 2002: Honorary degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
- 2003: AeA/Stanford Executive Institute Award.
- 2006: European Inventor of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 2007: Honorary degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pavia.
- 2008: Honorary degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Palermo.
- 2009: Honorary degree in Computer Sciences from the University of Verona.
- 2009: Fellow of the Computer History Museum for his work on the Intel 4004.
- 2009: National Medal of Technology and Innovation from U.S. President Barack Obama.
- 2011: The George R. Stibitz Lifetime Achievement Award for his foundational contributions to modern technology.
- 2019: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic from the President of Italy.
- 2012: Global Information Technology Award from the President of Armenia.
- 2012: Honorary PhD from the Polytechnic University (Armenia).
- 2012: Premio Franca Florio.
- 2013: Honorary PhD in science from Chapman University (CA).
- 2014: Enrico Fermi Award for inventing the MOS silicon gate technology and the first modern microprocessor.
- 2018: IEEE Italy Section Honorary Award.
- 2018: AAAS Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
- 2019: PhD (Dottorato di ricerca) honoris causa in computer engineering from the University of Pisa (Italy).
- 2023: Sigillum Magnum from the University of Bologna.
Images for kids
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Faggin in September 2011
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Faggin at the Computer History Museum's 2009 Fellows Award event
