Product Overview
Vintage 8-Bit MCS-48 Microcontroller ROMless HMOS CPU - P8039HL
Product Condition
Unused, New Old Stock genuine Intel P8039HL in 40-pin plastic DIP package. Clean body with clear Intel branding and straight pins. No original retail packaging included.
Ships same business day. Hard-to-find parts since 1999. Fair prices, real help.
Product Overview
Intel P8039HL is an 8-bit microcontroller from the MCS-48 family, designed as a ROMless CPU requiring external program memory. Unlike the 8048, the 8039 contains no internal mask ROM, making it ideal for systems that store firmware in external EPROM devices such as the 2716 or 2732. It includes 128 bytes of internal RAM and 27 programmable I/O lines.
The “HL” suffix identifies the HMOS process high-performance version with low-power standby capability. Rated for crystal frequencies up to 11 MHz, it operates from a standard 5V supply and interfaces directly with TTL logic. This device was widely used in arcade hardware, industrial controllers, and early peripheral systems where flexible external firmware storage was required.
Key Features
- Manufacturer: Intel
- Model: P8039HL
- Family: MCS-48
- Architecture: 8-bit ROMless microcontroller
- Internal RAM: 128 bytes
- I/O Lines: 27 programmable lines
- Maximum Crystal Frequency: 11 MHz
- Instruction Cycle: Approx. 1.36 µs at 11 MHz
- Supply Voltage: 5V nominal (±10%)
- Package: 40-pin plastic DIP
- Technology: HMOS
Applications
- Arcade sound and control boards
- Vintage computer peripherals
- Keyboard controller replacements
- Industrial automation equipment
- Retrocomputing development projects
- External EPROM-based embedded systems
- Restoration of legacy Intel MCS-48 designs
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this microcontroller have internal program memory?
No. The P8039 is ROMless and requires external program memory for code storage.
What voltage does it operate on?
It operates from a regulated 5V supply within approximately ±10% tolerance.
What is the difference between the 8039 and 8048?
The 8048 includes internal mask ROM. The 8039 relies entirely on external memory, making it useful for systems requiring firmware flexibility.
Is this compatible with CMOS 80C39 replacements?
Functionally similar, but CMOS versions may have different drive characteristics. In some legacy TTL-heavy designs, matching the original HMOS version is preferred.
What package is this device?
This unit is supplied in a 40-pin plastic Dual In-line Package (PDIP).
Before flash memory and USB bootloaders, firmware lived in external EPROM and CPUs like this fetched every byte the hard way. If you are restoring a board that depends on an 8039, this Intel original keeps the timing and drive strength right where it belongs.
