Intel μScope 820

UvA Computer Museum catalogue nr 16.08

The Intel μScope 820 (1977) is a portable test instrument to facilitate the design and/or troubleshooting of microprocessor-based systems. A probe replaces the CPU of the system under test. This system can then be controlled completely from the μScope's front panel. The CPU can be single-stepped, halted or run in real time. Registers and memory locations can be inspected, breakpoints can be set, and much more.
The μScope came with a probe (and associated front panel overlay) for the Intel 8080 processor. The price of the system was about US$ 2800. Later (1979) also a 8085 probe became available, for $ 825.

We suspect that the economic lifetime of this instrument has been rather short, because of the rapid development of processor technology. Even the μScope itself was built around a 8085 processor, which had the major advantage of working from a single +5 V power supply, instead of the +5, -5 and +12 V required by the 8080.

Our μScope is in perfect, apparently unused condition, complete with 8080 probe, cables and the operator's handbook. It may well have been already out of date at the time it arrived with the Dutch firm who probably ordered it in 1977 or 1978.
By Intel the instrument was called μScope which is usually written as MuScope or uScope in non-Intel references.
Dimensions (closed briefcase): 47x37x18 cm, 9.7 kg.