Federico Faggin

Interview

• "The skin of the computer" (Palo Alto, 15/11/95)
• "A future of «intelligent machines»" (Milan - SMAU, 02/10/97)

Biography

Federico Faggin was born in Vincenza, Italy, and attended the University of Padua, Italy, where he received a Doctorate in Physics, summa cum laude, in 1965. After a brief period of work experience in Italy, Faggin went to the United States in 1968 to work for Fairchild Semiconductor in its R&D Laboratory in Palo Alto, California. At Fairchild, Faggin led the development of the original MOS silicon gate technology, and designed the world's first commercial integrated circuit using that technology: the 3708, an 8-bit analogue multiplexer with decoding logic.

In 1970, Faggin joined Intel Corporation in Santa Clara, California, where he led the design and development of the world's first microprocessor, the 4004, and three other companion integrated circuits. While at Intel, Faggin also conceived, architected and supervised the design of the first high performance 8-bit microprocessor, the 8080, introduced in early 1974. Department manager in R&D, Faggin led the development of more than 25 integrated circuits, including the 2102A, the first high-speed, 5-Volt, 1024-bit static RAM (1974).

At the end of 1974, Faggin co-founded Zilog Inc. in Campbell, California, and was its President and CEO until the end of 1980. At Zilog, he conceived and architected the Z80 microprocessor family and supervised the design of the Z80 microprocessor - the most successful 8-bit microprocessor ever produced, still in high volume production in 1995. Under Faggin's leadership, Zilog was at the forefront of microprocessor technology for many years.

In 1982, Faggin co-founded Cygnet Technologies Inc. and was its President and CEO until 1986. At Cygnet, Faggin conceived the Communication CoSystem, an intelligent voice and data peripheral for the personal computer. In 1986, Faggin co-founded Synaptics Inc., where he is currently President and CEO. Synaptics is dedicated to the creation of human interface products and technology based on sensory pattern recognition; touch, sound and sight.