82801BA

The 82801BA is a component manufactured by Intel, often referred to as a South Bridge or Platform Controller Hub (PCH) in older Intel chipsets. It is part of the Intel ICH (I/O Controller Hub) family, specifically the ICH4 series. Its primary function is to manage a wide range of input/output operations on a computer motherboard.

This chip typically handles slower peripheral interfaces and legacy support. Key functions integrated into the 82801BA include Universal Serial Bus (USB) controllers, enabling connectivity for peripherals like keyboards, mice, and external storage. It also incorporates IDE controllers for connecting traditional hard drives and optical drives, as well as a floppy disk controller.

Furthermore, the 82801BA provides interfaces for audio codecs, Ethernet controllers, and serial and parallel ports. It plays a crucial role in bridging the communication between the CPU and various lower-speed devices, contributing to the overall functionality and expandability of a system. Its integration on the motherboard simplifies the design and reduces the number of discrete chips required.