Integrated Circuits

Introduction

Technology has advanced tremendously in recent years. For example, the first computers were the size of 1000 laptop computers, which we now use. What facilitated the change to more advanced yet compact computers? The answer is integrated circuits.

Previously, circuits were massive and were not shockproof, as they included many circuit components such as diodes, transistors, inductors and other components tied together with copper wires. In addition, the circuits were not trustworthy. As a result of the various components attached, these circuits were only suited for use in large machinery.

To which generation of computers are integrated circuits related? Let us first understand what integrated circuits are.

What does “integrated circuit” mean?

The most precise definition of integrated circuit is, a compact chip constructed of semiconductor material on which a complete circuit can be placed, is known as an integrated circuit.

Integrated circuit (IC), also known as a microchip, is an assembly of electronic components fabricated as a single unit, in which miniaturised active devices (such as transistors and diodes) and passive devices (such as capacitors and resistors), as well as their interconnections, are built upon a thin semiconductor substrate (typically silicon). 

Integrated circuits relate to the third generation of computers.

Types of integrated circuit

The integrated circuit can be classified into two types based on the nature of its input signals: analogue integrated circuits and digital integrated circuits.

Integrated circuits are used in almost all electrical and electronic devices, including mobile phones, laptops and televisions.

Let us know more about them in detail:

Digital circuit

A digital circuit is intended only to receive voltages of a specified range. The term “binary circuit” refers to a circuit that has only two states. The logic of Boolean algebra is used to construct circuits using binary numbers, with “on” and “off” signifying 1 and 0 (i.e., true and false).

Computers make use of these circuits. This circuit’s inputs are set to two levels rather than a range of continuous values. They include logical gates, which have input signals with low and high states of 0 and 1.

Analogue integrated circuits

Analog circuits, often known as linear integrated circuits, are the simplest ICs because they typically employ only a few components. Analog circuits are usually coupled to devices that gather signals from the environment or send signals back to it.

Audio-frequency and radio-frequency amplifiers employ linear or analogue circuitry.

Mixed integrated circuits

As the name implies, these circuits combine digital and analogue integrated circuits on a single chip. Analogue to digital converters, digital to analogue converters and timing/clock ICs are all functions of these integrated circuits.

Mixed ICs are the product of significant breakthroughs in integration technology. It is a large-scale technological advancement that has allowed various analogues, RF and digital functionalities to be integrated on a single chip.

Application of integrated circuit

Integrated circuits come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The integrated circuit has a wide range of applications, including:

• Wristwatches
• Video processors
• Memory devices
• Radar
• Computers
• Juice makers
• Microwave amplifier
• Televisions
• Logic devices
• Audio amplifiers
• Small-signal amplifiers
• Calculator chips
• Radiofrequency decoders and encoders
• Voltage regulators

Characteristics of integrated circuits 

Here is the list of the characteristics of integrated circuits: 

Materials

Semiconducting materials, which fall between good conductors like copper and insulators like plastic, are used in integrated circuits. The most popular material right now is silicon. Ultrapure silicon is mixed with minuscule, exact amounts of other elements to generate electronic materials with diverse properties.

Size

The integrated circuit chip might range from 1 square mm to 200 square mm and is enclosed in plastic packaging several times larger. Its thickness might range from a few millimetres to a fraction of a millimetre.

Integration

Individual silicon chips are used in discrete devices such as transistors and LEDs. Integrated circuits receive their name because they combine multiple devices on a single chip. Because the transistors on a chip are so tiny, many sub-functions that used to need various chips can now be performed by just one. A microcontroller, for example, is a single device that contains a complete CPU, memory and interface.

Packaging

It is impossible to handle the integrated circuit chip directly since it is too small and sensitive. Each chip is encased in a flat plastic or ceramic block, linked to a set of microscopic gold or aluminium wires. Metal pins on the outside of the block are connected to the wires inside. The pins provide a secure mechanical and electrical connection to other system components. The plastic block protects the IC chip and helps keep it cool. Usually, the manufacturer’s name and part number are printed on the top.

ICs are packaged in a variety of ways. A dual-inline package, or DIP, is used for simple chips. There are four, seven, eight or more pins on each side of these lengthy rectangles. Designers have introduced extra pins as chip complexity has increased.

Density

Some computer chips’ transistors measured 45 nanometers (billionths of a metre) on each side in 2009. There are more than 100 million transistors on these chips. Moore’s Law describes how the semiconductor industry has doubled the number of transistors on a chip every two years since the 1960s. The chip’s functionality increases as the transistor count increases.

Conclusion

Over the years, integrated circuits have shrunk to become more compact and concise. Today, they have become an indispensable part of the electrical and electronic device manufacture process.