Integrated Circuits

• Objectives– At the completion of this unit, the student

should be able to:• Explain the importance of integrated circuits.

• Identify advantages and disadvantages of integrated circuits.

• Identify the major components of an integrated circuit.

• Describe the four processes used to construct integrated circuits.

• Identify the major integrated circuit packages.

• List the families of integrated circuits.

• Integrated circuits– A complete electronic circuit in a package no

larger than that of a conventional low-power transistor.

– Consist of diodes, transistors, resistors, and capacitors.

– Produced with the same technology and materials used in making transistors and other semiconductor devices.

• Advantages of integrated circuits:– They are small in size, approximately one-

eighth of an inch square.– Consume less power.– Operate at higher speeds.– More reliable.– Many are produced at the same time.– Reduce the number of parts needed to construct

electronic equipment.

• Disadvantages of integrated circuits:– Cannot handle large amounts of current or

voltage.– Only four types of components are included.

• diodes

• transistors

• resistors

• capacitors

– They cannot be repaired.

• Integrated circuits are classified according to their construction techniques.– Monolithic– Thin-film– Thick-film– Hybrid

• Integrated circuit packaging– Packages are designed to protect the circuits

• from moisture.

• from dust.

• from other contaminants.

– Most popular design is the dual-inline package.• Several sizes:

– small scale integration (SSI).

– medium scale integration (MSI).

– large scale integration (LSI).

– very large scale integration (VLSI).

• Made of ceramic or plastic– plastic is less expensive.

– suitable for applications where operating temperature falls between 0 to 70 degrees Celsius.

– ceramic is more expensive.

– offers better protection.

– operate at a wider temperature range (-55 to +125 degrees Celsius).

– recommended for military, aerospace, and severe industrial applications.

• In Summary– Integrated circuits are popular because they:

• Are reliable with complex circuits• Consume little power• Are small and lighter• Are economical to produce• Provide new and better solutions to problems

– They cannot handle large amounts of current or voltage.

– Integrated circuits use only:• Diodes• Transistors• Resistors• Capacitors

– They cannot be repaired, only replaced.– They are constructed by four techniques:

• Monolithic• Thin-film

• Thick-film

• Hybrid

– The most popular circuit package used is the DIP (dual-inline package).

– Packages are made of plastic or ceramic.• Plastic is most often used.