Integrated Circuits

There are so many changes taking place in the field of technology from time to time. We can take the example of the computer used in ancient times, which was so big that it could hold 100 laptops today. How is it possible? The answer to this is integrated circuits. In this article, we will study integrated circuits, their types, and their applications.

Also Check: Conductor & Insulator

What is an Integrated Circuit?

An integrated circuit (IC) is like a tiny electronic city on a chip. It’s a small piece of material, often silicon, with all sorts of electronic parts (like transistors and resistors) packed closely together. These parts work together to perform specific tasks, and you can find integrated circuits in things like computers, phones, and other electronic devices.

Imagine it as a mini electronic puzzle where all the pieces are on a single chip. This compact design makes devices smaller, more powerful, and efficient. Integrated circuits play a crucial role in modern electronics by allowing various functions to happen in a small space, making our gadgets smarter and more capable.

Integrated Circuits were invented in 1950 by Jack Billy and Robert Noyce.

Also Check: Insulator

Integrated Circuits are used in every appliance that we use today, like in television, computers, mobiles and also in some toys.

Different types of Integrated circuit chips

Based upon planned use, there are three different types of Integrated Circuits. These are – digital integrated circuits, mixed integrated circuits and analogue integrated circuits. Let’s study about these one by one:

Digital Integrated Circuits

Digitally integrated circuit chips work only on some particular levels. These do not work on all the signal amplitude levels. The design of these chips consists of several digital logic flip flops, multiplexers, gates, and circuit elements. Operation of the logic gate takes place with digital input data and binary input data of 0 and 1

Uses: These circuits are used in microprocessors, computer networks, computers, digital signal processors and frequency counters.

Also Check: Telescope

Analog Integrated Circuits

• Analog Integrated circuits come to work only over a signal range that would be constant.
• Analog Integrated circuits are further divided into two parts – Radio frequency integrated circuits and linear integrated circuits.
• Mostly in the case where the signals are over long range, there is a non-linear relation between the current and the voltage.
• These are used in regulators, filters and oscillators.

Mixed Integrated Circuits

Mixed integrated circuits are a mixture of digital and analogue integrated circuits. These circuits work both ways – analogue to digital converters and digital to analogue converters. Also called as DAC and ADC converters.

Other varieties of Integrated Circuits are discussed below:

• From logic gates, logic circuits that work with binary output and input are made.
• For calculating time, times ICs are used.
• Operational amplifiers are used for audio amplification.
• Audio amplifiers are used for audio amplification in television and speakers.
• For switch operations, switching integrated circuits are used.

Also Check: Transformer

How does an integrated circuit work?

There is a similarity in the working of integrated circuits and amplifiers, timers, microprocessors, oscillators and computer memory. The integrated circuit is composed of Silicon. It is a small wafer. This wafer consists of many components, for example, resistors, transistors, capacitors etc. Different calculations are done through these components that can store data through digital or analogue technology.

Digital Integrated circuits work with logic gates with the values one and zero only.

Analogue-integrated circuits work with permanent values.

Also Check: Digital Electronics

How are integrated circuits made?

A raw compound such as silicon is chemically treated to make a chip. It has different electrical properties.

Advantages Of Integrated Circuits

There are many advantages of integrated circuits as discussed below:

• There is a reduction in power consumption.
• Operation speed is increased.
• Function performance is better.
• There is a reduction in cost too.

Disadvantages of Integrated Circuits

• As we know that the size of an integrated circuit is small, dissipation of heat is not possible when the current is increased.
• Incorporation of inductors and transformers is not possible.

Applications of Integrated Circuits

There are various equipment or materials in which integrated circuits are used. These are:

Wristwatches, radar, computers, juice makers, television, logic devices, video processors, memory devices, audio amplifiers, radio frequency decoders and encoders, microwave amplifiers, voltage regulators, small signal amplifiers, calculator chips, microcontrollers, clock chips, counters, timers, memory chips, temperature sensors, flip flops.

Important classifications of integrated circuits

Integrated circuits are classified on the basis of number of gates per chip and their chip size. These are classified as SSI, MSI, LSI and VLSI.

• SSI (small scale integration ): 3 to 30 gates/ chip.
• MSI ( medium scale integration): 130 to 300 gates/chip.
• LSI (large scale integration): 300 to 3000 gates/chip.
• VLSI (very large scale integration): 3 to 30 gates/chip

Integrated Circuits FAQs

What are the elements of integrated circuits?

The elements of integrated circuit include resistors, diodes, transistors, capacitors and conducting pathways.

What are the advantages of Integrated circuits?

The advantages of integrated circuits are: 1. They are smaller in size as compared to other circuits. 2. Reduction of cost if produced on large scales. 3. Weight is less. 4. Less power is used as their size is small. 5. They are reliable.

Name some most common integrated circuits.

Timer integrated circuits, voltage regulators and operational amplifiers are some common integrated circuits.

Which generation of computers is related to integrated circuits?

The third generation of computers is related to integrated circuits.