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Unit 4 Microelectronics
Unit 4 Microelectronics
Passage A Introduction to Microelectronics
Passage B The Simple Atom, Conductors,
Insulators and Semiconductors
Passage C Diode and Transistor
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Unit 4 Microelectronics Passage A Introduction to Microelectronics
The exploring of space and the development of earth satellites has increased the importance of reducing the size and weight of electronic circuits. Also, even though electricity flows quite rapidly in computers the time delay of the signal in the interconnections between electronic components is an important consideration. If the interconnections are reduced in size, a computer can perform operations at a faster speed. Microelectronics involves the miniaturization of regular electronic circuits. A complete electronic circuit, an operational amplifier for example, which contains large numbers of individual interconnected components, such as diodes resistors, transistors, etc. may be formed on a very small single substrate. The complete miniaturized circuit is then called an integrated circuit.
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Unit 4 Microelectronics
Integrated circuits are small, light, rugged, and reliable. They
require less power and lower voltages than equivalent
macroscopic circuits; consequently they operate at lower
temperatures, and individual components may be close together
without exceeding the operating temperature limit. Relatively
little stray capacitance and short time delays are produced because
of the short interconnections between the individual components
in IC. Maintenance is simplified because if a component of the IC
fails the complete IC is usually replaced. Mass production
techniques of plane technology have reduced the cost of many IC
so that they are almost as inexpensive as a single transistor.
Eventually most conventional circuits will be replaced by IC.
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Unit 4 Microelectronics
There are two types of basic integrated circuit: monolithic
integrated circuit and the thin or thick film. Monolithic IC are
constructed in a single substrate of single crystal semiconductor,
usually silicon. Thin or thick films IC are formed on the surface of
an insulating material such as glass or a ceramic. Hybrid IC
contains more than a single substrate, the term hybrid is also
applied to combinations of monolithic and thin or thick film IC.
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Unit 4 Microelectronics Integrated circuits are also classified according to their functions.
Digital or logical IC are used as switches, they are either on or off. In