What is an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit is a tiny electronic device or component. Using a certain process, the components such as transistors, resistors, capacitors and inductors required in a circuit are interconnected together, manufactured on a small or several small semiconductor wafers or dielectric substrates, and then packaged in a tube. , into microstructures with desired circuit functions.
All the components have formed a whole in structure, making the electronic components take a big step towards miniaturization, low power consumption, intelligence and high reliability. It is represented by the letter "IC" in the circuit.
The integrated circuit has evolved from the initial electron tube to the later transistor. The electronic components in the integrated circuit are developing towards miniaturization, and the components are also multiplying.
With the continuous emergence of various advanced packaging technologies such as copper interconnection, immersion lithography, and 3D packaging technologies, the initial processing line width of integrated circuits has been on the order of 10 microns, and the processing technology of mass-produced integrated circuits in 2018 has reached 7 Nano. At the same time, as the substrate of integrated circuits, the early diameter of silicon wafers has grown from the initial 1in (about 25.4mm) to the current 300mm (about 12in).
The working principle of integrated circuits can be briefly summarized into three points:
(1) Fabricate transistors directly on single crystal silicon
(2) The components are highly densely integrated, and the connections are getting thinner and thinner, which is now down to the nanometer level
(3) Lead the externally connected lines to the pins
Classification of integrated circuits
According to the function and structure of integrated circuits, they can be divided into three categories: analog integrated circuits, digital integrated circuits and digital-analog hybrid integrated circuits.
Analog integrated circuits are also called linear circuits, which are used to generate, amplify and process various analog signals (referring to signals whose amplitude changes with time, such as audio signals of semiconductor radios, tape signals of video recorders, etc.)
Digital integrated circuits are used to generate, amplify and process respective digital signals (referring to signals with discrete values in time and amplitude, such as mobile phones, digital cameras, computer CPUs, digital TV logic control and playback audio signals and video signals)
Microprocessor circuits
A microprocessor is a central processing unit composed of one or a few large-scale integrated circuits. These circuits perform the functions of a control unit and an arithmetic logic unit.
The microprocessor can complete operations such as fetching instructions, executing instructions, and exchanging information with external memory and logic components. It is the operation control part of the microcomputer. It can form a microcomputer with memory and peripheral circuit chips.
Compared with the traditional central processing unit, the microprocessor has the advantages of small size, light weight and easy modularization. The basic components of a microprocessor are: register file, arithmetic unit, timing control circuit, and data and address bus.
Microprocessors are ubiquitous, whether it is home appliances such as video recorders, smart washing machines, mobile phones, or automotive engine control, as well as CNC machine tools, missile precision guidance, etc., all have different types of microprocessors embedded in them. The microprocessor is not only the core component of a microcomputer, but also a key component of various digital smart devices.
Memory circuits
Storage chip is the specific application of the concept of embedded system chip in the storage industry. Therefore, whether it is a system chip or a memory chip, by embedding software in a single chip, it can achieve multi-function and high performance, as well as support for multiple protocols, multiple hardware and different applications.
The memory chip can quickly realize the integration of various storage functions into a single chip to ensure the high performance of the optimized system. This advantage will make the memory chip gradually be regarded as an ideal technology for online storage, near-line storage and remote disaster recovery platform.
Digital signal processors
Digital signal processors (DSP) are digital signal processing technology, and DSP chips are chips that can realize digital signal processing technology.
The interior of the DSP chip adopts the Harvard structure that separates the program and data, has a special hardware multiplier, widely uses pipeline operations, and provides special DSP instructions, which can be used to quickly implement various digital signal processing algorithms.
DSP chips are widely used in digital control and motion control applications, mainly including disk drive control, engine control, laser printer control, inkjet printer control, motor control, power system control, robot control, high-precision servo system control, CNC machine tools, etc.
Applications for low power consumption, handheld devices, and wireless terminals mainly include: mobile phones, PDAs, GPS, digital radios, etc.
Application Specific Integrated Circuit
Refers to integrated circuits designed and manufactured in response to specific user requirements and the needs of specific electronic systems. Using CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) and FPGA (Field Programmable Logic Gate Array) to carry out ASIC design is one of the most popular ways. Their commonality is that they all have user field programmable features and support boundary scan technology, but Both have their own characteristics in terms of integration, speed and programming methods.
Radio-frequency ICs
RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) is a new type of device that has emerged with the improvement of IC technology since the mid-1990s.
Radio frequency usually refers to high frequency, very high frequency and ultra high frequency, and its frequency is 300KHz-300GHz, which is the most active frequency band in the field of wireless communication. After the 20th century, wireless communication technology has developed by leaps and bounds, and radio frequency devices have rapidly replaced hybrid circuits using discrete semiconductor devices. These technologies are challenges for designers.
Monolithic microwave ICs
Monolithic microwave ICs are integrated circuit (IC) devices that operate at microwave frequencies (300 MHz to 300 GHz). These devices typically perform functions such as microwave mixing, power amplification, low noise amplification, and high frequency switching. Inputs and outputs on MMIC devices are typically matched to a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms. This makes them easier to use since cascaded MMICs do not require external matching networks. Also, most microwave test equipment is designed to operate in a 50 ohm environment.
Classified by process
Integrated circuits can be divided into semiconductor integrated circuits and thin film integrated circuits according to the manufacturing process
Thin film integrated circuits are divided into thick film integrated circuits and thin film integrated circuits
Classified by conductivity type
Integrated circuits can be divided into bipolar integrated circuits and unipolar integrated circuits according to the conductivity type. They are all digital integrated circuits.
The manufacturing process of bipolar integrated circuits is complicated, and the power consumption is relatively large. Representative integrated circuits include TTL, ECL, HTL, LST-TL, STTL and other types. The manufacturing process of unipolar integrated circuits is simple, the power consumption is also low, and it is easy to make large-scale integrated circuits. Representative integrated circuits include CMOS, NMOS, PMOS and other types.
