The integrated circuit function is mainly to offer high-level functions and tasks like amplification, complex digital calculations i.e. microprocessors, and signal processing. Just a few electronic circuits don’t utilize a microchip, a chip, or an integrated circuit. In addition, the integrated circuit function includes performance enhancement, cost reduction, and miniaturization among others.
In this article, we will be explaining the different integrated circuit functions and how they are beneficial to humans.
What is an Integrated Circuit?
This is also referred to as the microelectronic circuit or chip, as well as the assembly of different electronic components, which are fabricated to make just one unit. In this unit, active devices (miniaturized) like diodes and transistors as well as passive devices e.g. resistors and capacitors as well as their interconnections are built on the thin semiconductor material such as silicon.
One unique integrated circuit could have about millions of diodes, transistors, capacitors, and resistors. Also, it is possible to include more components onto it. All the components included will be interconnected via a connection of different semiconductor wafers, copper, silicon, and other materials.
Functions of the Integrated Circuit
Provides relatively cheap option
Regarding cost reduction, the integrated circuit function offers a cheap option to the gathering of large amounts of electrical and semiconductor parts that are then mounted on the printed circuit board and then soldered.
Also, if the electronics design has to integrate discrete components in, the count of the parts could be about 250. However, with the use of integrated circuits, these parts can be reduced to just 10. What this means is that there has been a drop in the total number of materials and all the parts of the entire process of production has been largely simplified. By choosing the most appropriate integrated circuit, you can add new features making use of less resources.
Performance Enhancement
This integrated circuit function is possible due to the circuit implementation that is present in the chip. Different applications for radio frequency were a bit costly to integrate as the discrete components.
Anytime a feature has high demand, the semiconductor industry usually finds ways of getting some funding as well as building some integrated circuits for some special applications. Take for instance, after the introduction of sound cards for PCs, many manufacturers chose to build MSI (medium-scale integration chips.
This supported different sound applications for personal computers. Also, we can see some performance enhancement in the reduced consumption of power to achieve the same results. This leads to higher efficiency of power.
In the cell phones, computers, as well as other digital devices, you will find other microcomputers and integrated circuits. In the hand-held gadget for gaming, a graphics processor is present, which helps in driving colored screens. Also, the processor is an LSI (large scale integration) chip having its own low-power miniaturized super digital processing system. The main computer, which is another computer, serves to run the user applications.
Optimize Product manufacturing
The usual trend in electronics is the miniaturization of circuits. This has been the case even though the bottom line expenses are low.
All well-known equipment will most times justify the resources and amount spent and invested in the conceptualization, the designing, as well as the implementation of the new integrated circuits that should optimize product manufacturing.
With the trend involved in miniaturization, it seems that the possibilities of offering electronic products that will function and perform much better in virtually all aspects are endless.
Serve as power regulators, amplifiers, and more
Another integrated circuit function is that it can serve as signal processors, power regulators, and amplifiers. The range of these integrated circuits is usually from 8-pin to around 16-pin packages. The most common of all the packages has about two pin rows. Therefore a 20 pin dual in line package will feature two rows of about ten pins.
Most times, the bigger chips are useful. Also, most times digital applications that are complex like application specific or customized integrated circuit. This can contain a whole microcomputer for different applications in power control, automation, and telecommunication.
Other uses and functions
Integrated circuit function can be found in the following
- Logic instruments and memory storage device
- Smartwatches as well as other wearables
- Amplifiers and processors for audio and video respectively
- Smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions
- Microphones, headphones, as well as speakers, which includes smart speakers like Google Home and Amazon Echo
- Decoders and encoders that serves radio frequency
- Video game controllers and consoles, as well as digital cameras
What are the Benefits of Using Integrated Circuits?
Integrated circuits can serve as a counter, oscillator, timer, computer memory microprocessor, or amplifier. These are the advantages of the integrated circuit.
- Whenever a failure occurs, you will be able to replace the integrated circuit assembly with ease
- Also, they are very small and most times, they depend on consuming low power more
- Where capacitance and parasitic effects are out of the picture, you will be able to boost the integrated circuit’s speed
- During the operation of tiny signals, the integrated circuits are ideal with a greater capacity to function in very high temperature environments
- There are some benefits when you match close component as well as a coefficient of temperature as a result of bulk production
How Does the Integrated Circuit Function?
The integrated circuit functions in a similar way as the timer, microprocessor, or oscillator. The components included in the integrated circuits perform different functions in order to achieve a particular process.
Logic gates functioning in the binary form see its use in integrated circuits. Also, the low signals that are sent through a digital integrated circuit into the component deliver a value of zero. Furthermore, high signals give a value of one.
In addition, you will get permanent values for the linear and analog integrated circuit assemblies. The way many different components are connected to the linear integrated circuits will be able to make use of any value, as well as output a different value.
Conclusion
From the integrated circuit function, it is clear what we can expect from them. They have great benefits as well and are applicable in different fields.
