Integrated Circuits come in different types. This classification was done using different criteria. In this article, we will be giving you details about the types of integrated circuit and what they mean?
We will discuss the main types, as well as the other types of integrated circuits. This all depends on the application you wish to use them for.
Different Types of Integrated Circuits
With respect to the specific application, you can classify the IC as digital, analog, and mixed integrated circuits.
Digital Integrated Circuits
These are integrated circuits, which only operates at some defined levels rather than operating the overall and general levels of the signal amplitude. Furthermore, you can design them by making use of multiple numbers of multiplexers, digital logic gates, flip flops, as well as other circuits’ electronic components.
In addition, the digital ICs are usually used in microprocessors, computers, computer networks, digital signal processors, and in frequency counters. Digital ICs also come in different types, these include memory chips, programmable ICs, interface ICs, power management ICs, and logic ICs.
Analog Integrated Circuits
These are integrated circuits, which operates over a continuous signal range. You can subdivide the analog ICs into Linear ICs and Radio Frequency ICs. The fact is, the relationship formed between the current and voltage could be a nonlinear one in some specific cases over a very long range of a constant analog signal.
The analog IC that is in frequent use is the operational amplifier. You can simply call it an op-amp. This I just like the usual differential amplifier, however, this has an extremely high gain in voltage. Furthermore, it is made up of a few transistors in contrast to the digital Integrated Circuits. It is also useful in developing the analog application-specific ICs (analog ASICs), and you make use of computerized tools for simulation.
Linear Integrated Circuits
There is a linear IC in a specific analog integrated circuit, when there is a linear relation present among its voltage and the current.
Radio Frequency ICs Integrated Circuits
In the analog IC, when there is a non-linear relationship present among the current and voltage then it is referred to as radiofrequency ICs.
Mixed Integrated Circuits
Mixed ICs result when you combine the digital and analog ICs on one chip. The mixed ICs serve as clock/timing ICs, Analog to Digital converters, and Digital to Analog converters. The mixed-signal Systems-on-a-chip has to do with the advances that the integration technology has seen. This enables the integration of multiple analogs, digital, as well as RF functions on one chip.
General Types of Integrated Circuits
Logic Circuits
The logic circuits are ICs that are designed making use of logic gates, which function with binary output and input (1 or 0). These logic circuits are frequently used as the decision-makers.
With respect to the truth or logic table of logic gates, the connected logic gates in the integrated circuit gives a specific output with respect to the circuit that has been connected in the IC. This output can then be useful in handling specific tasks.
Comparators
Comparator ICs are useful and serve in comparing the inputs. This then helps in producing an output, which is based on the comparison of the integrated circuit (IC).
Switching ICs
You can design the Switching ICs making use of transistors. These switching ICs are useful in performing different switching operations.
Audio Amplifiers
Audio amplifiers are included among the different integrated circuits and are useful in amplifying the audio. They are specifically useful in television circuits, audio speakers, and more.
CMOS Integrated Circuit
These are very useful in many different applications. This is due to their capabilities such as lesser threshold voltage, as well as low-power consumption.
The CMOS IC also includes N-MOS and P-MOS devices that are jointly fabricated on the similar chip. This IC’s structure is also a Polysilicon gate, which helps in decreasing the threshold voltage of the device. This allows the process to happen at levels of low voltage.
Voltage Regulator Integrated Circuits (ICs)
Also, this integrated circuit offers a DC output that is stable despite all the changes present in the DC input, the most frequently used regulators here are uA723, LM309, 78XX, and LM105 ICs.
Operational Amplifiers
This type of integrated circuit is useful and is just like the audio amplifiers that are useful in the amplification of audio. Furthermore, the op-amps are also useful for different amplification purposes. In addition, they work in a similar fashion to transistor amplifier circuits.
Timer ICs
The Timers are known as integrated circuits on a special purpose, which are useful for the counting as well as tracking the time for the intended applications.
Asides from this, this small-scale integration is made up of some transistors (a few of them, which could be tens of thousands present on the chip. In addition, this type of integrated circuits play a very significant role in the early projects related to aerospace.
Furthermore, the medium-scale integration is made up of some transistors present on the integrated circuit chip, which was developed during the 1960s. This ensures better economy as well as benefits in contrast to the SSI integrated circuits.
The large-scale Integration is made up of many transistors (thousands) present on the chip and having a similar economy as the medium-scale ICs. Furthermore, the first calculator chips, microprocessor, as well as 1Kbit RAMs which came to be in the 1970s included less than 4000 transistors. In addition, the very large-scale Integration is made up of transistors (about hundreds to billions) This happened around 1980s – 2009.
Furthermore, Ultra-large scale integration is made up of over a million transistors. Later, the SoC (system on a chip), wafer-scale integration, as well as an integrated circuit of three dimensions came to be.
You can treat all these as integrated technology generations. You can also classify the ICs with respect to the packing technology and the process of fabrication. Also, there are many types of integrated circuits, among which it can serve as a counter, timer, amplifier, register, logic gate, oscillator, microprocessor, adder, etc.
Conclusion
These are the different types of integrated circuits and each comes with its own unique function. Also, it depends on the application you want to use it for.
