An integrated circuit (integrated circuit) is a miniature electronic device or component, which is represented by the letters "IC" in a circuit. Using a certain process, components and wirings such as transistors, resistors, capacitors and inductors required in a circuit are interconnected, fabricated on a small or several small semiconductor wafers or dielectric substrates, and then packaged in a package. , into a microstructure with the required circuit functions.

All the components in the structure have formed a whole, which makes the electronic components take a big step towards miniaturization, low power consumption, intelligence and high reliability. Most applications in the semiconductor industry today are silicon-based integrated circuits.

1. According to functional structure

Integrated circuits, also known as ICs, can be divided into three categories: analog integrated circuits, digital integrated circuits, and digital/analog hybrid integrated circuits according to their functions and structures.

Analog integrated circuits, also known as linear circuits, are used to generate, amplify and process various analog signals (referring to signals whose amplitude varies with time). Its input signal and output signal are proportional. Digital integrated circuits are used to generate, amplify and process various digital signals (referring to signals with discrete values ​​in time and amplitude).

2. According to the production process

Integrated circuits can be divided into semiconductor integrated circuits and film integrated circuits according to the manufacturing process. Among them, film integrated circuits are further divided into thick film integrated circuits and thin film integrated circuits.

3. According to the level of integration

SSIC Small scale integrated circuits

MSIC medium scale integrated circuits

LSIC Large scale integrated circuits (large scale integrated circuits)

VLSIC Very large scale integrated circuits

ULSIC Ultra large scale integrated circuits (ultra large scale integrated circuits)

GSIC giga scale integrated circuits, also known as very large scale integrated circuits or very large scale integrated circuits.

4. Different conductivity types

Integrated circuits can be divided into bipolar integrated circuits and unipolar integrated circuits according to their conductivity types, both of which are digital integrated circuits.

The production process of bipolar integrated circuits is complex and the power consumption is relatively large, which means that the integrated circuits have TTL, ECL, HTL, LST-TL, STTL and other types. The production process of unipolar integrated circuits is simple, the power consumption is also low, and it is easy to be made into large-scale integrated circuits. The representative integrated circuits are CMOS, NMOS, PMOS and other types.

5. By use

Integrated circuits can be divided into integrated circuits for TV sets, integrated circuits for audio, integrated circuits for DVD players, integrated circuits for video recorders, integrated circuits for computers (microcomputers), integrated circuits for electronic organs, integrated circuits for communication, and integrated circuits for cameras. Circuits, remote control integrated circuits, language integrated circuits, integrated circuits for alarms and various special integrated circuits.

6. By application field

Integrated circuits can be divided into standard general-purpose integrated circuits and application-specific integrated circuits according to application fields.

The role of integrated circuit chips

1. Reduce the use of components.

2. Product performance has been effectively improved. Assembling the components together not only reduces the interference of external electrical signals, but also greatly improves the circuit design and improves the running speed.

3. It is more convenient to use.