Integrated Circuits:

An integrated circuit (IC) is a miniature, low cost electronic circuit consisting of active and passive components fabricated together on a single crystal of silicon. The active components are transistors and diodes and passive components are resistors and capacitors.

Advantages of integrated circuits:

Miniaturization and hence increased equipment density.

Cost reduction due to batch processing.

Increased system reliability due to the elimination of soldered joints.

Improved functional performance.

Matched devices.

Increased operating speeds.

Reduction in power consumption

Classification:

Integrated circuits can be classified into analog, digital and mixed signal (both analog and digital on the same chip). Based upon above requirement two different IC technology namely Monolithic Technology and Hybrid Technology have been developed. In monolithic IC ,all circuit components ,both active and passive elements and their interconnections are manufactured into or on top of a single chip of silicon. In hybrid circuits, separate component parts are attached to a ceramic substrate and interconnected by means of either metallization pattern or wire bounds.