microcircuit
Miniaturized electronic pathway
A microcircuit is a miniaturized electronic circuit, typically etched onto a semiconductor chip.
The term encompasses integrated circuits and similar compact assemblies where components like transistors, resistors, and capacitors occupy a tiny substrate: The device relies on a single microcircuit smaller than a fingernail.
Microcircuitry revolutionized electronics by replacing bulky vacuum tubes and discrete components.
Light-transfers patterns onto silicon
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- waferThin crisp disk
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
- dopingProhibited athletic drug use
deposition · diffusion · oxidation · metallization · cleanroom · mask · annealing · die
Semiconductor signal switch
- resistorCurrent-limiting circuit element
- capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
- inductorCoil storing magnetic energy
- diodeOne-way semiconductor
logic gate · interconnect · via · trace · contact · substrate · channel · electrode
Metalloid in electronics
- germaniumAtomic number thirty-two
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- aluminumElement thirteen
- goldElement seventy-nine
polysilicon · nitride · tungsten · tantalum · photoresist · sapphire
Reducing physical scale significantly
- integrationCombining into a whole
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
- performanceCarrying out a task
- power consumptionRate of electrical usage
heat dissipation · clock speed · latency · bandwidth · reliability · scalability · nanoscale · throughput
Component that executes instructions
- memoryMind's retention capacity
- sensorInput-detecting device
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
- controllerDevice directing a system
ASIC · microcontroller · DSP · power management · analog-to-digital · signal processing · embedded system · medical implant
photolithography
Light-transfers patterns onto silicon
doping · deposition · diffusion · oxidation · metallization · cleanroom · mask · annealing · die · yield
transistor
Semiconductor signal switch
- resistorCurrent-limiting circuit element
- capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
- inductorCoil storing magnetic energy
diode · logic gate · interconnect · via · trace · contact · substrate · channel · electrode · terminal
silicon
Metalloid in electronics
gold · polysilicon · nitride · tungsten · tantalum · photoresist · sapphire
miniaturization
Reducing physical scale significantly
- integrationCombining into a whole
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
- performanceCarrying out a task
power consumption · heat dissipation · clock speed · latency · bandwidth · reliability · scalability · nanoscale · throughput · voltage
processor
Component that executes instructions
- memoryMind's retention capacity
- sensorInput-detecting device
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
controller · ASIC · microcontroller · DSP · power management · analog-to-digital · signal processing · embedded system · medical implant · hearing aid
- neuroscienceneuron, MRI, brain, neurons, synapses
- Microelectronicsmicroprocessor, silicon chip, transistor, MEMS, die
- MicrodevicesMEMS, microsensor, micromachine, microprocessor, microcontroller
microcircuitbreadboard
Solderless circuit-building platform
perfboard · protoboard · lash-up · prototype