Understanding Integrated Circuits: Functions, Uses, and Schematics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around integrated circuits (ICs), exploring their functions, uses, historical context, and schematics. Participants share insights into the evolution of ICs and their applications in various technologies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Historical
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant defines integrated circuits as semiconductor devices built on a monolithic wafer, highlighting their diverse applications from logic gates to microprocessors.
  • Another participant provides a historical overview, mentioning early ICs like linear amplifiers and the HP-35 pocket calculator.
  • A participant expresses surprise that certain early logic circuits, specifically resistor-transistor logic (RTL), were not mentioned in the provided Wikipedia link, sharing personal experiences of building circuits with RTL.
  • Further discussion includes references to different logic families, such as DTL and TTL, and their historical significance in computing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share a general interest in the history and functionality of integrated circuits, but there is no consensus on the completeness of the historical information provided, particularly regarding early logic circuits.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific historical examples and personal anecdotes, which may not cover all significant developments in integrated circuits. The discussion includes varying levels of technical detail and personal recollections that may influence perspectives.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in the history and technical aspects of integrated circuits, as well as those looking to understand their applications in modern technology.

Benjamin113
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What exactly are integrated circuits?
I would like to know their functions, uses, etc. Schematics would be nice, too.
 
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Integrated circuit is a broad category of semiconductor devices in which an entire circuit is built on a monolithic (single crystal) semiconductor wafer, usually silicon. They have an extremely broad variety of uses from simple logic gates to computer microprocessors. ICs are more commonly known as "chips" and you've probably seen them without even knowing it. They come in a wide variety of packages and form factors:

http://www.allproducts.com/ee/hongjue/Product-2008610151847-s.jpg
 
I see...
Thanks for the explanation.
And for the image. I realize now that I have seen them before.
 
Here is a short history of integrated circuits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit
Some of the first integrated circuits included linear amplifiers by Fairchild (uA702, uA741) and Texas Instruments TTL series quad digital NAND gates SN7400 (output is low only if both inputs are high), which were available in the late 1960's. The first "pocket calculator", the famous HP-35 developed by Hewlett Packard, which came out about 1972. See (2.5 MB file)
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/abouthp/histnfacts/museum/personalsystems/0023/other/0023hpjournal01.pdf
 
I was surprised that the wiki link you gave Bob didn't mention some of the oldest logic integrated circuits. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistor%E2%80%93transistor_logic" When I was a teenager, an old ham (instrument tech by profession) took me under his wing and thought me how to build circuits. One of the first things we worked with were RTL circuits. We would bread-board them up and check out their logic functions. We were marveled as to how cool they were.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
dlgoff said:
I was surprised that the wiki link you gave Bob didn't mention some of the oldest logic integrated circuits. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistor%E2%80%93transistor_logic" When I was a teenager, an old ham (instrument tech by profession) took me under his wing and thought me how to build circuits. One of the first things we worked with were RTL circuits. We would bread-board them up and check out their logic functions. We were marveled as to how cool they were.
Yeah, I sure remember the old RTL (3 volt logic), and the DTL (5 volt logic) also, but I didn't want to confuse the OP. TTL superceded them very quickly. I remember when the PDP-8 (with negative logic) went to TTL with +5 volt logic.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Bob S said:
I remember when the PDP-8 (with negative logic) ...
Hexadecimal. :eek: But that's a different story.
 

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