Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) is a logic family and manufacturing process that pairs p-type and n-type MOSFETs in a symmetrical arrangement. Because one transistor in the pair is always off in steady state, CMOS circuits draw almost zero static power, dissipating energy primarily when switching states. This low power consumption and high noise immunity make it the foundation of nearly all microprocessors and memory chips.
The new microcontroller uses a 28-nanometer CMOS process to hit our power targets.
Related terms
MOSFET
A metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor is a voltage-controlled switch used to amplify or switch electronic signals.
IC
A complete electronic circuit manufactured on a single piece of semiconductor material.
nMOS
A type of field-effect transistor that uses negatively charged electrons as the primary charge carriers.
pMOS
A field-effect transistor that uses positive charge carriers to conduct current.