An integrated circuit packs transistors, resistors, and capacitors onto a tiny silicon die, which is then enclosed in a protective package with external connection pins. This monolithic construction allows for massive miniaturization, lower power consumption, and higher speed compared to circuits built from discrete parts. They range from simple logic gates to complex microprocessors containing billions of transistors.
The voltage regulator IC is running way too hot, we might need a bigger copper pour for the thermal pad.
Also heard as
- integrated circuit
- microchip
- chip
Related terms
Chip
A small piece of semiconducting material containing a complex integrated circuit.
Discrete component
A basic electronic part that houses a single active or passive circuit element.
Wafer
A highly polished slice of semiconductor material used as the foundation for fabricating integrated circuits.
Silicon lottery
The natural variance in manufacturing quality that dictates how far a specific chip can be overclocked.