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The History of the Integrated Circuit

 

 

Our world is full of integrated circuits. You find several of them in computers. For example, most people have probably heard about the microprocessor. The microprocessor is an integrated circuit that processes all information in the computer. It keeps track of what keys are pressed and if the mouse has been moved. It counts numbers and runs programs, games and the operating system. Integrated circuits are also found in almost every modern electrical device such as cars, television sets, CD players, cellular phones, etc. But what is an integrated circuit and what is the history behind it?

Products & Services
Supervisory circuits and battery monitor chips are semiconductor devices that detect and monitor voltage levels in power supplies, microprocessors, and other systems. Search by Specification | Learn more about Supervisory Circuits and Battery Monitor Chips
System on a chip (SoC) devices are semiconductor chips with embedded components that make the chip a standalone system. Learn more about System on a Chip (SoC)
Chip antennas are semiconductor ICs used to collect or radiate electromagnetic waves. Learn more about Chip Antennas
LAN chips provide wireless local area network (LAN) connectivity in a system-on-chip platform. Learn more about LAN Chips
Microprocessor and IC programmers, compilers and debuggers are programs that translate high-level language codes into assembly (machine) code, or track and correct errors (bugs) in program code. Learn more about Microprocessor and IC Programmers, Compilers and Debuggers
Product Announcements
Indukey North America LLC - Silicon Keyboard...
InduKey offers a silicon keyboard that features twenty function keys and comfortably soft tactile feedback... (read more)
Atmel Corporation - Integrated Touch and Slide Control Panel IC
The QT2160 implements 16 touch channels and a slider (using 2 to 8 channels) as well as LED control, IO expansion and a 2-wire serial interface, compatible to the industry standard I²C bus. The IC is... (read more)
Melexis, Inc. - Integrated Light Sensor Exceeds 15 Year Lifetime
The MLX75305 Light-to-Voltage SensorEyeCTM is an integrated sensor IC specifically designed for high volume automotive, industrial and consumer applications. The light sensor's output gives a voltage... (read more)
Honeywell - HMC5843 -- 3-Axis Compass IC magnetic sensor
The Honeywell HMC5843 offers a precision 3-axis magnetic sensor trio coupled to a 12-bit ADC with an I2C output in a miniature surface mount package. (read more)
Honeywell - Radiation Hardened Electronics and Technology
Honeywell's radiation hardened electronics and radiation technology provide military aerospace system designers a strategically hardened family of products to reduce risks in space and ensure mission... (read more)
Honeywell - Radiation Hardened Electronics
Honeywell's radiation hardened electronics and radiation technology provide military aerospace system designers a strategically hardened family of products to reduce risks in space and ensure mission... (read more)
Honeywell - RF Switches - High Performance, Ultra Miniature
Honeywell, the leading advanced microwave components manufacturer, offers high performance radio frequency (RF) electronic circuit designs, innovative products and reliable solutions required in the... (read more)
Tyco Electronics, Raychem Circuit Protection Products - Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection devices
MENLO PARK, CA - Sept. 15, 2009 - Tyco Electronics announced today the addition of three new devices to its line of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection devices. The 0201-sized Silicon ESD (SESD)... (read more)
Fotronic Corporation / Test Equipment Depot - GFC-8131H Frequency Counter
Frequency counters are digital indicating meters for accurate measurement and display of square wave and pulse input signals. There are several types of frequency counters which differ in frequency... (read more)
 
Topics of Interest
Over the last few decades there have been many advances in technology in our homes. Electronic technology has been available for almost a century, and from an early stage made its impact in the home... (Read More)
Portability is and will continue to be one of the key features driving the design and development of new electronic equipment. Existing products such as palmtop computers, cellular phones and data... (Read More)
History and Development of the Program SmartSketch was a drawing application originally developed in the early 1990s by Jonathan Gay and his company Future Splash, which developed into an animation... (Read More)
Overview The miniaturization of circuit boards and cards, made possible with higher-density integrated circuits and surface-mount technology (SMT), has been an ongoing trend in electronic packaging. (Read More)
Mobile.   There are three subcategories of mobile telephones for use behind a PBX system: cordless, premises wireless, and cellular. PBX cordless telephones can be proprietary or standard... (Read More)
See more product announcements for Supervisory Circuits and Battery Monitor Chips
10-Channel Constant Current LED Driver

10-Channel Constant Current LED Driver
PREMA Semiconductor GmbH


Serial 12V-LED Driver for up to three LEDs

Serial 12V-LED Driver for up to three LEDs
PREMA Semiconductor GmbH


40V Buck Converter for Power LEDs - PR4101

40V Buck Converter for Power LEDs - PR4101
PREMA Semiconductor GmbH


11 See more product announcements for Supervisory Circuits and Battery Monitor Chips