Categories of Electronic Devices

Electronic devices are either discrete devices or integrated circuits (IC s). Discrete devices perform a single function and include the following  

Integrated circuits (IC s) are circuits in which bipolar transistors, field-effect transistors (FET), resistors, capacitors, and their required connections are combined on a single chip of semiconductor material which is usually made of single-crystal silicon. 

The characteristics of modern integrated circuits can be summarized as follows  

With reduction in size comes reduction in intrinsic switching time and proportionally higher device speed. Present design speed is in the range of 100 MHz and is expected to reach 300 MHz or higher by the year 2000. 

Reduction in resistive and capacitive (RC) delays is continuing by the use of higher conductivity materials and improved ohmic contact. 

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Handbook of Chemical Vapor Deposition 2.2 Categories of Electronic Devices... 

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