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Integrated Circuit or IC : Advantages, Disadvantages and Types

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Many modern technologies, such as computers and smartphones, are built on the principles of Physics Topics such as quantum mechanics and information theory.

What are the Different Types of IC?

Until recently, it was customary to construct electronic circuits with passive components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors and active components such as diodes and transistors connected by conducting wires. In practice, however such circuits have two major disadvantages.

i) Connection problem: The connection between the various components has to be done necessarily by soldering the wire to the element. Naturally there are chances of faulty soldering leading to the entire circuit being rendered useless. This defect is also very difficult to remove, because it is practically impossible to locate the defective soldering joints.
Integrated Circuit or IC Advantages and Disadvantages 1

ii) Size of the circuit: Most often complex electronic circuits comprising of a large number of elements are necessary. This causes an unusual increase in the size and production cost of the electronic instrument.

In later years, integrated circuit (IC) was invented by physicist J C Kilby played a remarkable role in removing these disadvantages in manufacturing electronic circuits. An IC is just a small bit of silicon crystal, or ‘chip’

The relative advantages and disadvantages of an IC over discrete electronic circuits are briefly stated below:

Advantages of IC:

  1. No soldering is necessary. The entire connection is built up inside the IC. Hence it Is very reliable.
  2. It is possible to build up a large number of electronic components within a single chip. IC used in INTEL PENTIUM microprocessor consists of more than ten lakh electronic components.
  3. Due to its small size, the costing is very low. Hence replacement is better than repairing of a defective element.
  4. Due to small size and low costing, sufficiently complex circuits are possible to construct using IC—which also increases the efficiency of the circuits.

Disadvantages of IC:

  1. It is impossible to fabricate transformers or any other kind of inductor onto the integrated circuits.
  2. Power rating of IC is sufficiently low; besides this, it cannot withstand high fluctuation of voltage or temperature.
  3. If bulk production is not done instead of small-scale production, it is not commercially viable. Moreover, advance technology is essential for production of perfect ICs.

Still, it can be safely remarked that the advantages of IC far outweigh the disadvantages which are being brought under effective control with the help of superior technology.

Classification of IC:

On the basis of their working principle and uses, ICs are classified into two types.

i) Linear or analogue IC : Here the relation between input and output is linear. Also the input and output voltages and currents change continually within a certain range. Linear IC is used in amplifier, oscillator and especially in operational amplifier (OPAMP).

ii) Digital IC : In this type, input and output voltages can have only two states — either high or low. No continuous change occurs in this voltage or current. Digital IC is used in simple digital circuits, microprocessors etc.