IC Full Form:The integrated circuit (IC) is a semiconductor device that integrates several electronic functions on a single chip. Its name comes from its ability to perform multiple tasks at once.An IC is composed of transistors, resistors, diodes, capacitors, inductors, and other components. These components are connected together using wires or traces. An IC can contain millions of these components.Key Terms:Integrated circuit (IC)An integrated circuit is a semiconductor device that integrates many electronic circuits on a single piece of silicon. An IC chip contains thousands of transistors and resistors, as well as various connections, which are known as “wires”. These wires are used to connect individual components together inside the chip. In addition, each wire carries electrical signals that control different parts of the chip. A typical modern microchip may have millions of these tiny transistors and resistors built onto a small square of silicon less than 1/10th of an inch on each side.Micro-ControllersMicrocontrollers (MCUs) are small computers that control everything from lights to motors, pumps, fans, valves, relays, and sensors. Microcontrollers are embedded into devices that have no input/output capabilities without them. MCUs are tiny processors that communicate with each other via serial ports and I/O pins. There are many different types of microcontrollers including PICs, AVRs, ARM, and others. These MCUs are programmed using the C language.TransistorThe transistor is a basic building block of electronics. It is a three-terminal device consisting of a collector, base, and emitter. When current flows from the collector to the emitter, the transistor turns on and provides a conductive path. Current flowing from the emitter to the base creates a voltage difference between the base and the emitter, thus turning off the transistor.ResistorA resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that limits the flow of electric current. Its purpose is to limit current where necessary and to provide a constant voltage at its terminals, regardless of how much current passes through it. Resistors are often used to set specific voltages, temperatures, or currents.CapacitorCapacitors store electricity temporarily. Unlike batteries, capacitors do not require recharging. Capacitors are commonly used as filters, decoupling elements, timing elements, and energy storage devices.DiodeA diode is a two-terminal electrical junction that permits direct current to pass in only one direction. Like a resistor, a diode consists of two metal contacts separated by a nonconducting layer called the dielectric. Diodes are widely used as switches, rectifiers, and protective elements.LEDLED stands for Light Emitting Diode, which is a type of solid-state lighting technology. LEDs use no warm filament material, so they emit little or no heat. They emit visible light across the entire spectrum of color, including red, blue, yellow, green, cyan, magenta, orange, and white.FETFET stands for Field Effect Transistor, which is a type of transistor. FETs are a major constituent of modern digital logic circuits. FETs are characterized by their wide input impedance and high input noise immunity.View QuizComplete LessonNext LessonReset Lesson