Microelectronics and microminiaturization

The intensive effort of electronics to increase the reliability and performance of its products while reducing their size and cost led to the results that hardly anyone could predict. The evolution of electronic technology is sometimes called a revolution: a quantitative change in technology gave rise to qualitative change in human capabilities. There appeared a new brunch of science – microelectronics.

Microelectronics embraces electronics connected with the realization of electronic circuits, systems and subsystems from very small electronic devices. Microelectronics is a name for extremely small electronic components and circuit assemblies, made by film or semiconductor techniques. A microelectronic technology reduced transistors and other circuit elements to dimensions almost invisible to unaided eye. The point of this extraordinary miniaturization is to make circuits long-lasting, low in cost, and capable of performing electronic function at extremely high speed. It is known that the speed of response depends on the size of transistor: the smaller the transistor, the faster it is. The smaller the computer, the faster it can work.

One more advantage of microelectronics is that smaller devices consume less power. In space satellites and spaceships this is a very important factor.

Another benefit resulting from microelectronics is the reduction of distances between circuit components. Packing density increased with the appearance of small-scale integrated circuit, medium-scale IC, large-scale IC and very-large-scale IC. The change in scale was measured by the number of transistors on a chip. There appeared a new type of integrated circuits, microwave integrated circuit. The evolution of microwave IC began with the development of planar transmission lines. Then new IC components in a fineline transmission line appeared. Other more exotic techniques, such as dielectric waveguide integrated circuits emerged.

Microelectronic technique is continuing to displace other modes. Circuit patterns are being formed with radiation having wavelength shorter than those of light.

Electronics has extended man’s intellectual power. Microelectronics extends that power still further.

Vocabulary:

performance – робоча характеристика, параметри, швидкодія, продуктивність

to predict – прогнозувати

capability – здатність, можливість

to embrace – охоплювати

circuit assembly – збирання схеми

film technique – плівкова технологія (метод, спосіб)

invisible to unaided eye – невидимий неозброєному оку

to react – реагувати

speed of response – швидкість реакції (відгуку)

advantage / disadvantage – перевага / недолік

benefit – вигода, користь, приносити користь

to result from – виникати, відбуватися в результаті

packing density – щільність упаковки

small-scale integrated circuit – мала інтегральна схема (МІС)

medium-scale IС – середня інтегральна схема (СІС)

large-scale IС – велика інтегральна схема (ВІС)

very-large-scale IС – надвелика інтегральна схема (НВІС)

fineline – прецизійний, з елементами зменшених розмірів

transmission line – лінія передачі

waveguide – хвилевід

to emerge – з’являтися, виникати

to displace – пересувати, зміщати

mode – вид, метод, спосіб роботи

pattern – шаблон, зразок, зображення

power – потужність, енергія, живлення, продуктивність, швидкодія, можливість