Integrated circuit: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:I8088.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Intel 8088 processor chip used in the original [[IBM compatible PC|IBM PC]] in 1983]] | [[Image:I8088.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Intel 8088 processor chip used in the original [[IBM compatible PC|IBM PC]] in 1983]] | ||
An '''integrated circuit''', or IC, is a [[ | An '''integrated circuit''', or IC, is a [[semiconductor]]-based electronic device, sometimes as small as a human fingernail, that contains many switching elements, or [[Electronic switch#Transistors|transistors]]. Integrated circuits are often referred to simply as ''chips''. | ||
The first integrated circuits were invented separately around 1958 by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments, and by Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor. The invention of the IC paved the way for the seminal introduction, in the early 1970's, of the first "single-chip" [[microprocessor|microprocessors]] such as the [[Intel]] 8080 [[processor]] first sold in 1974. | The first integrated circuits were invented separately around 1958 by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments, and by Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor. The invention of the IC paved the way for the seminal introduction, in the early 1970's, of the first "single-chip" [[microprocessor|microprocessors]] such as the [[Intel]] 8080 [[processor]] first sold in 1974. | ||
Revision as of 12:10, 12 May 2007
The Intel 8088 processor chip used in the original IBM PC in 1983
An integrated circuit, or IC, is a semiconductor-based electronic device, sometimes as small as a human fingernail, that contains many switching elements, or transistors. Integrated circuits are often referred to simply as chips. The first integrated circuits were invented separately around 1958 by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments, and by Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor. The invention of the IC paved the way for the seminal introduction, in the early 1970's, of the first "single-chip" microprocessors such as the Intel 8080 processor first sold in 1974.