Microelectronics Devices & Circuits

Introduction

What is microelectronics?
Branch of electronics technology devoted to micron-sized low-powered devices
design - device or system levels development - fabrication technology

It is the cornerstone of
computer revolution communication revolution

Transistors/die vs year

Microprocessor in 1971
Intel 4004
10 m Si gate PMOS process Clock speed: 0.108 MHz Die size ~ 13.5 mm2 ~ 2300 transistors

Microprocessor in 1982
Intel 80286
1.5 m Si gate CMOS process Clock speed: 6 ~ 12 MHz Die size ~ 68.7 mm2 ~ 134,000 transistors

Microprocessor in 2000
Pentium IV
0.18 m Si gate CMOS process Clock speed: 1,400 ~ 1,500 MHz Die size ~ 224 mm2 ~ 42,000,000 transistors

IC and human hair

IBM - ring oscillator made up of 12 transistors from 2 different metals and 1 carbon nanotube

Transistor integration
Exponential improvement
System performance Cost-per-function Power-per-function System reliability

Keys to success
Semiconductor, i.e., Si, as the main material MOSFET MOSFET scaling CMOS technology Fabrication technology Circuit engineering