IC – Integrated Circuit

An integrated circuit (IC), sometimes called a chip or microchip, is a small semiconductor-based electronic device consisting of thousands or millions of tiny resistors, transistors or capacitors, embedded in a silicon substrate within a tiny plastic chip. These chips can function as an amplifier, oscillator, timer, microprocessor, or even computer memory. An IC is a small wafer, usually made of silicon, that can hold anywhere from hundreds to millions of transistors, resistors, and capacitors.

These extremely small electronics can perform calculations and store data using either digital (usually found in computer, networking and consumer electronics) or analogue (usually found in audio or broadcasting equipment) technology.

An IC is the building block for most electronic equipment and devices.

There are numerous IC manufacturers across the world including NXP, Intel, Samsung and Micron.