Microelectronics and Micro Miniaturization

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 branch 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 functions 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 IС, large-scale IС and very-large-scale IС. 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 IС began with the development of planar transmission lines. Then new IС components in a fine line 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.

2. Ответьте на вопросы по тексту:

1. What would you say about electronics? 2. Why is the development of electronics called a revolution? 3. What is microelectronics? 4. What techniques does microelectronics use? 5. What is the benefit of reducing the size of circuit elements? 6. What do you understand by the term of microminiaturization? 7. What does the speed of the signal response depend on? 8. What advantages of microelectronics do you know? 9. What scales of integration are known to you? 10. How are microelectronics techniques developing?

3. Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты:

Интенсивные усилия; увеличить надежность; увеличить параметры; уменьшить размер и стоимость; вряд ли кто-нибудь мог прогнозировать; количественные и качественные изменения; область науки; пленочная технология; полупроводниковый метод; сокращать элементы схемы; суть миниатюризации в том, что; создать

схемы с долгим сроком службы; чрезвычайно высокая скорость реакции; чем меньше, тем быстрее; преимущество; расходовать энергию; польза; уменьшение расстояния между элементами схемы; большая интегральная схема; микроволновая интегральная схема; волновод; линия передач; смещать; изображение схем; расширять возможности человека.

4. Переведите слова, содержащие отрицательные префиксы:

dis-: disadvantage; disconnect; disappear; disclose; discomfort; discontinue; discount; discredit; discriminate; disintegrate.

in-: invisible; inaccurate; inactive; incapable; incompact; insignificant; inhuman; informal; ineffective; indifferent; indecisive; inconsumable; incorrect.

un-: uncontrollable; unbelievable; unable; unchanged; uncomfortable; uncommunicative; undisciplined; unexpected; unfavourable; unforgettable; unkind.

non-: non-effective; non-aggressive; noncomparable; non-computable; nonconstant; noncontrollable; nondigital; nondi-mensional; nonprogrammable; nonusable.

ir-: irregular; irrelative; irresponsive; irrational; irreplaceable; irrecognizable.

5. Переведите:

1. It is well known that the quick development of electronics began with the invention of transistors. They replaced electronic tubes due to their numerous advantages. One of the main advantages of the transistors in comparison with the vacuum tube is absence of filament power loss. One of the principal causes of damages in electronic circuitry is high temperature. The heat causes breakdown of tubes and other circuit elements that are very sensitive to this influence. The transistor, on the other hand, does not heat its surroundings. Another advantage of the transistor is its long life. The life of the average transistor is more than ten thousand operating hours. Because of its long lifetime and ruggedness, the transistor is very reliable and has much better efficiency in professional equipment.

2. As we know, transistors replaced electronic tubes due to their numerous advantages. One of the advantages of the transistor is its small dimensions. Because of their small size, the absence of heating and other properties, transistors make it possible to produce compact, small-dimensioned electronic devices which consume very little power. In conclusion it is important to note that transistors revolutionized many fields of technology. They are successfully used for direct transformation of heat energy by means of thermal elements. They are also used to convert radiant energy into electricity with the help of photocells or solar batteries. Light sources and lasers are built on the basis of transistors. They find wide application in computers, automatic devices, aviation, communication, etc.

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