Very-large-scale integration (
VLSI) is the process of creating
integrated circuits by combining thousands of
transistor-based circuits into a single chip. VLSI began in the 1970s when complex
semiconductor and
communication technologies were being developed. The
microprocessor is a VLSI device. VLSI designed chips are used everywhere right from washing machine to satellites.
VLSI
is an implementation technology for electronic circuitry - analogue or digital. It is
concerned with forming a pattern of interconnected switches and gates on the
surface of a crystal of semiconductor.
What is CHIP or VLSI Circuit ?
•A
pattern of interconnected switches and gates on the surface of a crystal of
semiconductor (typically Si)
•These
switches and gates are made of
–areas
of n-type silicon
–areas
of p-type silicon
–areas
of insulator
–lines
of conductor (interconnects) joining areas together
•Aluminium,
Copper, Titanium, Molybdenum, polysilicon, tungsten
• The
geometry of these areas is known as the layout of the chip
•Connections
from the chip to the outside world are made around the edge of the chip to
facilitate
connections to other devices/ chips etc. Like : if You see the Motherboard of your PC, You will find
many Chips or ICs are interconnected.
Applications :
•Microprocessors
–personal computers
–microcontrollers
•Memory - DRAM / SRAM
•Special Purpose Processors - ASICS (CD players, DSP applications)
•Optical Switches
•Has made highly sophisticated control systems mass-producable and therefore cheap
