{"id":722,"date":"2023-05-23T00:08:27","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T00:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/partstack.com\/blog\/?p=722"},"modified":"2023-07-13T21:00:46","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T21:00:46","slug":"exploring-basic-semiconductor-chips-and-their-uses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/partstack.com\/blog\/exploring-basic-semiconductor-chips-and-their-uses\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Basic Semiconductor Chips and Their Uses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Semiconductor chips are the foundation for almost all modern technology. While they are so commonplace that they are often taken for granted, the semiconductor chip shortage has shown the harmful effects taking them for granted can have.<\/p>\n

In this article, we will discuss the most common categorizations of semiconductor chips and expand on their uses. In the end, we will touch on the types of semiconductor chips that were the most affected by the shortage and what the future could potentially bring.<\/p>\n

However, before we get to the different categories, let us start by quickly covering the properties of semiconductors in general.<\/p>\n

What Is a Semiconductor?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A semiconductor is a material that controls the flow of electronic current. Its conductivity lies between a conductor and an insulator. The conductivity value can be manipulated by adding impurities into the material (called doping). These properties of semiconductor materials allow them to be the basis of all electronic devices.<\/p>\n

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Semiconductors<\/span><\/h3>\n

Intrinsic semiconductors are materials that are made of only one type of element, i.e. there was no doping involved. Extrinsic semiconductors, on the other hand, are materials that were doped in order to manipulate their conductive properties. The type of semiconductor material used determines the property of a semiconductor chip.<\/p>\n

Types of Semiconductor Chips by Functionality<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first categorization of semiconductor chips can be done based on the function the chip is intended to perform. If we are to take this approach, then there are 3 types of semiconductor chips:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Microprocessors\/logic chips<\/li>\n
  2. Memory chips<\/li>\n
  3. CIC chips<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Microprocessors\/Logic Chips<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Microprocessors or logic chips process information that is used to complete the operation set by an electronic device. That is why they are commonly called the \u2018brains\u2019 of electronic devices. Logic chips can have a single or multiple CPUs (Central Processing Units). There are 5 types of microprocessors:<\/p>\n