Integrated Circuit Types

Integrated Circuit Types

Edited by David Barth, 7 December 2008

from page 78 of the September 29, 2008 issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology, by David Hughes.

Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)

These ICs are custom-designed to meet the specifications for a specific application such as a weapons fire control system. ASICs for use in computers are made of silicon. Gallium arsenide is used to make ASICs for microwave devices.

Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)

This type of integrated circuit can be programmed in the field after manufacture. FPGAs do not have as many circuits, consume more power, and are slower than ASICs. However, they require less time to develop and are less expensive than ASICs. In addition, their programmability allows for flexibility by the user following component delivery. The military relies on this type of IC for many of its applications.