Integrated circuits (ICs) are miniature electronic circuits that are fabricated on a single semiconductor wafer. These circuits contain multiple functional blocks, such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors, integrated into a small chip. ICs have revolutionized the field of electronics by enabling compact and efficient electronic devices. For example, microprocessors, which are complex ICs, are used in computers and smartphones to perform various computational tasks.
Digital logic gates are fundamental building blocks in digital circuits. These gates process binary inputs (0s and 1s) and produce binary outputs based on predefined logical functions. Some commonly used logic gates include AND, OR, NOT, and XOR gates. For instance, an AND gate outputs a logical '1' only when all its inputs are '1'. Logic gates are used to implement various digital systems, such as computers, calculators, and digital displays.
Signal processing is a broad field within electronics that deals with the manipulation and analysis of signals. Signals can represent various phenomena such as sound, images, and data. Electronic devices, such as amplifiers, filters, and modulators, are used to modify signals according to specific requirements. Signal processing techniques are crucial in various applications, such as audio and video processing, telecommunications, medical imaging, and radar systems.