Advantages of Integrated Circuits Over Discrete Components | New Topic

In this note, we are going to know about the advantages of integrated circuits over discrete components. Welcome to Poly Notes Hub, a leading destination for diploma and degree engineering notes.

Author Name: Arun Paul.

Advantages of Integrated Circuits Over Discrete Components or Elements

Here we listed some advantages of integrated circuits or ICs over discrete components or elements –

• Smaller Size and Compactness: ICs consolidate thousands to billions of components (transistors, resistors, and capacitors) onto a single chip, significantly reducing circuit size and conserving space.
• Lower Cost (Mass Production): Once designed, ICs can be produced in huge quantities at a very low per-unit cost when compared to assembling many discrete components.
• Higher Reliability: Fewer solder junctions and interconnections equal fewer failures. Loose connections and mechanical flaws have less effect on integrated circuits.
• Lower Power Consumption: ICs use lower voltages and currents, making them more energy efficient than equivalent discrete circuits.
• Better Performance (High Speed): Shorter internal connections lower parasitic capacitance and inductance, allowing for faster switching rates and higher frequency performance.
• Consistency & Repeatability: An integrated circuit’s components are all produced together, resulting in homogeneous electrical characteristics and predictable performance.
• Ease of Design & Maintenance: Designers can employ integrated circuits (ICs) as functional blocks (op amps, microcontrollers, logic gates) to ease circuit design, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Reduced Weight: Because of their tiny size and fewer external components, integrated circuit-based systems are substantially lighter than discrete-component systems.
• Improved Noise Immunity: Short internal connections reduce EMI and noise pickup.
• High Functional Density: Complex functionalities (CPU, memory, and communication interfaces) can be implemented on a single chip, making distinct components unfeasible.

Disadvantages of Discrete Elements over ICs or Integrated Circuits

• Large size and bulky circuits
• Higher cost
• Lower reliability
• Higher power consumption
• Slower operation
• More heat generation
• Complex wiring and maintenance

Difference Between Discrete Elements and Integrated Circuits