= Integrated circuit
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= IC
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{synonym}
An <integrated circuit> combines interconnected <electrical circuit> elements in a fabricated structure. A <monolithic integrated circuit> forms its elements in or on one piece of <semiconductor>, rather than merely putting separately manufactured components into one enclosure. <Transistors> supply control in <electronic amplifiers>; <resistors> and <capacitors> can supply bias and timing. <Jack St. Clair Kilby>'s patent describes making such functions from a common <semiconductor> body with compatible fabrication steps.<Miniaturized electronic circuits by Jack St. Clair Kilby>[Description, opening statement of the invention and discussion preceding Figs. 1–5a]{ref}
The useful change is to fabricate connections and functions together. Shrinking an enclosure still leaves individual parts to position and join. Integration makes their relative arrangement part of a repeatable fabrication pattern. The distinction is functional as well as geometric: one small piece can implement a whole <electrical circuit>, while its external terminals expose only the connections needed by its surroundings.
\Image[/integrated-circuit-functional-packaging.png]
{title=The same functions in separate packages and in a <monolithic integrated circuit>}
{description=Original conceptual comparison: three functions and the same <signal> direction, with package boundaries changed. Boxes denote functions, not individual components or a wiring diagram. Internal lines in the lower panel represent <integrated circuit interconnects>. Supply and return connections are omitted. This is not a drawing of a historical chip or a scale comparison.}
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