The word monolithic is derived from the word Greek monos, meaning means a single, and lithos, meaning stone. Thus the monolithic circuit is built into a single stone or single crystal in using the monolithic ICs, and all circuit components and their interconnection are formed. So here this article gives the main key advantages ad disadvantages of monolithic IC to better understand this topic.
Advantages of Monolithic IC:
- Miniature to the small in size. The IC becomes a lot smaller, when compared to the discrete circuit, it may be at least a thousand times smaller.
- All IC is tested for operating ranges in very low and very high temperatures.
- It Improved the functional performance of the more complex circuits. It can be fabricated for achieving better characteristics.
- Due to its small size, the weight of the IC also reduces when compared to the discrete circuit.
- The small size of the IC causes lesser power consumption and lesser power loss.
- All components are fabricated inside the using chip, so there will not be any external projection ratings.
- All the components are fabricated is very close to each other in an Integrated circuit, they are highly suitable for small-signal operation of a device, as there won't be any stray electrical pickup.
- The PCB consisting of soldered joins will be less reliable. This problem is omitted in IC because of no soldered joints, with fewer interconnections and thus highly reliable.
- As the IC is produced in bulk the temperature coefficients & some other parameters will be closely matching.
- Increased operating speed because of the absence of parasitic capacitance effect.
Disadvantages of monolithic ICs:
- Low-power
- Poor isolation between components.
- NO possibility of fabrication of inductors.
- A small range of values of passive components used in the ICs.
- In this IC's there is a lack of flexibility in circuit design as for making any variation in the circuit, a new set of masks is required.