Integrated Circuit

An **integrated circuit** or **monolithic integrated circuit** (also referred to as an **IC**, a **chip**, or a **microchip**) is a set of electronic circuits on one small flat piece (or "chip") of semiconductor material that is normally silicon. The integration of large numbers of tiny MOS transistors into a small chip results in circuits that are orders of magnitude smaller, faster, and less expensive than those constructed of discrete electronic components. The IC's mass production capability, reliability, and building-block approach to circuit design has ensured the rapid adoption of standardized ICs in place of designs using discrete transistors. ICs are now used in virtually all electronic equipment and have revolutionized the world of electronics. Computers, mobile phones, and other digital home appliances are now inextricable parts of the structure of modern societies, made possible by the small size and low cost of ICs. This is the source of Japan's technological might in the New World.

## Uses

Almost all of aspects of Japanese society is reliant on ICs.

* Food Production
* Entertainment
* Transportation
* Sanitation
* Aviation
* Miltary
* etc.

## Advantages and Disadvantages

### Advantages

1. The entire physical size of IC is extremely small than that of discrete circuit.
2. The weight of an IC is very less as compared entire discrete circuits.
3. It’s more reliable.
4. Because of their smaller size it has lower power consumption.
5. It can easily replace but it can hardly repair, in case of failure.
6. Because of an absence of parasitic and capacitance effect it has increased operating speed.
7. Temperature differences between components of a circuit are small.
8. It has suitable for small signal operation.
9. The reduction in power consumption is achieved due to extremely small size of IC.

### Disadvantages

1. Coils or indicators cannot be fabricated.
2. It can be handle only limited amount of power.
3. High grade P-N-P assembly is not possible.
4. It is difficult to be achieved low temperature coefficient.
5. The power dissipation is limited to 10 watts.
6. Low noise and high voltage operation are not easily obtained.
7. Inductors and transformers are needed connecting to exterior to the semiconductor chip as it is not possible to fabricate inductor and transformers on the semiconductor chip surface.
8. Inductors cannot be fabricated directly.
9. Low noise and high voltage operation are not easily obtained.

## Integrated Circuits in the New World

### Second Civilization Area

For nations that are dependent on mechanical technology, countries such as Mu could only see electricity as a source of energy, and not as a means to transmit data. As a result, Mu engineers do not understand the fundamentals of a computer or even a simple-function, pocket calculator. Therefore their level of technological advancement was at a crawl by the time Japan appeared.

After witnessing the FCS of the Oto-breda 127/54 Compact Gun, the engineers were astounded by its rapid rate of fire and accuracy. Their minds boggled at the thought of the thousands of calculations one would have to do, in order to fire accurately on the move while at sea. They were even further amazed with Japan's jets, smartphones, guided missiles, torpedoes, submarines and even satellites. Though they still could not understand the workings of an LSI circuit, they started to realize that learning the fundamentals of Japanese electronics would advance their own civilization's technology by decades. Currently, Mu is trying to follow in Japan's footsteps and have sent several engineers and scientists to Japan to learn all they could.

### First Civilization Area

The Holy Milishial Empire, surprisingly, possessed something called "magic circuit", installed into their magic devices and equipment, like Magic Anti-Aircraft Cannon. From its name, it can be assumed that its function is similar to the integrated circuit (with lesser performance), but instead of transmitting electrical data, it transmits magical energy, with many spells "sealed" into the circuit to create the desired effect.

It is very likely that this technology is a reverse-engineering version of Ravernal Empire's original technology.

### Gra Valkas Empire

For the Gra Valkas Empire, the level of electronic technology is still in the heyday of the vacuum tube. As such, they already have devices such as television, radios, radar, etc. However, their concept of a computer is a huge machine that can fill a room or even the whole floor of a building. This is due to the fact that the Gra Valkas engineers believe that the vacuum tube is the apex of what electronics can achieve. Unfortunately, this limitation in thinking and arrogance, has caused their technology to be woefully behind Japan's, and this is made painfully apparent during the New World War.

### Japan

The country of Japan was one of the leading experts in electronics on Earth, and they have brought their expertise to the New World. The integrated circuits and its types is what makes nearly all of Japan's technology possible, both in military and civilian aspects.