Computer technology is developing extremely fast. There are all new layouts and developments that must satisfy ever-increasing demands. One of the most interesting points is the extra-large integrated circuit. What it is? Why does she have such a name? We know how VLSI is deciphered, but what is it in practice? Where are they used?
History of development
In the early sixties, the first semiconductor chips appeared. Since then, microelectronics has come a long way from simple logic elements to complex digital devices. Modern complex and multifunctional computers can run on a single semiconductor single crystal, the area of which is one square centimeter.
It was necessary to somehow classify and distinguish them. The ultra-large integrated circuit (VLSI) is so named because it became necessary to designate a microcircuit in which the degree of integration exceeded 104 elements per crystal. This happened in the late seventies. After a few years, it became clear that this is the general direction for microelectronics.
So, the super-large integrated circuit was named so because it was necessary to classify all the achievements in this area. Initially, microelectronics was built on the assembly operations and was engaged in the implementation of complex functions combining many elements in one thing.
And then what?
Initially, a significant part of the increase in the cost of manufactured products was precisely in the assembly process. The main steps that each product had to go through are designing, executing, and checking the connections between components. The functions, as well as the dimensions of the devices that were implemented in practice, are limited solely by the number of components used, their reliability and physical dimensions.
Therefore, if they say that some kind of ultra-large integrated circuit weighs more than 10 kg, this is quite possible. The only question is the rationality of using such a large block of components.
Development
I would like to make another small digression. Historically, integrated circuits were attracted by their small size and mass. Although gradually, with the development of opportunities, more and more close placement of elements appeared. And not only. By this we should understand not only compact placement, but also the improvement of ergonomic indicators, an increase in the characteristics and level of operational reliability.
Particular attention should be paid to material and energy indicators, which directly depend on the crystal area used per component. In many respects, it depended on the substance used. Initially, germanium was used for semiconductor products. But over time, it was replaced by silicon, which has more attractive characteristics.
What are they using now?
So, we know that the ultra-large integrated circuit is so named because it contains many components. What technologies are now used to create them? Most often they talk about the deep submicron region, which allows you to achieve effective use of components of 0.25-0.5 microns, and nanoelectronics, where elements are measured in nanometers. Moreover, the first gradually becomes history, and in the second, more and more discoveries are made. Here is a short list of developments that are being created:
- Extra large silicon circuits. In them, in the deep submicron region, the minimum dimensions of the components are provided.
- Ultrafast heterojunction devices and integrated circuits. They are built on the basis of silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, as well as a number of other compounds.
- Technology of nanoscale devices, of which nanolithography should be separately mentioned.
Although small sizes are indicated here, you should not be mistaken about what the ultimate ultra-large integrated circuit is. Its overall dimensions can vary by centimeters, and in some specific devices even by meters. Micrometers and nanometers are just the size of individual elements (for example, transistors), and their number can be in the billions!
Despite this number, it may be that the super-large integrated circuit weighs several hundred grams. Although it is possible that it will be so heavy that even an adult cannot lift it on its own.
How are they created?
Consider modern technology. So, to create ultra-pure single-crystal semiconductor materials, as well as technological reagents (including liquids and gases), you must:
- Provide ultra-clean working conditions in the area of processing and transportation of plates.
- To develop technological operations and create a complex of equipment where automated process control will be present. This is necessary to ensure the specified quality of processing and low pollution. Although we should not forget about the high performance and reliability of the created electronic components.
Are there any jokes when creating elements whose size is calculated in nanometers? Man, alas, cannot do the operations that require phenomenal accuracy.
What is the matter with domestic manufacturers?
Why is the ultra-large integrated circuit firmly associated with foreign developments? In the early 50s of the last century, the USSR ranked second in the development of electronics. But now it is extremely difficult for domestic manufacturers to compete with foreign companies. Although not everything is so bad.
So, regarding the creation of complex high-tech products, we can confidently say that in the Russian Federation now there are conditions, personnel, and scientific potential. There are quite a few enterprises and institutions that can develop various electronic devices. True, all this exists in a rather limited volume.
So, it is often the case when high-tech “raw materials” like VLSI memory, microprocessors and controllers that were manufactured abroad are used for development. But at the same time, certain tasks of processing signals and performing calculations programmatically are solved.
Although it should not be assumed that we can exclusively purchase and assemble equipment from various components. There are domestic versions of processors, controllers, ultra-large integrated circuits and other developments. But, alas, they cannot compete with world leaders in their effectiveness, which makes their commercial implementation difficult. But to use them in domestic systems, where you do not need a lot of power or you need to take care of reliability, is quite possible.
Extra Large Programmable Logic Integrated Circuits
This is a separate promising type of development. They are unrivaled in those areas where you need to create high-performance specialized devices focused on hardware implementation. Thanks to this, the task of parallelizing the processing process is solved and productivity is increased tenfold (if compared with software solutions).
In fact, these ultra-large integrated circuits have versatile, customizable function converters, allowing users to customize communications between them. And it's all on one chip. As a result - a shorter creation cycle, economic gain for small-scale production, as well as the ability to make changes at an arbitrary design stage.
The development of super-large programmable logic integrated circuits takes several months. After that, they are configured in the shortest possible time - and that’s all with a minimum level of costs. There are various manufacturers, the architecture and the capabilities of the products they create, which greatly increases the ability to complete tasks.
What are they classified by?
Usually used for this:
- Logical capacity (degree of integration).
- Organization of the internal structure.
- Type of programmable item used.
- Functional Converter Architecture.
- The presence / absence of internal RAM.
Each item deserves attention. But alas, the size of the article is limited, so we will consider only the most important component.
What is logical capacity?
This is the most important feature for ultra-large integrated circuits. The number of transistors in them can be billions. But at the same time their size is equal to a miserable fraction of a micrometer. But in view of the redundancy of the structures, the logical capacity is measured in the number of gates that is necessary for the implementation of the device.
For their designation, indicators of hundreds of thousands and millions of units are used. The higher the value of the logical capacitance, the wider the possibilities the ultra-large integrated circuit can offer us.
About pursued goals
VLSI was originally created for fifth-generation machines. During their manufacture, they were guided by the streaming architecture and implementation of an intelligent human-machine interface, which will not only provide a systematic solution to problems, but also provide Masha with the opportunity to think logically, self-learn and draw logical conclusions.
It was assumed that communication would be conducted in a natural language using a speech form. Well, in one way or another, this has been realized. But still, to the full, trouble-free creation of ideal ultra-large integrated circuits is still far away. But we, humanity, are confidently moving forward. In this, automation of VLSI design plays a large role.
As previously mentioned, this requires a lot of human and time resources. Therefore, to save money, automation is widely used. After all, when it is necessary to establish connections between billions of components, even a team of several tens of people will spend years on this. Whereas automation can do this in a matter of hours, if the correct algorithm is laid down.
Now a further decrease seems rather problematic, since we are already approaching the limit of transistor technology. Already, the smallest transistors are several tens of nanometers in size. If we reduce them several hundred times, then we will simply run into the dimensions of the atom. Sure, that's good, but how to move on in terms of increasing the efficiency of electronics? To do this, you have to go to a new level. For example - to engage in the creation of quantum computers.
Conclusion
Ultra-large integrated circuits have had a significant impact on the development of mankind and our opportunities. But it is likely that they will soon become obsolete and something completely different will come to replace them.
Indeed, alas, we are already approaching the limit of possibilities, and mankind is not used to standing still. Therefore, it is likely that extra-large integrated circuits will be given honors, after which they will be replaced by more advanced designs. But for now, we all use VLSI as the pinnacle of an existing creation.