M
A machine-oriented programming language (as distinguished from a high-level,
application-oriented programming language). Since the only language microprocessors can
understand is binary, all other programming languages must be translated into binary
instruction code before performing the desired instructions.
Manufacturing For Reliability.
A transparent (glass or quartz) plate covered with an array of patterns used in making
integrated circuits. Each pattern consists of opaque and transparent areas that define the
size and shape of all circuit and device elements. The mask is used to expose selected
areas of photoresist, which defines areas to be etched. Masks may use emulsion, chrome,
iron oxide, silicon or other material to produce the opaque areas.
Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation. A
cooperative R&D consortium whose mission is to strengthen and sustain the
competitiveness of member companies who share common elements of a technical vision in
information technology. MCC's membership currently includes 22 shareholders and 38
associate members. Research programs include projects in areas such as software
technology, computer-aided design, advanced computing technology, displays, holographic
storage, power sources, superconductivity, and distributed information systems. Intersil
has been a member of MCC since its founding in 1985.
MCM
See multi-chip module.
MOS Controlled Thyristor. A power device that combines a MOS
transistor as the gate and a thyristor as the power source. This composite device has the
lowest forward voltage drop of any voltage-controlled power source, including power
MOSFETs and IGBTs. Intersil is recognized as the world leader in MCT technology. See IGBT, power MOSFET and thyristor.
mega or M
A prefix meaning a multiple of one million (x106). Symbol: M.
megabit
Roughly one million bits, or 1,048,576 bits.
megabyte
1024 kilobytes, or 1,048,576 bytes, or 8,388,608 bits. Symbol: MB. See byte.
A term used by Intersil to describe our latest generation of power MOSFETs that provide
a cell density of 1.9 million cells per square inch. MegaFETs are available for voltages
as high as 1200V and provide on-resistance values as low as 10 milliohm.
A dose of radiation equal to 106 Rads. Sometimes stated as Megarad(Si) or
Megarad(SiO2), indicating the equivalent material absorbing the radiation. See RAD.
General term for computer hardware that stores information in electrical or magnetic
form. Memories accept and hold binary numbers only. Memory types are core and
semiconductor.
An integrated circuit consisting of memory cells and usually including associated
circuits such as those for address selection and amplification. A class of integrated
circuits that store digital information, the information being expressed in binary
numbers. Examples of memory ICs are ROMs, Dynamic and Static RAMs, EPROMs and EEPROMs.
MEtal-Semiconductor FET. A type of FET in which the channel is
formed directly beneath a metal gate, which itself is in intimate contact with the
semiconductor. Compare with MOSFET, where the gate is separated
from the semiconductor by a thin insulating oxide layer. Commonly used in III-V materials,
such as GaAs, where the gate oxide needed to form a MOSFET is inferior to that in silicon.
See channel, GaAs and gate.
The process of depositing a thin film of conductive metal onto a substrate and
patterning it to form the desired interconnection arrangement. Metal layers are typically
1-2 micron thick in ICs, but several times thicker in power devices.
metal-oxide varistor
See MOV.
A prefix meaning one-millionth (x10-6). Symbol: µ. Also jargon for
microprocessor, microcomputer, microcontroller.
(1) A computer system whose processing unit is a microprocessor; (2) A
microprocessor, complete with stored program memory--read-only memory (ROM), random-access
memory (RAM), and input/output (I/O) logic on a single chip. Microcomputers are capable of
performing useful work without additional supporting logic.
A single-chip microcomputer with on-board program ROM and I/O that can be programmed
for various control functions.
One-millionth (x10-6) of a meter, or about 40 millionths of an inch.
Synonymous with micron. Symbol: µm.
Older term for micrometer. A metric unit of linear measure which equals one millionth
of a meter. Symbol: µm
(1) A central processing unit (CPU) fabricated on one or more chips, containing
the basic arithmetic, logic, and control elements of a computer that are required for
processing data; (2) An integrated circuit that accepts coded instructions,
executes the instructions received, and delivers signals that describe its internal
status. The instructions may be entered or stored internally. Also called "MPU"
(microprocessor unit). Widely used as control devices for household appliances, business
machines, toys, etc., as well as for microcomputers. Intersil is the industry leader in
16-bit CMOS microprocessors.
One-thousandth of an inch (x10-3 inches). Equal to 25.4 microns.
Prefix meaning one-thousandth (x10-3). Symbol: m.
MIcrowave/millimeter wave Monolithic Integrated Circuit.
Directed by the U.S. Department of Defense, the MIMIC program was established to enhance
producibility and reduce the production cost of gallium arsenide (GaAs) microwave
integrated circuits. In this sense, MIMIC is the GaAs microwave industry's equivalent of
the VHSIC program. See VHSIC program.
MIPS
Million Instructions Per Second.
An integrated circuit that has both digital and analog functions on the same
semiconductor chip, permitting a high degree of system integration. Intersil mixed signal
ICs are of three types: (1) In those optimized for analog, the major part of the
design is analog with a small digital content; (2) In those optimized for power,
the circuit has analog, digital and power functions; (3) In those optimized for
digital, the major part of the design is digital with some analog content. Intersil
recently introduced a cell library for mixed signal optimized for analog, called HBC2500.
The library is supported by a double-metal, double-poly BiCMOS process with 3µm CMOS and
300-MHz bipolar transistors.
A mixed signal simulator simulates the analog portions of the circuit with a very
accurate circuit simulator, the digital portions with an efficient event-driven simulator,
and the switched capacitor portions with a special-purpose switched capacitor simulator.
An example is the Verilog cdsSPICE.SCAN simulation in the Intersil FASTRACK Design System.
See FASTRACK.
ML
See Multilayer TVS.
Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit. Combining active
elements (diodes and transistors) with passive elements (resistors, capacitors, inductors
and transmission lines) on a single GaAs (gallium arsenide) substrate, MMICs replace
conventional "chip and wire" microwave circuits. As amplifiers, attenuators or
switches at microwave frequencies, MMICs offer benefits of reduced size, lower unit cost,
and reliability.
The velocity of a charged particle attained under the action of an applied electric
field. Units are cm2/V-Sec.
The automatic construction of major pieces of circuit function by specifying parameters
controlling the structure and/or performance of the function. Examples are RAM, ROM, PLA,
datapath, state machine, registers, multiplexers, and standard logic families.
Same as integrated circuit. A circuit fabricated within a single body of semiconductor
material. This single body of material is referred to as an integrated circuit die.
Compare hybrid circuit.
Metal Oxide Semiconductor. A wafer process for fabricating MOSFET
devices in either IC or discrete form. See MOSFET.
Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor.
A class of voltage-driven devices that do not require the large input drive currents of
bipolar devices. MOSFETs are a type of field-effect transistor that operates and functions
similar to a junction field effect transistor. The distinction is that in the MOS device
the controlling gate voltage is applied to the channel region across an oxide insulating
material, rather than across a P-N junction. The term can be applied either to transistors
in an IC or to discrete power devices. The major advantage of a MOSFET is low power due to
its insulation from source and drain. Other advantages are its process simplicity, savings
in chip real estate, and the ease of interconnection on chip. MOSFETs are of both
P-channel and N-channel types. Sometimes called "insulated gate field effect
transistor" (IGFET). Although Intersil produces these devices with both metal or
polycrystalline silicon as the gate electrode, the generic MOSFET term is used for both.
See channel, drain, gate and source.
MOS transistor
Same as MOSFET.
Metal-Oxide Varistor. A varistor having a sintered zinc-oxide
element and a symmetrical voltage-current characteristic. Such devices provide
bi-directional transient suppression capability, enabling them to protect circuits against
transient over-voltage occurring from opposite directions. These devices absorb very large
amounts of energy--up to 10k joules. Intersil MOVs come with many different packaging
options that address a variety of applications, from small circuit boards to lightning
arresters. The majority of Intersil MOVs carry UL approval. All Intersil MOVs are
manufactured in Dundalk, Ireland. See multilayer TVS and surgector.
MPU
MicroProcessor Unit. Sometimes used synonymously with
microprocessor. See microprocessor and CPU.
Medium-Scale Integration. A term generally applied to integrated
circuit chips containing ten or more gate equivalents, but less than 100. Also applies to
memory devices with fewer than 1k (1024) bits of memory. See LSI, SSI, VLSI.
MSPS
Million Samples Per Second. Measurement of time used predominately
in referencing data acquisition and DSP.
A hybrid-type package containing a number of integrated circuits and other components.
Used instead of printed circuit boards for applications calling for very high packing
densities, high frequencies and high speeds of operation. Intersil, in conjunction with
Harris' Electronic Systems Sector, is engaged in an advanced packaging development
activity toward perfection of the technology.
Multilayer Transient Voltage Suppressor. A type of varistor
composed of alternating layers of semiconducting ceramic and electrode material. This
combination forms a "stack" that greatly enhances the available cross-sectional
area and hence the device current handling capability.
A device that combines several input signals into a single output signal in such a
manner that each of the input signals subsequently can be recovered. At Intersil, an IC
consisting of multiple analog CMOS switches and digital decoding, allowing one of many
inputs to be passed to the output.
A process of transmitting more than one signal over a single link, route, or channel.
Of the two methods in use, parallel processing frequency-shares the bandwidth of a channel
in the same way hurdlers run and jump in their assigned lanes, thus permitting a number of
contestants to compete simultaneously on the same track. The second method, called serial
processing, time-shares multiple signals in the same way that pole vaulters vault over the
same bar one after the other. Although serial processing may not seem simultaneous, the
signal speed is so fast that it is possible to multiplex four different numbers through a
single decoder-driver and have them appear on four different displays without a flicker.
A circuit whose output state is the arithmetic product of two input signals. Important
in DSP (digital signal processing) technology for signal processing and power control
applications. Intersil offers high-speed analog and digital multipliers. See DSP and signal processing.
mux
MUltipleXer
.
