Designing digital monolithic integrated circuits

Abstract

In order to properly design or specify integrated circuits, the circuits engineer today must not only train himself in semiconductor component theory and design principles, but he must also become thoroughly familiar with the technology limitations that govern the manufacture of integrated circuits. So far, there is no set of design rules that apply generally to the great variety of circuits that may be required. The design approach to digital circuits, for example, can be entirely different from that of linear circuits from the standpoint of both technical and economic considerations. Yet an excellent insight into integrated circuit design can be obtained by following the theory and design procedure for translating a typical digital circuit design into a final monolithic device. In the following discussion, the highlights of integrated circuit theory, design relationships, processes and parameters will be developed to cover most of today's applications of monolithic circuits in digital computers. The vehicle for this is a high-speed DTL NAND gate, Fig. 1, currently being manufactured in quantity by Motorola.