Very-large-scale integration

<p>Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) is the process of creating an <a href="/facts/Integrated_circuit/fjn6vg7C">integrated circuit</a> (IC) by combining millions or <a href="/facts/List_of_Nvidia_graphics_processing_units/AXdfrvKo">billions</a> of <a href="/facts/MOS_transistor/eTDJT2Km">MOS transistors</a> onto a single chip. VLSI began in the 1970s when <a href="/facts/MOS_integrated_circuit/yRIasnVx">MOS integrated circuit</a> (metal oxide semiconductor) chips were developed and then widely adopted, enabling complex <a href="/facts/Semiconductor/zFf3mGTE">semiconductor</a> and <a href="/facts/Telecommunications/vxoj1cxR">telecommunications</a> technologies. The <a href="/facts/Microprocessor/Fx9CaQht">microprocessor</a> and <a href="/facts/Memory_chip/XXP0CacJ">memory chips</a> are VLSI devices.
</p><p>Before the introduction of VLSI technology, most ICs had a limited set of functions they could perform. An <a href="/facts/Electronic_circuit/IRfQ6Cc2">electronic circuit</a> might consist of a <a href="/facts/CPU/Jxp1bqMV">CPU</a>, <a href="/facts/ROM/P9QMuDLH">ROM</a>, <a href="/facts/RAM/DuD4bxh6">RAM</a> and other <a href="/facts/Glue_logic/zIvALrMX">glue logic</a>. VLSI enables IC designers to add all of these <a href="/facts/System_on_a_chip/1RVvVe6N">into one chip</a>.
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Very-large-scale integration open-in-new

Very-large-scale integration