Specialty IC Interface Devices

Specialty IC interface devices are specialty or proprietary products related to IC interface devices. They provide the required current and voltage needed to switch or power an electronic component based on the output signals from a logic device. In its simplest form, an integrated circuit (IC) is a miniaturized electronic device consisting of semiconductors and passive components layered over a conducting material such as silicon or gallium arsenide. Universal serial bus (USB) boards are a common type of IC interface device. USB is a popular interface that permits attached peripheral hardware devices such as a digital cameras, printers, or scanners to communicate with ICs inside a computer or other appliance. Serial bridge, peripheral component interconnect (PCI), and personal computer memory (PCMCIA) cards are examples of older specialty IC interface devices. These devices are capable of facilitating transmissions of 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit transmissions between serial ICs and compatible buses on computer motherboards. Network interface cards (NIC) provide another type of IC interface device. The integrated circuit on a network card transmits signals carried along network wires using a TCP/IP driver that interfaces with packet drivers to provide the transmission mechanism. The printed circuit boards (PCB) inside cellular phones and microwaves are also IC interface devices.

Specialty IC interface devices may also be controlled by a pulse circuit gate driver such as are seen in gas pulse lasers and particle accelerators. In this case, the specialty IC interface device is controlled by switch-mode operations using pulse width modulation (PWM) to send signals from the logic device at set intervals of time. These signals also specify other operating parameters that include temperature, volt, and amperage levels. Gate drivers and power drivers are typically created to provide positive and negative-sided electrical conduction between ICs and interface device circuitry.

Micro-electronic engineering and manufacturing firms are the most common providers of specialty IC interface devices. They typically provide devices geared toward specialized areas like computers, consumer electronics, engineering equipment, or environmental machines. A number of different organizations provide recommended standards for specialty IC interface devices including the Engineering Industries Association (EIA) and Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). The TIA/EIA-485 standard is a commonly cited reference for specialty IC interface devices.

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