ELECTRONIC PRINCIPLES - OD1647 - LESSON 1/TASK 2
Since the invention of the transistor, solidstate devices have
been developed and improved at an unbelievable rate. Great
strides have been made in the manufacturing techniques, and
there is no foreseeable limit to the future of these devices.
Solidstate devices made from semiconductor materials offer
compactness, efficiency, ruggedness, and versatility.
Consequently, these devices have invaded virtually every field
of science and industry. In addition to the junction diode and
transistor, a whole new family of related devices has been
developed: the ZENER DIODE, LIGHTEMITTING DIODE, FIELD EFFECT
TRANSISTOR, etc. A more recent development that has dominated
solidstate technology for the last decade, and probably has had
a greater impact, on the electronics industry than either the
electron tube or transistor, is the INTEGRATED CIRCUIT. The
integrated circuit is a minute piece of semiconductor material
that can produce complete electronic circuit functions.
As the applications of solidstate devices mount, the need for
knowledge of these devices becomes increasingly important.
Personnel in the Army today will have to understand solidstate
devices if they are to become proficient in the repair and
maintenance of electronic equipment.
a. Application of SolidState Devices. Semiconductor devices
are all around us. They can be found in a great variety of
commercial products, from the family car to the pocket
calculator. Semiconductor devices have found their way into
television sets, portable radios, and stereo equipment.
Science and industry also rely heavily on semiconductor devices.
Research laboratories use these devices in all sorts of
electronic instruments to perform test, measurements, and
numerous other experimental tasks. Industrial control systems
(such as those used to manufacture automobiles) and automatic
telephone exchanges also use semiconductors. Heavyduty
versions of the solid state rectifier diode are being used to
convert large amounts of power for electric railroads. Of the
many different applications for solidstate devices, space
systems, computers, and data processing equipment are among the
largest consumers.
104
Previous Page
