Semiconductors
(216 633)Components and circuits collectively called “semiconductors” are named after the materials used to build them. These are substances with variable conductivity depending on external factors (e.g. temperature). Electronic components called semiconductors use crystals of these substances (silicon, germanium). Molecules of other chemical compounds (e.g. gallium, phosphorus, aluminium derivatives) are introduced into their structure at the production stage. This process is called doping and causes an excess or deficiency of electrons relative to the level of conductivity (in a nutshell: there are too many or too few electrons for the material to conduct electricity freely). Thus, n-type semiconductors (negative charge caused by additional electrons) and p-type semiconductors (positive charge, the so-called holes are the majority carriers and electrons are the minority carriers) are obtained, respectively. By combining two or more elements made in this way, a connector (e.g. a p-n connector) is obtained.
Depending on the configuration of the semiconductors that make up the connector, it may have different properties. In the case of an ordinary semiconductor diode, this will be the conduction of current in only one direction. In the case of bipolar transistors, a weakly doped layer of a different type is placed between the doped semiconductors (collector and emitter), resulting in two connectors (n-p-n or p-n-p), whose conductivity depends on the voltage occurring between the outputs.
In the case of unipolar transistors (FETs or field-effect transistors), electrons travel from the drain to the source along a semiconductor path. FET uses the voltage applied to its third electrode (the Gate), to control the current flowing from the source to drain. Applying voltage causes the appearance of an electric field, which creates a channel between the drain and the source and lets the current flow. At rest, the channel is n-or p-doped (depending on the type of transistor), always opposite to the source and the drain, i.e. preventing conduction. Its resistance is measured in megaohms.
The most common FETs are transistors in which the gate is isolated from other structures (no current flow). Such products include MOSFET components (metal-oxide-semiconductor). They are popular thanks to their speed and microscopic size. The technology of combining them into pairs, in order to create logic gates, is called CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) and is the foundation of digital electronics (including the production of integrated circuits, memory, and microprocessors).
That, in a nutshell, is how most of the products available in the semiconductor category can be described. Now let's look at the breakdown of the articles by their functions and characteristics.
What products belong to semiconductors?
What we understand by electronics often simply means electrical circuits built with semiconductors. No wonder that it is one of the most extensive departments in the TME catalogue, and at the same time – a huge industry. So let's take a quick look at this department, detailing its most important subgroups.
Diodes, rectifier bridges, and related elements.
The first, basic group, are various diodes. First of all universal and rectifier diodes, i.e. conducting current in only one direction. Their frequent use, in the bridge system, is to convert alternating current (coming directly from the mains supply or occurring in the secondary winding of the transformer) into direct current, which can be used to power electronic circuits or be further processed, e.g. in pulsed circuits. Of course, diodes also perform a number of other functions, e.g. protect motor controllers from damage, work in frequency processing systems, etc. This group of articles also includes Zener diodes for voltage regulation, Schottky diodes, as well as related products such as thyristors, diacs or triacs for high-voltage lines.
Transistors.
This basic electronic component is still widely used to amplify and control signals, in switched-mode power supplies, voltage converters, and wired and radio communication systems. The TME directory includes bipolar, unipolar, and Darlington transistors (with much greater gain), as well as IGBT modules and elements. In this group, you can also find power components made of silicon carbide (SiC) technology, which allows you to build elements that are thermally resistant and resistant to large currents.
Integrated Circuits
Integrated Circuits are now the most important area of electronics. In the pursuit of miniaturization and energy efficiency , manufacturers reach for circuits integrated in standardized enclosures. Their mass production allows to significantly reduce the prices of electronic devices, which is why most typical components are available in this form, e.g. operational amplifiers or logic systems (gates, comparators, inverters, etc.). The most numerous groups represented here are various types of drivers (motor and PWM drivers, MOSFET/IGBT drivers, LED drivers) and A/D converters and D/A converters (the so-called DAC), allowing for easy connection of digital electronics with analogue components such as sensors, microphones, or speakers. It is here that you can find mini voltage stabilizers (adjustable and unregulated), as well as a number of products dedicated to audio applications, consumer electronics, etc.
Microcontrollers.
The dominant field of electronics, i.e. digital electronics, is associated with universal access to circuits that allow the processing of information recorded in the form of logical signals. These include elements that can perform a number of functions (depending on the program). Here we offer solutions from the world's leading manufacturers (e.g. Microchip), intended for the construction and production of not only complex devices processing huge amounts of data, but also miniature circuits, mobile circuits, or battery-powered circuits, etc.
These commonly used systems include, among others 8-bit and 32-bit AVR, PIC or NXT microcontrollers, and even ARM microcontrollers, enabling the development of miniaturized computers and autonomous IoT solutions (Internet of Things). Their great advantage is the integration of persistent/operating memory, a computing unit, as well as numerous peripherals (converters, comparators, PWM generators, communication interfaces) in a single housing. In this way, the designers get a ready-made microprocessor system, so that their efforts can focus on the design of the target device. Its programming is relatively easy because there are a number of easy-to-use programming environments (IDEs) available on the market, mostly based on C-related languages and developed by the manufacturers themselves. Connection with other systems (e.g. controllers or sensors) is made using dedicated libraries. This not only reduces the development time of new products, but also facilitates their adaptation to international standards (e.g. USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SD), translating into convenience of use and customer satisfaction.
In a separate section of the directory you can find programmers and debuggers for microcontrollers. These are both original solutions of manufacturers and the offer of devices from other suppliers.
Memories
Semiconductor memories include different types of memories: operational (SRAM, DRAM etc.), non-volatile (EEPROM, and FLASH etc.). They are available in different capacities, sizes, with parallel and serial interfaces. They will enable the construction of devices that aggregate information, store data (not only information about settings, but also entire activity logs or, for example, images from the camera).
Communication modules.
There are also communication modules, which allow bi-directional data transmission in different standards. They are a convenient method of connecting microcontroller-controlled circuits to wireless networks (Wi-Fi/ GPRS/HSPA/LTE), as well as other devices, e.g. using Bluetooth or ZigBee technologies. They also include LoRa (long range) systems used to build extensive networks covering large spaces, as well as geolocation receivers (including GPS, Galileo) and the necessary equipment to support RFID (proximity communication systems, such as identifiers). The most complex communication modules are based on microcontrollers, which (together with the peripherals and external components present on the PCB) can act as a stand-alone control system for complex devices. They are programmable and suitable for integration in larger systems.
Development kits
Development kits are dedicated to specific systems (mostly microcontrollers) that facilitate learning and prototyping. They contain all the components necessary for the operation of a given element (power supply system, decoupling capacitors, often also USB, LAN connectors, etc.), so the designer can focus on programming and testing. In this branch, we also find popular products such as Arduino orESP32, so solutions perfectly described, free to use and very flexible. They can be adapted to numerous applications – from hobby projects to professional, industrial drivers.
Semiconductor accessories.
It is also worth noting that the semiconductor group includes accessories including radiators (a necessary element for the thermoregulation of high-power components), PCB test sockets, test bases (used, among others, in programmers), as well as Peltier modules.
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