Consumer electronics: an important driver of integrated circuit technology

Consumer electronics has played an important role in the development of integrated circuit technology. Inversely, the integrated circuit has made possible low-cost but highly complex products that we have come to depend upon for enjoyment and convenience in our lives as family units or individual consumers. Integrated circuit production economics favor volume applications and the ”one per human being” opportunity presented by consumer products can be a powerful driver. The performance requirements for consumer applications, including low cost, low power, battery operation, nonvolatile memory, high-frequency amplification and scanning, lightweight and pleasing as well as convenient input/output means have led to many innovations in the evolution of the integrated circuit