Transistor
I’ve always been intimidated by them, but essentially they are just a Logic Gate!
A transistor is an on/off switch controlled by an electric signal. Transistors the the building blocks of modern day computer circuits.
The Integrated Circuit combines hundred of Transistors into a single chip.
Electronic component that behave in a non-linear/discrete manner. Transistors are combined to form circuits, they are the basis of Logic Gate.
a transistor has
- A Drain
- A Source
- A Gate
The gate controls the flow from the source to the drain.
In BLSI?
I never really understood how a transistor works. Good thing Ben Eater has a video teaching it
- n-type semiconductor
Transistors on CPU
Okay, so now, I understand how a single transistor can be powered. But I don’t see how we can power so many transistors, and all this intricate wiring to power billions of transistors in a SINGLE CPU?
Speaking of which, GPUs also run on transistors?
This is a really good video with really good visualization.
Linus Tech Tips also toured the Intel Fab, which is SUPER insightful
You should also watch Sam Zeloof videos to understand.
Types of Transistor
Ethan Childerhorse taught me this, but there are two types of transistors really.
Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT)
Current controlled
This is the type in the Arduino kits
MOSFET Transistor
These are voltage controlled
Old Notes
Transistors Explained by Engineering Mindset Transistors come in different shapes and sizes.
BIpolar and Field effect.
Small electronic compoennts with two main functions,
- switch circuits on and off
- Amplify signals
Three pins,
Emitter Base Collector
Why do we use transistors?
We can use a switch in a lightbulb and battery circuit.
0.6V to 0.8V for transistor to turn on.
NPN transitor
Conductor vs Insulator vs Semiconductor