Microchip Technology

What is a Microchip? How do microchips work? How do Pet Microchips Work? How are microchips made?

What is a Microchip? A microchip is a small semiconductor used to relay information via specific electrical characteristics. In some cases, the term can be used interchangeably with integrated circuit. The microchip is at the heart of many electronics, including computers, cell phones and even microwave ovens. The integrated circuit was an improvement from the vacuum tube and transistor. The integrated circuit did not burn out easily. It also allowed wires to interconnect on silicon wafers and perform different tasks. Beyond being used in electronic gadgets, they can be inserted into biological organisms as well. The microchip has even been credited as an invention which is used to save lives. Pacemakers use them in order to keep their timing so that they can run hearts efficiently. Likewise, some people have had microchips inserted into themselves. If they are ever incapacitated and need to be taken to the hospital, they are already carrying their full medical history inside their body. These can be easily scanned and the information downloaded for medical professionals to make the most appropriate decisions possible. In the future, it is envisioned people may have these devices implanted that will take care of many of the everyday tasks. Cars may start as the owner approaches, or doors to homes may unlock only for those who have chips programmed with the key. How do Pet Microchips Work? The technology of a pet microchip is simple and safe. The brilliance of a microchip implant is its simplicity. No bigger than a grain of rice, a pet microchip is a radio-frequency identification transponder made up of just a few components encased within a slender capsule of bioglass, which is used extensively for implants in both humans and animals. Some microchips have anti-migration features to ensure capsules stay in place by bonding with the tissue under the animal’s skin. A microchip’s sole function is to store a unique ID number that is used to retrieve a pet parent’s contact information—it differs from a Global Positioning System, which is used for tracking, and requires a power source such as a battery. When a microchip scanner is passed over the skin of a microchipped pet, the implanted microchip emits an RF (radio frequency) signal. The scanner reads the microchip’s unique ID code. The microchip registry is called, and the registry company uses the ID number to retrieve the pet parent’s contact information from the pet recovery database. Microchips have different frequencies. Microchips are passive devices, which means they have no internal energy source. They stay dormant until they are activated by a scanner. The 125kHz chip – until recently, this was the most common frequency in the __________America The 134kHz chip – was introduced to the America in 2004. This microchip is defined by specifications developed by the International Standards Organization or commonly known as ISO. The microchip ID code format for this chip is defined as a 15-digit numeric code that uses 0-9, where the first three digits represent a country code or a manufacturers code. This frequently is considered the “global standard” for pet microchips, as it is used by the rest of the pet microchipping world. • The 128 kHz chip – introduced in 2007, can be read by many scanners, but not all. Does the frequency matter? Yes and no. How Microchips Are Made Microchips are built layer by layer on a wafer of the semiconductor material silicon. The layers are built by a process called photolithography involving chemicals, gases, and light. First a layer of silicon dioxide is deposited on the surface of the silicon wafer, that layer is covered with a photosensitive chemical called a photoresist. The photoresist is exposed to ultraviolet light shined through a pattern, which only hardens the areas exposed to the light. Gas is used to etch into the remaining soft areas. This process repeated and modified builds the component circuitry. Conducting paths between the components are created by overlaying the chip with a thin layer of metal (aluminum). The photolithography and etching processes are used to remove the metal leaving only the conducting pathways. Microchip Technology Microcontrollers Integrated circuits (ICs) Microcontrollers Microchip is widely known for their line of PICMicro microcontrollers, and their MCU-related product line includes: PIC Microcontrollers 8-bit MCUs - PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18 16-bit MCUs - PIC24, dsPIC 32-bit MCUs - PIC32MX, PIC32MZ Legacy 8051 MCUs KEELOQ MCUs for security applications rfPIC MCUs for wireless sensor applications Computer software MPLAB IDE C and C++ compilers for PIC/dsPIC MCUs Code libraries for PIC/dsPIC MCUs Development hardware MPLAB series (debuggers & programmers for professionals) PICKit series (programmers for hobbyists and students) Integrated circuits The Microchip product line of integrated circuits include: Memory storage devices Serial EEPROM chips Serial SRAM chips Serial Flash chips Parallel Flash chips Interface devices USB controllers ZigBee/MiWi controllers CAN/LIN controllers Ethernet controllers Power management devices Battery charge controllers (Li-Ion, NiMH, Multi-Chemistry) Power MOSFETs Voltage regulators Motor drivers PWM-based controllers DC motor controllers BLDC motor controllers Touch sensing mTouch (capacitive sensor technology) RightTouch (turn-key capacitive sensor technology) GestIC (3D Tracking and gesture detection technology) Haptics (Eccentric Rotating Mass (ERM) actuators) Ultrasound devices Ultrasound switches Ultrasound transmitters Products PIC® Microcontrollers 8-bit PIC® MCUs 16-bit PIC® MCUs & dsPIC® DSCs 32-bit PIC® MCUs Amplifiers & Linear Automotive Connectivity and HMI Solutions Data Converters Data & Video Transceivers Display/LED Drivers Embedded Controllers and Super I/O Interface Internet of Things Legacy 8051/80C51 MCUs Memory Motor Drivers Power Management Real-Time Clock Safety & Security Thermal Management Touch and Input Sensing Ultrasound Products Wireless Audio Wireless Product Selection Tools Parametric Search Tool Microchip Advanced Parts Selector - MAPS Development Tools Selector - DTS Analog and Interface Products Presentation Applications Audio & Speech Automotive Battery Management CAN Computing Displays Embedded Security Ethernet High Temperature High Voltage Home Appliance Intelligent Power Lighting LIN Low Power Medical Metering Motor Control & Drive Smart Energy Smartphone Accessories Touch and Input Sensing USB Ultrasound Wireless Audio Wireless Connectivity Here are further guidelines.