Integrated circuits are the basic component of modern microelectronics [microelectronics: technology dealing with the building of electronic circuits and devices using microchips (large numbers of extremely small integrated circuits) ]

You need to know about three types of integrated circuit that are important in controlling electronic systems. These are: monostable [monostable: (a circuit) having two states, one of which is stable. A monostable circuit needs to be pushed into the unstable state by a control input, and will jump back after a set time to the stable state - giving a single, timed output signal. ] and astable [astable: (a circuit) having two states, neither of which is stable. An astable circuit therefore oscillates between the two states, giving a constant on/off digital output. Used, for example, to make LEDs flash continuously. ] timer circuits, operational amplifiers, and counter circuits.