A brief History of mixed Circuit and Module Technology(2)

Performance

Military and aerospace systems are generally designed on the basis of modular subsystems. For example, field replaceable units (LRUs) simplify service and operational support. LRU interconnection relies on standards such as MIL-STD-1553 bus interfaces. Implementing these functions in hybrid circuits, modules, ASIC macros, or on a standard format circuit board have become the preferred method; in fact, they are specialized for standard products and basic components.

This highlights two important factors. First of all, there is no merit in reinventing the system, and it is more effective to let designers focus on the core intellectual property of the system. Second, by today's standards, the military and aerospace industries are small users of semiconductors, and developing modular or circuit board solutions is a more realistic proposition than developing a single-chip IC-level ASSP.