All electronic products and equipment contain components. There are four basic categories of electronic components: semiconductors, passive components, printed circuit boards, and electromechanical components (connectors, switches). Vishay manufactures semiconductors (discrete semiconductors and some types of integrated circuits) and passive components. These components are attached to printed circuit boards for use in end-products of all kinds. Vishay also manufactures measurement sensors and equipment.

Discrete Semiconductors (diodes, transistors, optoelectronic components) typically perform a single function in electronic circuits, the purpose of which is switching, amplifying, or rectifying and transmitting electrical signals. Semiconductors are referred to as "active" components because they require power to function.

Passive Components (resistors, capacitors, inductors) do not require a power supply to handle the signals that pass through them. Passive components are used to store electrical charges, to limit or resist electrical current, and for filtering, surge suppression, measurement, timing, and tuning applications.

Diodes are semiconductor devices that allow current to travel in only one direction. Different types of diodes perform a number of useful functions. These include emitting visible light (as in light-emitting diodes, or LEDs), emitting infrared energy (as in infrared diodes for remote controls), voltage regulation (as in Zener diodes), switching (as in switching diodes), or surge protection (as in suppressor diodes).

Rectifiers are semiconductors that convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC), a unidirectional current required for operation of many electronic systems. For example, a bridge rectifier is used in a clock radio to change the AC voltage from a wall outlet to a specific DC voltage.

Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) are made up of many individual transistors on one piece of silicon -- as many as six million transistors in the case of Trench power MOSFETs developed by Siliconix. TrenchFETâ power MOSFETs are used to switch and manage power. Leading-edge silicon and packaging technologies help power MOSFETs to perform this function more efficiently -- so a minimal amount of the energy passing through the device is wasted. Common uses include cell phones, notebook computers, communications networks, and electronics for automobiles.

Optoelectronic Components emit or detect light in electronic circuits. Types include infrared data communications devices (IRDCs) for wireless two-way data transfer; optocouplers for circuit isolation; IR emitters for one-way remote control; optical sensors for detection; and LEDs for light sources.

Infrared Data Communications Devices (IRDCs) are optoelectronic components that enable two-way, wireless data transmission at very fast speeds. An infrared transceiver includes an IR emitting device, a detecting device, and an integrated control IC, all part of a special package design with two integrated optical lenses. IRDCs are used in PDAs, cell phones, computers, digital cameras, and other products.

Integrated Circuits (ICs) take the functions of discrete semiconductor and passive components and combine them together on a single chip. These may include "on-board" transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors and other circuit components. Unlike discrete semiconductor components, which usually perform one function (such as switching), ICs are capable of performing multiple functions. Vishay produces analog switches and power ICs.

Resistors are passive components that restrict current flow. They are used in virtually all electronic circuits. Resistor categories include foil, thin film, thick film, metal oxide film, carbon film, and wirewound. Resistive products also include resistor networks and arrays, in which multiple components are combined in a single package, and thermistors (thermally sensitive resistors).

Magnetics are passive components, including inductors and transformers, that use an internal magnetic field to change the phase of electrical current. Magnetic devices are used to change voltage levels and to isolate system sections with different ground levels. Inductors are used to control AC current and voltage and filter out unwanted electronic signals.

Integrated Modules combine different Vishay components in a single package to save space, reduce assembly costs, and increase reliability. Vishay FunctionPAKTM dc-to-dc converter modules include all the active and passive components required for a complete power conversion solution in a single package that can be mounted directly to the circuit board.

Capacitors are widely used to store energy and discharge it when needed. They deliver a stable voltage for a wide variety of functions, including power conversion, DC-linking, frequency conversion, and bypass, decoupling, and filtering applications. Vishay capacitor types include tantalum (both solid and wet), ceramic (both multilayer chip and disk), film, power, heavy-current, and aluminum.

Vishay Strain Sensors and Equipment convert physical variables such as strain, force, weight, pressure, and displacement into measurable electrical signals. This broad product category includes both individual components and sophisticated instrumentation devices. Vishay is a leading manufacturer of strain gages, instrumentation (strain indicators, amplifiers, and data systems), transducers, and PhotoStress.