Analogue Filter Hybrid Integrated Circuit

A hybrid integrated circuit, HIC, hybrid microcircuit, or simply hybrid is a miniaturized electronic circuit constructed of individual devices, such as semiconductor devices (e.g. transistors and diodes) and passive components (e.g. resistors, inductors, transformers, and capacitors), bonded to a substrate or printed circuit board (PCB). If the components are on Printed Wiring Board (PWB) then, according to the definition of MIL-PRF-38534, it is not considered hybrid. A PCB can be called PWB if does not contain embedded components.

A hybrid circuit serves as a component on a PCB in the same way as a monolithic integrated circuit; the difference between the two types of devices is in how they are constructed and manufactured. Hybrid circuits for military and aerospace environments are usually in a metal case fitted with a hermetically sealed metal lid and glass insulated pins; ones for less demanding environments often have pins that are soldered to the edge of the substrate (usually ceramic) and protected by a polymer coating.

The advantage of hybrid circuits is that components which cannot be included in a monolithic IC can be used, e.g., capacitors of large value, wound components, crystals, inductors. Thick film technology is often used as the interconnecting medium for hybrid integrated circuits.