Active circuit
That area of a die which contains all functional circuit elements.

Active device:
A device which, when subjected to a current or voltage, exhibits either gain (amplification) and/or control characteristics, or a device which converts input signal energy into output signal energy through interaction with the energy from an auxiliary source(s).

Analog device:
A microcircuit in which the output is a mathematical function of the input.

Angstrom (A):
A unit of length. 104Å = 1 micron or 1010Å = 1 m (meter).

AQL:
Average Quality Level-The maximum acceptable reject percentage on the average for all outgoing lots.

AQL:
Acceptable Quality Level-The maximum percent defective that can be considered acceptable as an average for all lots screened. The sample size used with a given AQL will prevent acceptance of 95% of all lots having a greater percent defective.

Architecture:
The functional design of a complex component, circuit or system, including both its hardware and its compatibility with external hardware and software.

Architecture:
The functional design of a complex component, circuit or system, including both its hardware and its compatibility with external hardware and software.

ASIC:
Application Specific Integrated Circuit. A custom or semicustom integrated circuit, such as a cell or gate array, created for a specific application. The complexity of ASICs typically requires significant use of CAD techniques.

ASSP
Application Specific Standard Product, An ASIC chip that is designed as a generic device for a particular market.

ATP:
Acceptance Test Plan-A document developed for the purpose of detailing all of the testing involved in device and/or lot acceptance.