# 116 series integrated circuits

> a series of Soviet germanium integrated circuits for avionic developed in the 1960s

**Wikidata**: [Q119877543](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q119877543)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/116-series-integrated-circuits

## Summary
The 116 series integrated circuits are a series of Soviet germanium integrated circuits developed in the 1960s specifically for avionic applications. This series was based on the R12-2, the first production monolithic integrated circuits made in the Soviet Union, and was manufactured by Alfa until 1995.

## Key Facts
- The 116 series was developed in the Soviet Union, starting in 1960, specifically for avionic applications.
- These integrated circuits are made of germanium, a semiconductor material commonly used in early integrated circuits.
- The series was based on the R12-2, which were the first production monolithic integrated circuits made in the Soviet Union.
- The 116 series was manufactured by Alfa and complies with Soviet integrated circuit designation standards.
- Industrial manufacturing of the 116 series ended in 1995 after 35 years of production.
- The series is also known by the aliases "Квант" (Kvant) and "Quant".
- The 116 series is classified as an integrated circuit series, a subclass of integrated circuits and logic circuits.

## FAQs
### Q: What were the 116 series integrated circuits used for?
A: The 116 series integrated circuits were specifically designed for avionic applications in Soviet aircraft and aerospace systems. They formed part of the technological infrastructure for Soviet aerospace during the Cold War era.

### Q: How long were the 116 series integrated circuits in production?
A: Production of the 116 series began in 1960 and continued until 1995 when industrial manufacturing ended, giving this series a lifespan of 35 years.

### Q: What is the relationship between the 116 series and the R12-2 integrated circuits?
A: The 116 series was based on the R12-2, which were the first production monolithic integrated circuits made in the Soviet Union. The R12-2 development began in 1960 with Yevgeny Lyakhovich and continued in 1961 with Yury Osokin, forming the technological foundation for the 116 series.

### Q: What material were the 116 series integrated circuits made from?
A: The 116 series integrated circuits were made from germanium, a semiconductor material that was commonly used in early integrated circuits before silicon became the standard.

### Q: Who manufactured the 116 series integrated circuits?
A: The 116 series integrated circuits were manufactured by Alfa, a Soviet company that complied with Soviet integrated circuit designation standards.

## Why It Matters
The 116 series integrated circuits represent a significant milestone in Soviet electronics development during the Cold War. As a domestic series of germanium-based integrated circuits specifically designed for avionics, they were crucial for reducing dependency on Western technology in aerospace systems. The series, spanning from 1960 to 1995, demonstrates the Soviet Union's commitment to developing indigenous semiconductor technology despite global technological isolation. Based on the pioneering R12-2, the first production monolithic integrated circuits in the Soviet Union, the 116 series highlights a foundational achievement in Soviet electronics manufacturing. Its 35-year production lifespan indicates technological reliability and enduring importance in Soviet military and aerospace applications.

## Notable For
- The 116 series were the first Soviet integrated circuits specifically developed for avionic applications, filling a critical gap in domestic aerospace electronics.
- Based on the R12-2, which were the first production monolithic integrated circuits in the Soviet Union, giving the series foundational technological significance.
- The series maintained production for an impressive 35 years (1960-1995), demonstrating its technological reliability and value to Soviet aerospace systems.
- The 116 series was manufactured entirely domestically by Alfa, representing Soviet technological self-sufficiency during the Cold War.
- The use of germanium instead of silicon places the series within a specific technological era, showing the evolution path of Soviet integrated circuit development.

## Body
### Development and Origins
The 116 series integrated circuits emerged in the Soviet Union in 1960, representing a significant advancement in domestic semiconductor technology. This series was based on the R12-2, the first production monolithic integrated circuits made in the Soviet Union. The development of the R12-2 began in 1960 under Yevgeny Lyakhovich and continued in 1961 with Yury Osokin, forming the technological foundation for the 116 series.

### Technical Specifications
The 116 series are germanium-based integrated circuits, using this semiconductor material rather than silicon. This choice reflects the technological standards of the 1960s when germanium was more commonly used in early integrated circuits. The series was specifically designed for avionic applications, engineered to meet the rigorous requirements of aerospace environments. The circuits comply with Soviet integrated circuit designation standards, indicating a standardized approach to part numbering within the Soviet electronics industry.

### Production and Manufacturing
Industrial manufacturing of the 116 series was carried out by Alfa, a Soviet electronics manufacturer. The series was in production from 1960 to 1995, giving it a lifespan of 35 years. The end of production in 1995 coincides with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, suggesting that economic and political changes may have influenced the discontinuation of the series.

### Classification and Relationships
The 116 series is classified as an integrated circuit series, sharing the same part prefix with other circuits in the series. It is a subclass of both integrated circuits and logic circuits. The series is part of the broader category of Soviet electronics that adhered to domestic standards rather than international conventions, reflecting the technological isolation during the Cold War.

### Documentation and Resources
The 116 series is also known by the aliases "Квант" (Kvant) and "Quant." Documentation about the series is available in Russian at http://www.155la3.ru/k102.htm. The series has a presence on Wikimedia Commons, with an image available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/116_series_germanium_ICs_06.jpg, providing visual documentation of these historical electronic components.