# 573 series integrated circuits

> Soviet series of (mostly) EPROM integrated circuits

**Wikidata**: [Q115824831](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115824831)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/573-series-integrated-circuits

## Summary
The 573 series is a Soviet line of integrated circuits primarily consisting of erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). These nonvolatile memory chips utilize an array of floating-gate transistors that can be electronically programmed and are typically erased through exposure to strong ultraviolet (UV) light.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Integrated circuit series and a subclass of erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).
- **Origin:** Developed and produced in the Soviet Union.
- **Manufacturer:** Manufactured by SPP Kvazar.
- **Technology:** Comprises an array of floating-gate transistors for data storage.
- **Memory Type:** Nonvolatile memory, meaning it retains data without a power supply.
- **Erasure Method:** Erasable via exposure to strong UV light.
- **Standardization:** Complies with the Soviet integrated circuit designation system.
- **Programming:** Individual transistors are programmed by an electronic device.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the 573 series integrated circuits?
A: The 573 series functions as nonvolatile memory, specifically EPROM. It allows for the electronic programming of data into an array of floating-gate transistors, which can then be erased and repurposed using ultraviolet light.

### Q: Who produced the 573 series?
A: These integrated circuits were manufactured by SPP Kvazar in the Soviet Union. They were designed to meet specific Soviet integrated circuit designation standards.

### Q: How is data removed from a 573 series chip?
A: Data is removed by exposing the chip to strong ultraviolet (UV) light. This process erases the programmed state of the floating-gate transistors, allowing the chip to be programmed with new information.

## Why It Matters
The 573 series represents a foundational component of Soviet semiconductor technology, serving as a primary line of erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). These integrated circuits provided the Soviet electronics industry with a reliable method for nonvolatile data storage, which is essential for maintaining information even when power is removed. By utilizing an array of floating-gate transistors, the 573 series allowed for precise electronic programming of individual memory cells. This technology was particularly important because it offered flexibility that standard read-only memory lacked; the chips could be erased using strong ultraviolet (UV) light and subsequently reprogrammed. Manufactured by SPP Kvazar, the series demonstrates the Soviet Union's internal capabilities in producing complex memory architectures. Furthermore, the series' compliance with the Soviet integrated circuit designation system ensured it was a standardized part of the technological ecosystem, allowing for interoperability across various Soviet computing and electronic systems. As a specialized subclass of EPROM, the 573 series played a vital role in the development and maintenance of hardware that required semi-permanent yet alterable firmware or data storage solutions.

## Notable For
- **Erasability:** Distinguished by the ability to be completely erased through UV light exposure for reuse.
- **Soviet Standards:** Strictly adheres to the Soviet integrated circuit designation for standardized technical identification.
- **Nonvolatile Storage:** Employs floating-gate transistor technology to ensure data persistence without power.
- **Manufacturing Origin:** Produced by the specialized Soviet manufacturer SPP Kvazar.

## Body
### Technical Classification and Design
The 573 series is classified as an integrated circuit series, specifically falling under the subclass of erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). The architecture of these chips consists of an array of floating-gate transistors. These transistors serve as the individual memory cells that store data.

### Programming and Erasure
The 573 series chips are nonvolatile, meaning the stored information is not lost when the device is powered down. 
- **Programming:** The chips are programmed using an electronic device that sets the state of the floating-gate transistors.
- **Erasure:** To clear the memory, the chip must be exposed to strong ultraviolet (UV) light. This exposure resets the transistors, making the device ready for a new cycle of programming.

### Manufacturing and Standards
The series was manufactured in the Soviet Union, with SPP Kvazar identified as a primary manufacturer. Every component in the series complies with the Soviet integrated circuit designation, a system used to categorize and label semiconductor devices based on their functional and technical characteristics. This ensured that the 573 series integrated circuits were compatible with the broader infrastructure of Soviet electronic hardware.