# Darlington transistor

> compound structure consisting of two bipolar transistors

**Wikidata**: [Q176011](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q176011)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlington_transistor)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/darlington-transistor

## Summary
A Darlington transistor is a compound structure consisting of two bipolar transistors connected together to function as a single unit. It is a specific electronic component and a subclass of transistor, named after its inventor, Sidney Darlington. This configuration, also known as a Darlington pair, is widely recognized in electronics and is distinct from the similar Sziklai pair topology.

## Key Facts
*   **Definition:** A compound structure consisting of two bipolar transistors.
*   **Classification:** It is a subclass of transistor and an instance of an electronic component.
*   **Inventor:** Sidney Darlington.
*   **Date of Invention:** 1953.
*   **Alternate Names:** Darlington configuration, Darlington pair, or darlingtonkobling.
*   **Components:** Has part(s): bipolar junction transistor.
*   **Related Topologies:** It is the "opposite of" the Sziklai pair.
*   **Global Presence:** The entity has Wikipedia pages in 29 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.
*   **Identifiers:**
    *   Freebase ID: `/m/0rk37`
    *   Elhuyar ZTH ID: `135095`
    *   Microsoft Academic ID: `118887899` (discontinued)
    *   Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition) IDs: `124089`, `394592`
*   **Visual Representation:** Commonly represented by IEEE symbol 8.6.17 and physically realized in packages such as the STMicroelectronics BD677A.

## FAQs
**Who invented the Darlington transistor and when?**
The Darlington transistor was invented by Sidney Darlington in 1953. It is named directly after him.

**What components make up a Darlington transistor?**
The device is a compound structure composed of two bipolar junction transistors. These transistors are configured together to act as a single electronic component.

**How does a Darlington transistor relate to other transistor configurations?**
It is considered a subclass of transistor and is categorized as an electronic component, defined as a basic discrete device used to affect electrons or their associated fields. In terms of circuit topology, it is considered the opposite of the Sziklai pair.

**What are the other names for a Darlington transistor?**
It is frequently referred to as a Darlington pair or Darlington configuration. In some databases, it is identified by the lex ID "darlingtonkobling."

## Why It Matters
The Darlington transistor matters because it integrates two bipolar transistors into a single compound structure, offering a specific utility within electronic systems as a discrete device used to affect electrons. Its invention in 1953 by Sidney Darlington established a distinct subclass of transistor that has been documented across global knowledge bases, from the Encyclopedia of China to Wikipedia, indicating widespread technical relevance. By defining a specific relationship between two bipolar junction transistors, it provides a fundamental building block in electronics distinct from other configurations like the Sziklai pair.

## Notable For
*   **Compound Structure:** It is distinct for being a structure consisting specifically of two bipolar transistors working in tandem.
*   **Eponym:** It is one of the few electronic components directly named after its inventor, Sidney Darlington.
*   **Standardization:** It possesses a specific IEEE icon/symbol (IEEE 315-1975 8.6.17), signifying its status as a standardized electronic element.
*   **Global Documentation:** It has a high sitelink count (30) and presence across 29 language wikis, reflecting broad international recognition in the engineering community.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
The Darlington transistor is defined in knowledge bases as a compound structure consisting of two bipolar transistors. It falls under the broad class of **electronic components**, which are basic discrete devices or physical entities in an electronic system used to affect electrons or their associated fields. Specifically, it is classified as a **subclass of transistor**.

Technically, the device is an **instance of an electronic component** that utilizes **bipolar junction transistors** as its constituent parts. It is known by several aliases, including "Darlington configuration," "Darlington pair," and the lex ID "darlingtonkobling."

### History and Attribution
The invention of the Darlington transistor is credited to **Sidney Darlington**, who serves as both the **discoverer/inventor** and the namesake ("named_after"). The specific **time of discovery or invention** is recorded as **1953**.

### Relationship to Other Components
In the taxonomy of electronics, the Darlington transistor has a defined relationship with other specific topologies. It is explicitly listed as the **opposite of** the **Sziklai pair**. This relationship highlights its position in circuit design theory relative to other compound transistor configurations.

### Visual and Media Representation
The component is visually identified through standardized symbols and physical hardware.
*   **Schematics:** The schematic symbol is standardized under **IEEE 315-1975 (1993) 8.6.17**, available via Wikimedia Commons.
*   **Physical Examples:** A notable physical representation cited is the **STMicroelectronics BD677A**, an example of the component found on power supply boards.

### Global Identifiers and Academic Recognition
The Darlington transistor is indexed under numerous identifiers across academic and knowledge platforms:
*   **Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition):** IDs `124089` and `394592`.
*   **Elhuyar ZTH ID:** `135095`.
*   **Microsoft Academic ID:** `118887899` (Note: this service is discontinued).
*   **Freebase ID:** `/m/0rk37` (Referenced from publication date 2013-10-28).
*   **Wikipedia:** The entity has a **sitelink count of 30**, with a **commons category** dedicated to "Darlington transistors." It is documented in 29 languages, including Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, German, English, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Simple English.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013