Terminology » Memristor vs. Transistor: Understanding Key Differences

Memristor vs. Transistor: Understanding Key Differences

memristor transistor electronics components passive device

This article explores the differences between memristors and transistors, two fundamental components in modern electronics. Let’s dive in.

Transistor Basics

A transistor is a three-terminal active device that serves as either an amplifier or a switch. There are two main types:

  • Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs): These have emitter, base, and collector terminals.
  • Field-Effect Transistors (FETs): These have gate, source, and drain terminals.

Transistors are widely used in countless electrical and electronic circuits.

Memristor Basics

A memristor is a two-terminal passive component. It essentially relates electric charge and magnetic flux within an electronic circuit. Applications include:

  • Analog circuits
  • Digital circuits
  • Memory chips
  • Neural networks
  • Logic circuits

Memristors are typically fabricated using either:

  • Molecular & Ionic thin film techniques
  • Spin-based methods

Memristor vs. Transistor: A Detailed Comparison

The following table highlights the key differences between memristors and transistors:

ParametersMemristorTransistor
FunctionalityComposed of memory and resistor functionalities. It can control current and remembers charge flowed through it.Based on transistor types, it can control current (using BJT type) or voltage (using FET type).
Symbolmemristor symboltransistor symbols
Type of devicePassiveActive
State retentionIt retains state in the form of resistance.It retains state in the form of electric charge.
Bias requirementIt does not require a power source to retain data state.It requires a bias voltage source to retain data state.
Number of terminalsTwoThree (Source, Gate, and Drain)
ScalabilityIt is scalable by reducing the thickness of memristor materials.It is scalable by reducing lateral length and width dimensions between the input and output electrodes.
CapabilityIt is capable of performing analog or digital electronic functionalities based on materials used.It is capable of performing analog or digital electronic functionalities based on applied bias voltages.
FabricationFabricated using optical lithography, with alternative mass production techniques implemented.Fabricated using optical lithography.
Switching speednsec rangeµs range