Glossary: CMOS

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor : one of several semiconductor fabrication technologies and currently the most popular partly because it conserves power by putting p and n type transistors back to back. This is also possible with silicon film TFTCs and ones made using organic semiconducting films. However, achieving both p and n type with polymer films based on printing inks is a relatively recent development.. CMOS advantages for chip cards, tickets and tags are that it has a low power consumption, operates faster and is resistant to electronic noise. CMOS can operate over a wide range of supply voltages. CMOS circuits are susceptible to damage by static electricity so care is required when handling them. They are Field Effect Transistors FETs.