Complimentary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) is a technology for constructing integrated circuits. CMOS technology is used in microprocessors, microcontrollers, static RAM, and other digital logic circuits.
CMOS technology is also used for several analog circuits such as image sensors (CMOS sensor), data converters, and highly integrated transceivers for many types of communication. Frank Wanlass patented CMOS in 1963 (US patent 3,356,858).
CMOS is also sometimes referred to as Complimentary-symmetry metal–oxide–semiconductor (or COS-MOS). The words “complimentary-symmetry” refer to the fact that the typical digital design style with CMOS uses Complimentary and symmetrical pairs of p-type and n-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) for logic functions.