In spite of ICs, there are still many discrete components such as capacitors, resistors, diodes, LEDs, relays, crystals and switches needed to create complete equipment.
Design of components including ICs and individual semiconductors is ongoing by the large manufacturers to ensure their businesses retain a competitive edge.
Jacks, sockets, plugs, interconnects wired to special cables and modular connectors and splitters are needed in all equipment, as are specialised tools such as crimpers.
Batteries of lithium-ion, cadmium, metal hydride or lead acid can be used in place of mains power that is often switchmode, super regulated or specially designed for medical applications.
Used to link the real world with electronic equipment, they are available in various forms such as movement detection, temperature recording and light levels to ensure that machinery, for example, works within tolerance.
Increasing complexity of equipment means oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, analysers of various types, fibre-optic testers and signal generators have to deal with both analog and digital modes.
The use of short-range wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX and Bluetooth is only going to increase as its convenience over cable is put to wider use.