The TA7642 is a 3-pin monolithic AM radio IC developed by Toshiba in the 1970s as a successor to earlier designs like the ZN414 and MK484. It functions as a complete AM radio receiver for the medium wave band (530–1600 kHz), incorporating detection and amplification in a single chip. Known for its simplicity, low power consumption (about 0.3 mA), and operation at low voltages (1.1V to 1.8V), it became popular among hobbyists and educators for building basic AM radios. The IC requires only a few external components, typically used with a tuned circuit and an amplifier, making it ideal for crystal radio upgrades and compact AM radio designs.