Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  Directory

Keywords: Match:
Intel forges forward with 45nm processor tech
Jan. 29, 2007

Labeling it "one of the biggest advancements in fundamental transistor design," Intel on Jan. 27 said it is utilizing two "dramatically new" materials to build the insulating walls and switching gates for 45nm (nanometer) transistors. The company also said that five early-version 45nm processors are up and running.

According to Intel, the new 45nm technology will ensure that Moore's Law, Intel Co-Founder Gordon Moore's observation dating back to 1965 that transistor counts double about every two years, will "[thrive] well into the next decade."

The breakthrough involves an innovative combination of new materials that drastically reduces transistor leakage and increases performance in its 45nm process technology, according to the company. A "high-k" material will be used for the transistor gate dielectric, and a new combination of metal materials for the transistor gate electrode.

Transistor gate leakage -- associated with ever-thinner silicon dioxide gate dielectric required by continually shrinking geometries -- is recognized by the industry as one of the most formidable technical challenges facing Moore's Law, according to Intel. To solve this critical issue, the company replaced the silicon dioxide with a thicker hafnium-based high-k material in the gate dielectric, reducing leakage by more than 10 times compared to silicon dioxide.

In order to overcome the problem that the high-k gate dielectric is not compatible with today's silicon gate electrode, the new 45nm transistor approach required Intel to develop new metal gate materials. While details of the specific metals being used remain secret, the company says it will employ a combination of different metal materials for the transistor gate electrodes.

Intel claims that the combination of the high-k gate dielectric with the metal gate produces more than 20 percent greater drive current, resulting in higher transistor performance. Conversely, it reduces source-drain leakage by more than five times, thus improving the energy efficiency of the transistor.

Intel says it currently has more than 15 products based on 45nm technology in development -- under the code name "Penryn" -- covering the mobile, desktop, workstation, and enterprise segments.

The Penryn family includes new microarchitecture features for greater performance and power management capabilities, as well as higher core speeds and up to 12 megabytes of cache, according to the company. Designs for these products will incorporate more than 400 million transistors for dual-core processors, and more than 800 million for quad-core chips.

In a statement associated with this announcement, Moore said, "The implementation of high-k and metal materials marks the biggest change in transistor technology since the introduction of polysilicon gate MOS transistors in the late 1960s."

Intel adds that it "remains on track" for 45nm production in the second half of this year.



Related stories:


(Click here for further information)


Windows XP for Embedded Applications
This white paper describes the benefits of using Windows XP when developing embedded applications.

A Manager's Guide to Selecting a Mobile Device Operating System
This white paper offers a comparative review of Microsoft Windows CE and Windows Mobile.

Visual Basic 6.0 to .NET Migration
This paper focuses on the methodology and techniques which Infosys (Microsoft Technology Center) has developed for migrating VB 6.0 Applications to .NET. Our approach ensures a smooth, cost effective, and efficient migration.

Mobile Device Security: Securing the Handheld, Securing the Enterprise
This whitepaper identifies security threats to corporate data on mobile devices and details how mobile devices can become a "backdoor" to the enterprise.

Mobile Device Security: The Eight Areas of Risk
It's common knowledge that adding mobile devices to your network increases security risks. There are multiple facets to mobile security, all of which should be paid close attention to. This E-Guide presents a more in depth look into the eight key areas of securing wireless devices.

Quality Assurance and .NET
This paper discusses best practices for functional, regression and load testing of .NET applications.

SCADA Security in Integrated Networks
As businesses leverage their SCADA systems by integrating them into the business networks, they must also assure the security of the SCADA system.

The Advantages of Small Form Factor HMI
HMIs have mutated and changed with new requirements, and they have become more flexible and capable. And while they've been doing that, they've become smaller and more useful.

9 Critical Requirements for Web Application Security
Learn why your Web applications expose dangerous security breaches and what’s required to effectively protect your Web applications and the sensitive information behind them.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)


Updated! The latest Windows-powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets

HOT TOPICS
Microsoft targets PNDs with new embedded OS
Microsoft tips .NET MF 3.0 highlights
Microsoft previews Windows Embedded Standard
Microsoft offers free Windows CE 6.0 textbook
Microsoft renames embedded operating systems
Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1
New Atom models target low-cost PCs
REFERENCE GUIDES
Windows Device Showcase
Intro to Windows Embedded
Intro to Shared Source
Real-time Windows Embedded
Windows Embedded books
Join our Windows Embedded discussion forums:
Windows XP Embedded
Windows CE
Windows Mobile


Windows Embedded developer newsgroups
Windows CE
XP Embedded
PocketPC
Smartphone

Microsoft's Windows Embedded resources
Embedded dev center
Mobile dev center
Windows CE tutorials
XP Embedded tutorials
Windows Embedded seminars
Windows Embedded application categories
3rd-party partners


BREAKING NEWS

• Video helps port drivers to Windows CE 6.0
• Nettop is "almost fanless"
• App edits Office docs on smartphones
• HTC phones rev'd to Windows Mobile 6.1
• MID revs to Atom, HSDPA
• 3D world demo'd on Windows Mobile device
• HTC keeps non-touchscreen faith
• Patent dispute threatens GPS imports
• SBC uses Pentium M SoC
• Windows Mobile app plays YouTube, streamed media
• ESC Boston features free SBCs
• Windows CE PMP has 30GB HDD
• AMD preps low-powered Atom killer
• Windows CE tablet has swiveling camera
• August brings four critical XPe patches


MOST POPULAR (last 90 days)
• "Netbook" uses Intel's Atom N270
• Updated! Windows Mobile Showcase
• iPhone-like Windows Mobile device has 16GB of storage
• Windows Mobile 6.1 phone has GPS
• Windows Mobile trouncing the iPhone?
• Updated! Windows-powered mobile tablets, webpads, UMPCs, and MIDs
• HTC phone has slide-out keyboard and TV output
• T-Mobile's Touch Diamond clone does HSUPA
• Intel's Atom powers mini-ITX board
MOST POPULAR (Classics from the vault)
The Windows Mobile Phones Showcase
Windows XP Embedded USB boot
Troubleshooting Windows XPe's blue screen "Stop 0x0000007B" error
Asus reveals $190 mini notebook
Windows Mobile 6 SDKs available for download
HTC adds GPS to Windows Mobile Touch line
Windows Mobile VPN client plays with Cisco
Guide to HTC's Windows Mobile smartphone platforms
Customizing Windows XP Embedded thin clients
Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1
The Windows Mobile Pocket PCs Showcase

Also visit our sister sites:


Sign up for WindowsForDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  Directory  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and is used by WindowsForDevices under license from owner. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. WindowsForDevices is an independent publication not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.