Will a timely move to 45nm process technology give Intel the next generation of more power efficient microprocessors?  

Intel is lining up new processor developments for the next CMOS process node at 45nm on a scale not seen for previous process changes.

The microprocessor firm has no fewer than 15 different 45nm Hi-k product designs in various stages of development and is already committed to having two 45nm manufacturing fabs in production by the end of the year, with four in production by the second half of 2008.

In February, Intel confirmed it was accelerating the production ramp of is first 45nm server Xeon chip which will start in Q4 rather than the earlier target of Q1 2008.

According to Intel senior fellow Mark Bohr, the company has working versions of its Silverthorne processor based on its 45nm Hi-k low power microarchitecture. Target applications for these processors are a new class of high performance mobile device which could be a PC or an Internet terminal.

Silverthorne joins already working versions of its 45nm Hi-k Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Intel Xeon family of processors, said Bohr.

Microprocessor rival, AMD also sees the 45nm process node as critical and is working with IBM on immersion lithography for 45nm processes, but these may only become available in Q4 this year. 

But Intel seems to be accelerating its move to 45nm process technology for its mobile devices. The next generation mobile processor based on Centrino and dubbed Santa Rosa is due for release in May, but it will quickly move to a 45nm Hi-k dual core mobile processor, codenamed Penryn early next year. A third generation of power efficient mobile processor will follow later in the year when for the first time Intel will make integrated Wi-Fi/WiMAX functionality available.

For its part, AMD has committed to deliver 45nm microprocessors by mid-2008. The company is currently working on the process and development aspect of the manufacturing node, which is going well, AMD’s spokesperson noted.

Intel believes it has extended its lead of more than a year over the rest of the semiconductor industry and is on track for 45nm production in the second half of the year.

According to Anand Chandrasekher, senior v-p and general manager of Intel’s Ultra Mobility Group: “The Intel Ultra Mobile platform 2007 combines the flexibility of a PC with the mobility of a handheld device, but we will not stop here. In 2008, Intel will deliver an entirely new platform based on Intel’s 45nm low-power microarchitecture designed from the ground up to let people to carry their personal mobile Internet in their pocket."

Mark Bohr also added that Intel is already working on technology for 32nm and 22nm process technology nodes. Specific research in this area is focusing on tri-gate transistors, Indium Antimonide quantum well transistors and carbon nanotube interconnects.

http://www.intel.com/pressroom/idf