Intel Researchers Discover Improved Circuit Protection for Enhanced Transistor Integration
Intel researchers have developed a better method for protecting circuits, allowing for more transistors to be integrated into each processor (CPU) while saving energy.
By 2010, Intel is expected to begin producing chips featuring three-gate transistors, which could increase speed by 45% or reduce overall energy consumption by 35% compared to current chips manufactured using the 65nm process, according to Mike Mayberry, an Intel official.
This advancement could serve as a powerful sales tool, as energy efficiency is a key marketing strategy today. The ability to incorporate more transistors into CPUs will also help maintain Moore’s Law, which was articulated 40 years ago by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, stating that the number of transistors on a chip would double approximately every two years.
Three-gate transistors are a component of the standard CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) design, controlling the flow of electrons around each conductor across three terminals instead of the previous single terminal.
While the technology is still in the conceptual stage, Intel’s designers will be able to swiftly implement it into new chips, as they can utilize existing equipment in their manufacturing facilities.
Intel has announced plans to produce more chips using the 65nm process by Q3 2006, transition to the 45nm process in 2007, and adopt the 32nm process in 2009.
