Intel 32nm High-K Metal Gate (HKMG) recognized as most innovative logic process

OTTAWA, CANADA: UBM TechInsights has announced Intel Corp. as the winner of the Most Innovative Logic Process award in TechInsights' 9th Annual Insight Awards. Intel's 32nm process was utilized in the Clarkdale/Westmere processors analyzed by UBM TechInsights.

Carl Wintgens, Senior Process Analyst at UBM TechInsights showed in his EETimes article that Intel has continued to deliver their major process nodes at a schedule that adheres to Moore's Law despite the serious challenges in sub-sub-micron process technology. Competitors have also been able to conform to the law, so far, but it appears schedules are slipping and Intel's technology lead is increasing.

Wintgens commented, "We completed the analysis of a 2nd generation HKMG process from Intel without having yet seen a 1st generation process in production from anyone else."

Far from being a simple shrink, there are noticeable improvements in Intel's 32nm devices over the 45nm generation, including transistor drive current (with PMOS approaching NMOS capabilities), reduced leakage current, and higher speed/performance all traced to process technology changes.