TechInsights - The much anticipated Intel 14 nm is finally here!

OTTAWA, Ontario, Nov. 5, 2014 -- TechInsights, the global leader in semiconductor technical analysis, intellectual property consulting and patent brokerage services, is analyzing the Intel 5Y70 processor fabricated using Intel's state-of-the-art 14 nm Tri-gate (finFET) CMOS process.

Our soon to be published reports, Detailed Structural Analysis and Multi-Temperature Transistor Characteristics of the Intel 14 nm 5Y70 Processor, will provide both a comprehensive analysis of the structures and materials used to fabricate the device, along with the electrical performance characteristics of the core logic NMOS and PMOS transistors.

Intel debuted its finFET process with its 22 nm node IVY Bridge Processor in 2012, a market first at the time; and Intel remains the only foundry with a full production finFET CMOS process. Intel rightly claims its 2nd generation finFET process with the introduction of the Core-M series of processors, including the Broadwell based 5Y70 processor.

The 5Y70 features Intels 14 nm node finFET transistors having a 70 nm contacted gate pitch, sub-42 nm fin pitch, sub-60 nm pitch metal interconnects and sub 0.06 µm² 6T SRAM cell. Air gaps between densely packed metal lines are used for the first time in a logic process.

. TEM image of the 70 nm contacted gate pitch FinFET
transistors.

TEM image of Intel's 14 nm transistors with sub -40 nm
fin pitch.

Preliminary sample data from the single temp TC analysis is shown below. The first plot is the transfer characteristics (Id vs. Vgs), the second plot is the family of curves (Id vs. Vds) for the logic NMOS transistors.

View gallery

. Note: The data is not normalized to the size of the
transistor.

Foundries rarely disclose the details of their technologies, making TechInsights structural analysis and transistor characterization reports a critical tool for benchmarking purposes. TechInsights' has analyzed Intel's process technologies since 1995 offering valuable insight into their Processor Roadmap. Over the past decade, Intel developed both CPU and SoC processes to maintain their lead in the PC/server markets and penetrate mobile applications. Their 45 nm Atom processor may have been the first salvo in the mobile space, with the intent being reiterated with their 22 nm node Valleyview SoC. There can be no doubt about Intel's intention to be a major supplier to the mobile and laptop/ table markets at the 14 nm node.

Intel has a wide variety of products (processors and SoC's) requiring different designs at each particular technology node. SoC products often incorporate passive components (resistors, capacitors and inductors) that are often not seen in regular CPU products.
TechInsights Structural Analysis and Transistor Characteristics reports provide key insights into Intel's manufacturing technologies used in their industry leading 14 nm Tri-gate p5Y70 processor.

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