With the release of Ivy Bridge processors, Intel plans to move to mass production of 22-nm devices, which will use three-dimensional transistors structure. As response to public statements made by Intel , ARM and TSMC boost the process of developing 20-nm process technology. The first obtained samples was reported a month ago, today appeared a new information about processors Cortex-A15, which will be created on 20-nm technology.
Maria Marced , head of the European TSMC division , said that the transition from 28 nm to 20 nm technology will provide lower power consumption by 25%, processor performance will be increased by 15-20%, and transistor density increase by 1.9 times.
One of ARM leaders , Lance Howarth also told about the use of transistors in FinFet future processors. Transistors FinFet come to replace the traditional planar transistors, which were invented in 1959 and used in electronics today. With the thinning process technology it became possible to use a different, three-dimensional transistor architecture FinFet - these semiconductors are in the shape of fish fins and less than planar transistors. Howarth believes that Intel first experience with 3D-transistor will not be a technological breakthrough, and the potential of this architecture will be revealed much later. Thus, ARM has enough time to develop an effective architecture.
Currently, ARM focuses on the production of Cortex-A15 processors , 28-nm and 32 nm technology. It is assumed that the selection of suitable processors will begin next semester, and by the end of 2012, these solutions will find their way into commercial devices.