Two Years to Advance a Process Node
According to DIGITIMES, it generally takes two years to advance a process manufacturing node to a next generation. “DRAM makers usually take two years”.
In fact, in the past “the transition period has been as long as three years”.
Come to think of it, Intel introduces a new process about every other year. However, IBM and its fabrication partners have been striving to introduce new and smaller process nodes more quickly than every two years, possibly in an attempt to catch up with Intel.
Matsushita beat Intel to a 45-nm process node shipping product. However, Matsushita’s 45-nm process lacked a high-k/metal gate technology, which cuts down on the leakage of electrical current.
New process technologies may appear every other year. However, the technologies that make up process technologies can stretch back ten years. Teams work in parallel. There’s research, then development, then the process goes into production.
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