MLchartDataset catalogue

Dennard scaling

Term · Semiconductors · MLC-T-SEM-000088

A scaling theory proposed by Robert Dennard in 1974, which predicted that as transistor dimensions shrink, power density remains constant while performance improves. This theory suggested that voltage and current could be scaled down proportionally with transistor dimensions, leading to reduced power consumption per unit area. Dennard scaling was a guiding principle for semiconductor technology for decades, though its limits have been reached in modern nodes.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-SEM-000088
FieldSemiconductors
SubjectDesign, EDA & Devices
Record as JSON 
{
  "id": "MLC-T-SEM-000088",
  "term": "Dennard scaling",
  "field": "Semiconductors",
  "definition": "A scaling theory proposed by Robert Dennard in 1974, which predicted that as transistor dimensions shrink, power density remains constant while performance improves. This theory suggested that voltage and current could be scaled down proportionally with transistor dimensions, leading to reduced power consumption per unit area. Dennard scaling was a guiding principle for semiconductor technology for decades, though its limits have been reached in modern nodes.",
  "subject": "Design, EDA & Devices",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/semiconductors/dennard-scaling/"
}

Record 83 of 390 in Semiconductors terminology (MLC-0108). Request the full dataset.