Why are electronics getting smaller?

It’s a question that’s not often asked but is more so an expectation of the products we’re looking to buy. As consumers we associate smaller with better or more advanced but sometimes there’s more to it than just thinner iPhones. In fields like aerospace, medical, military, and security this is an important factor.

The miniaturization of electronics is pushed by those industries that demand greater speed, efficiency, power, and decreased weight. The result is better medical imaging equipment, blindingly fast electronics, and smaller form factors. But it all comes at a cost.

Shrinking electronics while maintaining their functions requires massive amounts of R&D while the focus on cost is put on the back burner. Processor dyes have been consistently shrinking for years from 90nm 10 years ago to Intel’s latest 14nm of today. PC board fabrication has witnessed a 75-80% reduction the size of the holes and line widths manufacturers are able to produce.

These leaps in manufacturing are allowing our rockets to carry larger payloads, lifesaving medical equipment to be made more portable, etc.  As we grow accustomed to these advancements we will set forth new goals based on needs and expectations. These developments will also reveal problems or weaknesses inherent in shrinking electronics.   

Managing these weaknesses is allowing for more compact packaging of different sensors and processors and with huge increases in resistance to extreme environments. Think along the lines of something like a GoPro or on the other end of the spectrum, a satellite.

Ultimately it’s our need for speed coupled with the drive from the aerospace, medical, military, and security sectors push our miniaturization of electronics. We as consumers benefit from the “trickle down” effect to our every day devices. As these technologies pass into consumers hands they become much more affordable.