Gartner believes that a key market for SOI-based wafers will consist of microprocessors used in mobile phones and PDAs, which could see the demand for SOI wafers top an extra 500,000 per annum. With ARM and others now collaborating within the recently formed SOI Industry Consortium, the mobile MPU space could see SOI become a mainstream technology due to its ability for low power consumption levels compared with bulk silicon. 

The key challenge for SOI remains the cost over that of bulk silicon, especially in the ultra cost-sensitive consumer markets. According to Gartner, the cost of an SOI wafer is still approximately three times more expensive than an epitaxy wafer and five times that of bulk silicon wafers.

Gartner noted in its weekly newsletter to clients that the new SOI Industry Consortium is an important step in pushing SOI technology into the mainstream now that IBM and Freescale have put their weight behind the consortium. It is hoped that new IC designs will proliferate and take advantage of the floating body effect inherent in SOI.

With increased gate-leakage experienced in devices using 65 and 45nm technology, SOI has a better chance of being used in mobile consumer products that have a greater need for low-power consumption and improved battery life.