Technology company, I will become the light of China!

Chapter 104 SOC system-level chip simulation, 5G laboratory established!

The next day, the cold wind blew

The weather in eastern Guangdong changes at any time. Chen Xing puts on his down jacket, washes up briefly and eats before returning to Longxing Technology Company.

CEO’s office

He skillfully opened the computer and checked today’s emails

The first email, with the eye-catching title”Notice of Stopping OEM KT-001 Baseband Chip”, made Chen Xing suddenly look solemn.

Stop OEM…

That one finally took action

Neither Qualcomm nor Apple can stop TSMC. The only person who can stop TSMC is the person behind them.

If EDA software is the lifeblood of chip design companies, then the only thing that holds the lifeblood of chip foundries is lithography machines!

When it comes to lithography machines, the Dutch ASML company is naturally inseparable, but they are only responsible for assembling the entire machine. The one that really provides the core light source technology is actually the United States.

If the United States withdraws, there will be no EUV lithography machine in the world. On the contrary, the technology provided by other countries will be”substituted”.”

This is also the fundamental reason why the United States can indirectly strangle TSMC and make it obey.

A simple summary is that if you dare not follow the arrangements, all DUV and EUV lithography machines will stop for you, and you will still produce a hammer chip?

Chen Xing only needs to think about it for a moment to know who is responsible.

However, there was no comprehensive blockade, which shows that it was just a simple trial, and he did not pay too much attention to the suspension of production.

Because the Kaitian baseband chip is 28 nanometers, except for the DSP multi-core architecture, the production difficulty is not high. If TSMC does not produce it, then look for Loongson International to produce it.

At the beginning, Longxing Technology, Loongson International, and Longke Academy were all experienced leaders, and they were part of the semiconductor iron triangle.

“Unexpectedly, when I just started working, the first email sent me a big gift.”

Chen Xing sighed and closed the email.

Thanks to my correct judgment at the time, I chose to trust Loongson International, which was recommended by academicians such as Qu Cheng and Wang Jirong, and let them manufacture Qingzhou chips. If I had chosen TSMC at that time, I guess I would have faced comprehensive sanctions by now.

According to the characteristics of Mi Xixi, they will not allow the development of Longguo Enterprises to be so smooth. Secret development is the most important thing.

Qingzhou Chip is still a mystery. Until the answer is revealed, even if they impose sanctions, they will not be able to find the target of the sanctions unless they directly target Longxing Technology Company.

But is it possible?

Even if it’s possible, it doesn’t matter

If Loongson International is not sanctioned, the chips will still not break

When closing the first notification email, Chen Xing noticed the second email, which was from Li Zhenzhen of the Korean Star Group.

[Li Zhenzhen]：”They have begun to exert pressure. The Korean Star Group’s semiconductor business, like Loongson International, has been subject to varying degrees of sanctions. Although I don’t know where Qingzhou chips come from, the supply of M series screens may be cut off at any time. Find your own way out.”

Chen Xing read the second email and suddenly felt a little nervous.

It’s not because of the M series screens, but Korean Star Group and Loongson International have been affected. This shows that the other party is testing various companies in all directions and without blind spots.

Is Loongson International prepared?

Will the supply of Qingzhou chips be cut off?

Chen Xing thought a lot at this moment. How about simply expanding his business and attracting firepower himself to protect the hidden star of Loongson International?

While his thoughts were racing, he also noticed the third email in his mailbox, which was sent by Gao Yongming, the boss of Loongson International. The content of the email only contained four short words:

“Everything is as before!”

The four words”everything remains the same” show that they have been prepared

For the semiconductor industry, photoresist and wafers are basic materials. Longguo companies have been walking on thin ice for fear of being sanctioned one day, so they will definitely stock up in advance.

It is clear

Gao Yongming has stockpiles

Chen Xing can also feel a little relieved. TSMC stopped supplying it after half a month. He still has half a month to find the next one, or in other words, set up his own one.

……

While dealing with work emails, time passed by bit by bit, and the company intercom phone on the table rang.

“What’s up?”

[Front desk girl]：”President, a lady named Xia Wei said she would like to apply for a secretary position. Let me confirm with you.”

Xia Wei, the secretary recruited last night

Chen Xing did not hesitate and responded immediately:”Let her come up. By the way, there will be a batch of applicants today. I will send the list and let them come up if their names are correct.””

“good president”

Not long after hanging up the phone

Xia Wei, wearing an OL professional uniform and a pair of thick stockings, walked into the president’s office, holding a blue folder in her arms

“Hello, CEO, my name is Xia Wei, and I’m here to apply for a secretary position. I’m good at scheduling, organizing meetings, and organizing documents and forms.……”

While Xia Wei was still introducing, Chen Xing had already directly checked her panel.

【Name]: Xia Wei

【Type]: Secretary-type talents

【Qualification]: Purple

【Personality]: Cautious (can better complete the assigned tasks and reduce the possibility of making mistakes)

【Main direction]: Secretarial

【Loyalty]: 90

【Monthly salary]: 7,000 (an appropriate increase in salary can motivate talents)

【Special entries]: Talent placement (when the host is not in the company or on a business trip, Xia Wei will temporarily receive the talent and arrange the corresponding job position)

“Talent placement, this entry is good, it’s a good candidate to be a secretary”

Chen Xing commented in his heart

After a brief and rough understanding, he also arranged the task and said:”Guancheng factory has a collection list. You compile it into a report, mark the price and give it to me.”

“good president”

After adding WeChat and exchanging work emails, Xia Wei also reported to the Human Resources Department and was assigned a separate office for a secretary

In the next half hour, a total of twenty-two talents from blue quality and purple quality also arrived to report.

As it approached 10:40, the two golden-quality communication technology talents finally came to the president’s office hand in hand.

“Hello, CEO, my name is Qian Yu……”

【Name]: Qian Yu

【Type]: Scientific research talents

【Qualification]: Gold

【Personality]: Honest (can handle scientific research problems step by step, and have extremely solid basic skills)

【Main direction]: Information and communication technology

【Loyalty]: 90

【Monthly salary]: 70,000 (an appropriate increase in salary can motivate talents)

【Special entry]: Work hard (after assigning R&D tasks, you will be down-to-earth and meticulous in R&D, and the time to achieve scientific research results will be significantly reduced)

“Work hard on the entry, yes, he is a good candidate for scientific research.”

After checking Qian Yu’s panel, Chen Xing looked at Wang Yan’s panel. It was the same panel, and it also focused on information and communication technology.

After confirming that everyone was here, Chen Xing also called the bus driver and personally led the team to SEG Technology Park.

……

the other side

Inside SEG Technology Park

Longxing Technology Chip Laboratory

The slovenly Gao Zhengqian was concentrating on the EDA simulation experiment, and his eyeballs were filled with bloodshot eyes.

Of the original seven academicians, only two still have time to stay in the chip laboratory. One is Wang Dezhi and the other is Liu Dongsheng. They are also unkempt, with sloppy beards and messy hair.

obviously

They haven’t slept for a long time

loadAdv(7,3);

Maybe two days, maybe three days, maybe longer

Such high-intensity work frequently overwhelmed their bodies, but thinking that the SOC system-level chip was about to be completed, they felt that they could still carry it on.

nine months ago

As soon as the Kaitian baseband chip was designed, Chen Xing asked Gao Zhengqian to start developing SOC system-level chips.

What is a SOC system-on-chip?

It is like a big family. A SOC system-level chip includes central processing unit CPU, graphics processor GPU, media processor VPU, input and output controller, storage controller and so on!

After Gaotong has 4G baseband chips, why is it anxious to bundle Snapdragon processors for sale?

The reason is very simple. Snapdragon processors are SOC system-level chips. They just want to package and sell some of their other processor chips together.

You only want the baseband part?

Sorry, I have to buy other parts too!

Even other parts of Gaotong, such as GPU、VPU、I/If the O controller is not good enough, even if you don’t want it, even if there are better chip design companies outside than Gaotong, you will still have to suffer this dumb loss, because you need their baseband chip part.

Many chip design companies have also closed down due to reduced market share, and their businesses have been acquired at low prices for reorganization and integration.

Currently, the chips controlled by Longxing Technology include a Kaitian baseband chip and a Qingzhou processor chip. These two are independent, and the power consumption of the chips will increase accordingly. If you want to go further, they must be integrated. , let them be integrated into SOC system-on-chip

To achieve this goal, the chip team has barely had much rest for three months, and has been jumping repeatedly in design and optimization. The design of SOC system-level chips is too difficult.

And Bai Yan put even more pressure on it. The GPU graphics processor also uses a ten-core architecture, and also optimized the architecture of the Kaitian baseband chip, striving to be the most perfect.

“This is the ninth simulation verification, I hope it can pass”

Academician Wang Desheng muttered to himself

Although his lips were white and a little weak, his eyes were bright and bright. He was looking forward to witnessing the birth of the first domestically developed SOC system-level chip.

If the EDA simulation is successful, then success is not far away

This SOC system-level chip will officially compete with Snapdragon chips, Apple A-series chips, and Orion chips, which is another milestone breakthrough.

“It must be possible. Those old boys have all gone to teach, and we are left here. If the verification can be successful, you can see if I scold them on WeChat and it will be over.”

Liu Dongsheng cursed with dark circles under his eyes

These two academicians are almost 130 years old together. They have not closed their eyes for several days in a row. Gao Zhengqian and Bai Yan are actually very concerned about their health. They have advised them to rest several times, but they have been rejected.

witness!

They want to see it with their own eyes!

Gao Zhengqian had no choice. He couldn’t defeat these little old men. Who is the academician? He could only do the EDA simulation verification himself.

Fortunately, Longguo’s scientific research team is powerful enough. During this period, the Loongson EDA software was upgraded 20 times, and the country also indirectly helped the advent of this SOC commercial system-level chip.

“here we go”

Bai Yan stared at the screen and reminded

In the chip laboratory, all scientific researchers put aside their work to witness whether the verification was successful.

When using EDA software for simulation, the first step is to configure the simulation tools and establish the environment required for simulation verification.

The second step is functional simulation verification.

Use RTL code to perform circuit modeling and simulation, and then perform various tests by inputting test vectors or test scripts to verify various functions of the chip design.

The third step, timing simulation

Analog clock signals, timing paths and signal delays in circuits to ensure that the circuit meets timing requirements during normal operation

The fourth step, performance simulation

Step 5, power consumption simulation

Step 6: Simulate fault simulation

……

Step 10, digital signal simulation

After the ten EDA software simulations passed, the researchers in the chip laboratory did not cheer, but looked more solemn, because this was only a simulation of a single module, and the SOC system-level chip has multiple functional modules, and finally they have to be Simulate together

Only when everything passes and reaches the predetermined power consumption can it be considered completed. Otherwise, it can only be redesigned and optimized.

As for this SOC system-level chip, Gao Zhengqian also uses a 14-nanometer level design, and it also has a ten-core micro-architecture. The baseband part has been enhanced to an epic level because of Bai Yan’s optimization of the architecture.

If it can be done, network signal, call quality, and Internet speed will be significantly improved.

……

While the chip team was working day and night, forgetting sleep and eating, Chen Xing also brought the future 5G communications team to the office of the person in charge of SEG Technology Park.

“Long time no see, Mr. Chen”

The person in charge of SEG Technology Park, Jia Wenchuan, quickly stepped forward to greet

Jia Wenchuan is a thin, middle-aged man with a height of 1.8 meters. His cheeks are sunken and fleshless, and he looks a bit scary.

Chen Xing smiled faintly, shook hands with him and said,”Long time no see, Mr. Jia Yuan. How is the leasing business in the park recently?””

“Thanks to you, it’s hot!”

Jia Wenchuan praised him and said something meaningful, while Chen Xing was very confused and asked:”How do you say this?”

“Aren’t Mr. Qu, Mr. Wang and Mr. Wang all in your experimental building? My SEG Technology Park has become popular in the circle because of this. Now all the experimental buildings in the park have been rented out.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked at the crowd at the door and said in confusion:”Mr. Chen, are you coming here today?”……”

He only spoke half of his words, and trailed off with a confused tone, while Chen Xing nodded and said:”I want to rent another experimental building with you, but there is no room available now?”

“this……”

Jia Wenchuan was stunned for a moment and sighed:”I rented out the last building yesterday. There is indeed no laboratory building in the park.”

“But don’t worry”

“Let me ask”

Jia Wenchuan quickly took out his mobile phone. He didn’t want to lose Chen Xing, his main customer.

If Chen Xing had not brought a team of academicians, his SEG Science and Technology Park would not be full. He must try his best to appease

But more than ten minutes have passed, and I still haven’t found out about the free experimental building.

no way

Chen Xing can only merge the laboratories

The experimental team with a small number of people will first share the laboratory with other experimental teams with the same small number of people, such as the speaker, Bluetooth, and operating system teams.

After working hard for a while, I finally freed up a few laboratories for the communications technology team.

“These are your laboratories. You can make a list of what equipment is needed to develop 5G and send it to my email.”

Chen Xing looked at Qian Yu and Wang Yan and said

“Okay, President, after we finish sorting it out, we will send you the list of required equipment.”

Wang Yan quickly replied

If you want to self-research on information and communication technology, you will need to invest heavily in equipment in the early stage. Let’s not talk about computers. This is a necessary equipment for scientific research.

In addition to computers, they also need to purchase network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, antenna and radio frequency test equipment, protocol analyzers, EMC electromagnetic compatibility test equipment, etc. There will be more specific equipment, not less.!

Chen Xing is still willing to spend money on scientific research funding and to lay out the 5G network in advance, because he knows that technology companies are based on technology. If they are not willing to spend money on scientific research funding, how can we expect scientific researchers to be good at developing 5G networks?

Rubbing it with your hands, that’s impossible!

Although Longxing Technology does not have much capital on its books, it can also obtain R&D funds through bank loans, risk financing, etc.

Spend money on research and development of technology, make money from technology profit, and then invest in technology after making money. This is the normal behavior of technology companies.

Chen Xing would not understand the underlying operating logic of this company. Now it depends on how much information and communication R&D equipment is needed. If it is not enough, even if he goes to the bank to borrow money, he cannot make the scientific researchers miserable.

(End of this chapter)