Set sail1992

Chapter 975 How Awesome Lianxiang Was
Without any experience in developing communication products, Zhang Qihang felt that Mr. Ni's strides were a bit too big for thinking about developing radio frequency chips for mobile phones.

But facing Zhang Qihang's question, Mr. Ni smiled: "We have."

Zhang Qihang was stunned for a moment: "We have?"

"Yes, we really have it," Ni Lao nodded and said, "Lenovo Computer started to develop a program-controlled switch as early as 1992, and on New Year's Day in 94, our LEX5000 program-controlled switch for offices was successfully launched in the Langfang Post Office. At that time, a vice president of the Government Affairs Council personally inspected our switch at the Langfang Post and Telecommunications Office, and gave a high evaluation of our switch.”

Lianxiang Computer's office switch has been put into use as early as the beginning of 1994?
Zhang Qihang was really shocked, he said in surprise: "The Huawei switch at that time..."

"Our switch was put into use a few months earlier than Huawei's switch," Ni Lao nodded with a smile, his face full of pride: "Lianxiang's office program-controlled switch was put into use on New Year's Day in 94, and The switchboards used by Huawei offices have just started, and the two obtained the network access permits from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in 1994...Mr. Zhang, you may not know that even Haizili uses our Lianxiang program-controlled switches."

Even Haizili purchased Lianxiang's program-controlled switches?
Does Lianxiang Computer still have such deep knowledge in the field of program-controlled switches?
Zhang Qihang was so shocked that he didn't know what to say. He couldn't help but think that if Lianxiang Computer didn't die and continued to cultivate in the field of program-controlled switches, Huawei might not have the glory in the future.

Licking his lips, Zhang Qihang couldn't hold back his curiosity, so he asked Mr. Ni, "How did Lianxiang Computer's level in the field of program-controlled switches compare with Huawei?"

"At that time, there were more than 80 people in Lianxiang's program-controlled switch business department. Within Lianxiang Computer, it was the second largest department after the microcomputer department led by Yang Yuanqing." Ni Lao said with a bit of pride in his eyes: "At that time, The general manager of the program-controlled switch business department is my student Luo Zheng. This kid has a very good talent in the program-controlled switch field. I am not at all humbled to say that Warwick at that time was a product made by a grassroots team, and the strength of Lianxiang's program-controlled switch business department completely surpassed Warwick at that time.

Of course, after seven or eight years of development, Huawei's technical level in the field of program-controlled switches is now much stronger than before. The level has always been far ahead of Warwick. "

Is that so?
Zhang Qihang found it a bit unbelievable, but felt that with Ni's identity and character, he couldn't talk nonsense about this kind of thing, so the situation back then should be true—here, Zhang Qihang also felt that Ni The old man felt a deep resentment against the surname Liu.

However, if there is a basis for developing program-controlled switches in the early stage, Ni Lao’s idea of ​​developing mobile phone radio frequency chips cannot be said to be a whim. The person in charge of the R&D of radio frequency chips? If this is the case, then it is not impossible to consider mobile phone radio frequency chips, but I don’t remember that among the engineers and technicians from Lianxiang Computer, there is a comrade named Luo Zheng.”

As soon as Luo Zheng was mentioned, Elder Ni couldn't help but sighed, and said with regret on his face: "Speaking of which, Luo Zheng is still affected by me."

"what?"

Zhang Qihang was a little puzzled when he heard this.

"Isn't Luo Zheng my student?" Mr. Ni explained to Zhang Qihang: "The surname Liu insisted on abolishing the program-controlled switch business department, but Xiao Luo was my student, and he was a thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh of the surname Liu. After abolishing the program-controlled switch business unit, he went to a foreign company called 'Trident Multimedia Technology Company' in Shanghai to engage in the development of digital image processing chips."

"So that's what happened..."

Only then did Zhang Qihang suddenly realize that a buddy who had previously worked in program-controlled switches went to a foreign company to engage in the development of digital image processing chips after leaving Lianxiang Computer. This buddy is indeed awesome—at the same time, Zhang Qihang vaguely felt that this company called Trident Multimedia Technology Company seemed familiar.

"Well," Mr. Ni nodded, and continued: "Xiao Luo is not only very talented in program-controlled switches and chips, but also very good in software. In 93, in 1993, Lianxiang Computer organized a software center, a small The three departments of the Ministry of Machinery and the Integrated Circuit Design and R&D Center jointly developed the LXBS financial platform software. The market response of this financial software is very good, and many orders have been won. During the development of this financial platform software, Ronaldinho is Deputy Chief Engineer.

A few days ago, when Ronaldinho learned that I had come to our Huateng Industrial Group, he specially called me and asked about my work and life here. When he learned that I was doing well here, he said Ask me if our group has the idea of ​​developing radio frequency chips for mobile phones. I came to discuss this matter with you, and I was actually inspired by Ronaldinho. "

Zhang Qihang thought for a while and said, "You mean, if we decide to develop radio frequency chips for mobile phones or even baseband chips in the future, Mr. Luo Zheng will come over?"

"That's right," Mr. Ni nodded, and added: "Except for Xiao Luo, many of the comrades who came from Lianxiang Computer this time were also engaged in the development of program-controlled switches. It was diverted to other departments, but I believe their foundation is still there. I analyzed it carefully and thought that we have initially possessed the technical conditions for developing mobile phone RF chips—of course, if we really want to launch this project, it must be necessary. We will recruit more manpower and increase equipment, but we already have the most core leaders.”

This "core leader" is undoubtedly this Luo Jun.

In other words, this mobile phone radio frequency chip project belongs to the kind that can be obtained on tiptoes?Zhang Qihang pondered for a while, and asked Elder Ni again: "Old Ni, how long do you think it will take for the results to come out? How much money will it take?"

Mr. Ni obviously thought about this question seriously. Hearing this, he seriously replied: "I have a general understanding of the situation of some international radio frequency chips and baseband chips. Many patents are sold to the outside world. If we buy these patents, we can To greatly shorten the R&D cycle, about one year is enough. If the baseband chip is also considered in the early stage of development, it will take about two years including the baseband chip.

It’s just that the amount of funds required in this way is relatively large. If the cost of purchasing patents is included, I think it may cost 1.5 million yuan to win the radio frequency chip, or even 2 million yuan. If the baseband chip is included, it will cost about 3.5 million yuan. to 4 million. "

After finishing speaking, afraid that Zhang Qihang would be intimidated by the amount of research and development funds, Mr. Ni quickly explained: "The amount of funds needed is indeed relatively large, but we will try to save some. The most important thing is my understanding of our country's mobile communication market. We are very confident in the future. If we can successfully develop mobile phone radio frequency chips and baseband chips, we will be able to break the monopoly of foreign manufacturers on the domestic market. At that time, we will not need to produce mobile phones, but only rely on selling radio frequency to major mobile phone manufacturers. Chips and baseband chips are enough for us to make a lot of money."

For Mr. Ni's words, Zhang Qihang has no doubts at all. He knows how big the domestic mobile phone market will be in a few years. The beginning of the 21st century is an era of mobile phone explosion. , the price of mobile phones quickly dropped from a few thousand or even [-] to [-] to [-] or [-] yuan for an entry-level model.

An entry-level mobile phone only costs seven or eight hundred yuan. It can be said that since 2002, China has officially entered the era of universal mobile phone use. It is the truth.

Zhang Qihang is not familiar with the field of mobile phone chips, but if it really only costs three to five billion yuan to break the monopoly of foreign giants on radio frequency chips and baseband chips in China, Huateng Industrial Group will earn more than ten and eight dollars a year. A total of "[-] million", at that time, I can use the money from selling mobile phone RF chips and baseband chips to support the chip research and development department.

So at this moment, seeing Mr. Ni's cautious appearance, afraid that he would refuse, Zhang Qihang smiled: "You needn't say it, Mr. Ni. If you save three to five billion yuan, you can break the competition between Europe, the United States and Japan in the field of mobile phone RF chips and baseband chips." Our technology is blocked, so this project is no problem, I will definitely approve it!"

Hearing this, Elder Ni breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on his face: "I'll call Xiao Luo right away."

"Don't worry," Zhang Qihang hurriedly stopped Mr. Ni, and said with a smile, "I have no problem here, but for such a big matter, we have to convince other comrades together that the process that should be followed must be gone, so Project Feasibility Reports These..."

After working for a lifetime, Mr. Ni certainly understands the importance of the work process. For a project with such a large investment, from the initial project analysis to the feasibility report to the formal project approval, every step of the process is very rigorous. This project is vigorously promoted, but it must not go beyond the process that should be followed, otherwise it will be irresponsible for the entire project.Hearing what Zhang Qihang said now, Mr. Ni naturally wouldn't resist, and immediately nodded with a smile: "Sure, I'll write the report when I get back."

..............................

Mr. Ni went back, but Zhang Qihang felt that he should talk to Secretary Feng about such a major event related to the strategic development direction of Huateng Group.

Just like Zhang Qihang's worries, after listening to Zhang Qihang's introduction, Secretary Feng asked worriedly: "It would be great if we could break the monopoly of Western companies in the field of mobile communications, but Academician Ni Does their team have the strength to develop radio frequency chips?"

Zhang Qihang said: "Academician Ni, a student named Luo Zheng, was previously the general manager of the program-controlled switchboard division of Lianxiang Computer..."

After listening to Zhang Qihang's introduction and learning about Luo Zheng's situation and the development of Lianxiang's computer program-controlled switches, Feng Guoqing was also a little excited: "So that's what happened... If Mr. Luo Zheng really knows the communication industry so well If so, that is to say, is it really possible for them to develop the first radio frequency chip for our Chinese mobile phone? If so, what else is there to say, of course we have to do it!"

Feng Guoqing, who has already tasted the benefits of "breaking the monopoly of foreign giants" in the car, is now full of interest in anything that has the opportunity to break the monopoly of foreign companies.

Seeing that Feng Guoqing did not object, Zhang Qihang nodded with a smile: "Mr. Ni is preparing to write a feasibility report for this project. I will show it to you when the report is finished."

Feng Guoqing also nodded with a smile: "Okay."

At this time, Liu Jianfeng hurried to find him, and after greeting Feng Guoqing, Liu Jianfeng said: "Mr. Zhang, a company called Spreadtrum Technology sent us a fax, asking if we are interested in doing business with them. invest."

After a pause, Liu Jianfeng added: "The fax said that their company seems to be in the business of mobile phone baseband chips, and that they have now completed the design of 2.5G mobile phone baseband chips and are currently verifying the chip design."

WTF? !
Hearing Liu Jianfeng's words, Zhang Qihang and Feng Guoqing were stunned: We were just preparing to develop mobile phone radio frequency chips, but a company that developed mobile phone baseband chips came to our door and said that they had completed the design of the chip and now entered the verification stage up?
And the other party is still engaged in 2.5G baseband chips?

What is 2.5G?

This is actually a technology that has just emerged in recent years, that is, GPRS technology developed based on GSM technology. Compared with traditional 2G, GPRS has a higher speed data transmission capability, so it is commonly known as 2.5G, and Before the popularization of 3G technology, there was another EDGE technology called 2.75G, but whether it is 2.5G or 2.75G, it is actually the development and extension of 2G technology in essence.

But at this moment, Zhang Qihang and Feng Guoqing don't care what 2G or 2.5G he is, both of them were shocked by the news sent by Liu Jianfeng, and they couldn't help but look at each other: Is it true or not?It can't be such a coincidence, can it?
"It can't be such a coincidence?" After looking at each other for a while, Feng Guoqing scratched his head and said first: "We were just discussing whether to start the radio frequency chip project for mobile phones, and a company that develops baseband chips came to visit immediately. Come to seek financing? This is not a liar, is it?"

In Zhang Qihang's heart, he was actually a little muttering, but the muttering belonged to the muttering. After thinking about it carefully, he felt that it was unlikely, so he shook his head and said to Feng Guoqing: "It should not be possible, if it takes a long time, that's fine, but After Mr. Ni told me about this matter, I came to your office, and there was only half an hour between this, how could it be such a coincidence?"

Feng Guoqing thought for a while, then nodded: "I heard you say so, it is true, so it is really a coincidence?"

"It's a coincidence that you can see the other party's fax." Zhang Qihang said, stretching out his hand to Liu Jianfeng: "Xiao Liu, show me the document."

"Ok."

Liu Jianfeng hurriedly passed the fax to Zhang Qihang.

Feng Guoqing was really curious, so he didn't wait any longer, and leaned over to watch with Zhang Qihang. It didn't matter if he didn't watch it, but Zhang Qihang and Mr. Feng Guoqing were both stunned...

The company that came to seek investment is called Spreadtrum Technology. The two co-founders of Spreadtrum Technology are Mr. Chen Datong and Mr. Wu Ping.
Mr. Chen Datong received undergraduate, master, and doctoral degrees from Huaqing University. He graduated from Tsinghua University with a major in semiconductor devices and physics. Postdoctoral research, in 95, Mr. Chen Datong founded Omnivision (Howe Technology) in the United States, and developed the world's first color CMOS image sensor chip;
Mr. Wu Ping is also a mess of Niu X. Speaking of which, he and Mr. Chen Datong are still college alumni. They graduated from Huaqing University in 84, and then obtained a master's degree and a doctorate degree from the Academy of Aeronautical Sciences of the Ministry of Aerospace Industry in 87 and 90 respectively. He has an IC design patent in the United States. He has successively worked in the design and management of communication semiconductor technology in companies and institutions such as Mobilelink, Trident, and Biels in Switzerland. He is a true international expert in communication semiconductor technology.

As for why Mr. Chen Datong and Mr. Wu Ping established Spreadtrum, it is because last year, that is, in 2000, the Ministry of Information Industry issued the "No. 18 Document", which explicitly encouraged the development of the software and integrated circuit industries for the first time.

Encouraged by this document, dozens of overseas students who went abroad in those years were ready to return to China to start businesses, and Mr. Chen Datong also returned to China during this period.

After several months of preparatory work, Spreadtrum, composed of a team of more than 30 returnees, was formally established in April this year. The company's product goal is also directed at "independent research and development of mobile phone baseband chips with independent intellectual property rights", because the entire team is Experts in the semiconductor and communication industries, so the work is progressing smoothly. It took 4 months. Last month, Spreadtrum completed the design of the 6G mobile phone baseband chip. Now, in order to raise the funds required for testing, Spreadtrum was preparing for the second round of financing and asked Huateng Industrial Group if it was interested.

If Huateng Group is interested, they will be very happy to invite senior executives of Huateng Industrial Group or the person in charge of the investment department to visit Spreadtrum. If Huateng Industrial Group has no time, they can also send someone to Huateng Industrial Group. The group makes a project introduction...

After reading the introduction of Spreadtrum's creative team and founders and the progress of the project in this fax, Feng Guoqing hesitated and said, "Looking at it now, this seems to be true?"

Zhang Qihang took out the phone and said, "Is it true? Just make a phone call and ask and you'll find out?"

(End of this chapter)