The Light of Domestic Products: The whole world begs me to sell

Chapter 176 Exchange 14nm Chip Design Framework

Hu Lai's face was not very good-looking.

After the IPS screen and ESP module were cut off, he was faintly worried about the chip problem.

I have already told Director Zhang to try his best to stock up more chips, but I don't know how the progress is.

He looked at Director Zhang: "Old Zhang, how much do we have in stock for Snapdragon 8155 chips?"

Since Hu Lai made a special order, during this period of time, Director Zhang has been trying his best to buy the Snapdragon 8155 chip, but the Snapdragon 8155 chip itself is the best SOC smart cockpit chip in the current market, and it is very sought-after.

Director Zhang said:
"Boss, although we have made preparations in advance, the Snapdragon 8155 is too tight. Many models of Xiaopeng, Ideal, Great Wall, Geely, Lynk & Co, and Rice are using 8155 chips."

"The current inventory is only more than 5 chips. According to 'Qingluan', each car has three chips, which is only enough for more than 1 cars."

More than 1 vehicles.

According to the current sales volume of Phoenix "Qingluan", it can support the production capacity of more than one month at most.

Hu Lai frowned, and just wanted to ask Director Zhang if he could find a company that could replace the Snapdragon 8155 chip like the previous IPS screen, but he swallowed it before the words reached his lips.

When the supply of IPS screens was cut off, he had already arranged for someone to have a detailed look at the situation of the various suppliers of "Qingluan".

Other parts of "Qingluan" can barely find alternative manufacturers, but only the on-board chip, there is really no way to solve it in a short time.

Before the popularization of new energy vehicles, the chips needed by traditional fuel vehicles are generally MCU function chips and sensors.

These chips control various data on the dashboard, such as fuel consumption, cruising range, lighting, ABS anti-lock braking and other functions.

However, with the start of intelligentization of new energy vehicles, autopilot chips, SOC smart cockpit chips, and IGBT power semiconductor chips have been added to automotive chips.

It can be said that these three chips appeared entirely because of new energy vehicles.

AI self-driving chips are used for self-driving.

The SOC smart cockpit is used for the calculation and processing of massive data such as vehicle systems, screen displays, AI artificial intelligence, and in-vehicle equipment control.

The IGBT is to control the discharge power of the motor and the vehicle.

At the beginning, in order to run the Phoenix L3 level unmanned automatic driving technology on the Phoenix shared car "Mayfly" and "Dragonfly", it was equipped with Nvidia's self-driving chip.

but.

Later, when designing "Qingluan", Du Xinxin discovered that Phoenix's L3 unmanned autopilot technology not only has the learning ability of artificial intelligence, but also does not need to be equipped with a separate autopilot chip, and the computing power of the Snapdragon 8155 is enough to run perfectly!

So after some consideration, "Qingluan" is no longer equipped with a special self-driving chip, but directly uses three Snapdragon 8155 to provide computing power to run.

But, I didn't expect...

Zhang Feiyang saw that Hu Lai hesitated to speak, and explained:

"Boss, I asked Du Xinxin just now, if the self-driving chip is used instead of the SOC smart cockpit chip, it will be because of the different functions of the chip. Except for the self-driving technology, other things such as artificial intelligence robots and vehicle systems are almost useless."

"Also, even the self-driving chips are monopolized by new foreign studios, and I guess they won't sell them to us."

Zhang Feiyang paused, his tone a little frustrated:

"Now on the market, the SOC smart cockpit chip is Qualcomm's chip with the best performance and the largest production capacity."

"Their chips not only have good performance, but also outshine others. The same type of chips from other manufacturers are almost a generation or half a generation behind!"

"For example, Nvidia's SOC smart cockpit chip, but its performance is also worse than that of the Snapdragon 8155, and it is hard to say whether it will be sold to us."

Hu Lai also knew this situation in his heart.

It is no exaggeration to say that Qualcomm is the undisputed leader in the field of SOC smart cockpit chips, and there is no chip that can compete with 8155.

Speaking of this, Zhang Feiyang showed worry:

"Boss, once the stock of Snapdragon 8155 chips is used up and no replacement chips can be found, the subsequent production of 'Qingluan' will have to abandon artificial intelligence technology and autonomous driving technology."

Hu Lai was a little irritable.

The main reason why "Qingluan" can exceed the price of model 3 and has won the approval of many customers is the absolute leadership of Phoenix in artificial intelligence and unmanned automatic driving technology.

Without the support of these two technologies, "Qingluan" had to cut the price, and lost its absolute lead over model 3 in terms of technology.

In this way, it will not only affect "Qingluan", but also have a great impact on Phoenix Motors' overall intelligence, technology, and luxury brand positioning!

Unless it is absolutely necessary, it is impossible to abandon these high-end technologies!
But……!
Hu Lai did not speak, and the atmosphere in the office became dignified again.

After a long silence, Director Zhang couldn't help comforting him:

"Boss, I have contacted Nvidia and Intel before, maybe they are willing to supply, even if it is a little worse than Snapdragon 8155, but..."

Hu Lai had no hope at all in his heart. Zesla even bought Qualcomm, so how could Intel and Nvidia mess up the situation.

Besides, these two companies themselves are American companies, how could they offend the entire American high-tech companies for Phoenix Motors?

but.

Director Zhang obviously had a little fantasy. Before he could finish speaking, his cell phone rang suddenly.

Factory Manager Zhang took out his mobile phone to check the caller number, and his breathing slowed down.

"Hello Hello……"

After two sentences, Director Zhang's expression obviously exaggerated, and when he hung up the phone, Director Zhang said angrily:
"Sure enough! Nvidia and Intel refused directly, there is no reason!"

Hu Lai himself didn't hold out hope. Seeing Director Zhang's anxious look, he asked:

"Old Zhang, foreign manufacturers must be out of business. What is the situation in China?"

"Are there chips with a generation behind technology?"

Without waiting for Director Zhang to answer, Zhang Feiyang snatched the words:

"Yes, there is! But..."

Zhang Feiyang sorted out his language and said:
"In the domestic smart cockpit chips, Huawei Kirin 990A and Xinchi Technology's X9U chips are mature."

"Huawei Kirin 990A is developed based on the mobile phone processor Kirin 990. It uses an 8-core CPU, a 14nm process, and has a computing power of 3.5TOPS. Compared with the Snapdragon with a computing power of 8TOPS, it is barely a generation behind."

"The X9U chip of Xinchi Technology uses a 6-core CPU, a 16-nanometer process, and a computing power of only 1.2TOPS. This chip is obviously a bit too far from our requirements."

Huawei Group?

Hu Lai nodded, waiting for Zhang Feiyang to continue.

"Although Huawei is limited to high-end 7-nanometer and 5-nanometer chips, chips with a 14-nanometer process technology can still be produced by 'SMIC'."

"Huawei Kirin 990A is currently used in BAIC New Energy Alpha. If we use the Kirin 990A chip, let alone whether it can run our various smart technologies, but in terms of quantity, the 'Qingluan' may need to be equipped with more than 8 chips. "

He looked at Hu Lai and said:
"and……"

"Even if we can combine several Kirin 990A chips together, we have to consider whether Huawei dares to sell it."

Hu Lai fell into deep thought, Zhang Feiyang's words were indeed true.

Now he has seen very clearly that this is Zesla's cut-off of chip supply to Phoenix Auto by a series of chip companies such as Qualcomm.

Any lack of production capacity is a fucking excuse.

It is clear that the production capacity of "Qingluan" is to be blocked by the chip, and the neck of Phoenix Automobile is stuck!

Now, Zesla is only targeting Phoenix Motors, which is still a commercial activity, but once Huawei Group supplies chips to Phoenix Motors, then...

It is no exaggeration to say that Huawei will immediately become the target of attacks by American chip companies, and the capital led by Zesla will definitely fight back against Huawei.

You must know that the ban on Huawei Group in the Americas has not been lifted yet, Huawei Group itself has blocked 5nm and 7nm high-end chips. It is really shameless to add a 14nm limit on the original basis. It may not be impossible !

At that time, Phoenix Motors will not be affected much, but Huawei Group will suffer from unwarranted disasters.

Hu Lai was a little embarrassed, he didn't want to involve Huawei.

I have a headache!
Hu Lai put the Huawei Kirin 990A chip aside, and discussed with the two for a while.

After a while, Hu Lai received a phone call from Gaoling Capital Feng Rong and Sequoia Capital.

Feng Rong's voice on the other end of the phone was quite heavy, obviously he was also aware of the seriousness of the problem.

However, several capital parties are also very good, and they all kindly mentioned the Huawei Kirin 990A chip. Feng Rong even proposed to arrange a meeting with Huawei Group executives.

but.

Hu Lai rejected everyone's kindness.

"Our Phoenix Group is already thinking of a way, and Qualcomm's chip supply cutoff has little impact on us."

Several capitals also felt a little more relaxed when they heard Hu Lai's relaxed tone, but everyone was too familiar with the domestic chip market, so they didn't think Phoenix could really solve the problem.

But it is not convenient to talk more on the phone. After several capitals hung up the phone, they hurriedly reported to the headquarters, and rushed to the Phoenix headquarters in the mountain city the next day...

Hu Lai asked Director Zhang and Zhang Feiyang to work first, and Hu Lai was the only one left in the entire office.

He looked at the computer screen in front of him, and carefully sorted out the problems before and after in his mind.

The problem of "Qingluan" is no longer a problem of Phoenix Motors, but a problem of the future development of the entire Phoenix Group.

Since these days, the entire Phoenix Group has invested too much money and energy in Phoenix Motors. It can be said that the finances are completely tilted towards Phoenix Motors, and it is impossible to give up.

If the profit of Phoenix Motors falls or is put on hold, then the entire Phoenix Group cannot support the current Phoenix Group solely on the profits of electric motorcycles.

For the Phoenix Group, it was definitely a huge blow!
and so.

"Qingluan" will definitely continue to be produced and sold, and artificial intelligence technology and unmanned automatic driving are the main selling points, which are absolutely indispensable!
As for the production capacity and neck being stuck by the chip...

There must be a solution!
Hu Lai's thoughts became clear. To solve the chip problem, relying on the Huawei Kirin 990A was only a last resort.

Regardless of whether Huawei is willing to sell it or not, and regardless of whether the performance of the Kirin 990A is worse than that of the Snapdragon 8155, it would be a pity if Huawei was also blocked at 14nm because it provided chips for Phoenix Motors.

Now it seems that the best choice is to use Phoenix Semiconductor to design and produce a chip belonging to Phoenix Automobile.

Generally speaking, there are three steps to produce a chip.

At the beginning, the chip design was carried out, and the circuit and transistor of the chip were designed through EDA software.

After the design plan is determined, chip production begins. Chips will be manufactured piece by piece on high-purity 200mm and 300mm single-crystal silicon, and single-crystal silicon is what is usually called a fab.

Then these chips produced by the lithography machine will undergo the final packaging test.

Now in the field of chip design in China, Huawei HiSilicon can even design 5-nanometer chips.

When entering the second step, in terms of manufacturing, domestic lithography machines can produce chips with a 28-nanometer process technology, and SMIC can use ASML lithography machines to produce chips with a 14-nanometer process technology.

That is to say, if there is no blockade by the American countries, the domestic (mainland) of Yan country can produce 14 nanometer chips.

However, there is still some distance from the world's top 5nm.

but……

If Phoenix can independently design a chip with a 14-nanometer process technology and find SMIC to manufacture it as an OEM, it will be barely enough.

Although it is not as good as the performance of the Snapdragon 8155's 7nm process technology, it should have no problem reaching the performance of the Huawei Kirin 990A.

Thinking of this, Hu Lai has decided to see if he can find a chip design framework with a 14nm process technology in the system. As for the idea of ​​looking for a 7nm process chip, it flashed through his mind, and then gave up.

Not to mention whether it would be too shocking for Phoenix to suddenly appear a design drawing of a 7-nanometer chip, that is, the production and manufacturing of 7-nanometer chips, there are only a few factories in the world that can produce them.

For example, TSMC, their production capacity is already full half a year and a year in advance!
Phoenix doesn't make the cut at all.

After thinking about everything, Hu Lai quickly opened the system to check, the most urgent thing is to see if the system has a 14nm chip design framework!
"Ding... welcome to the Light of Domestic Products system."

Hu Lai hadn't entered the system for a long time, but when he entered the system this time, he immediately glanced at the points.

More than 150 million points.

Okay!

Hu Lai hadn't used his points since the last time he redeemed the L3 autopilot technology.

After such a long time, more than 1 units of "Qingluan" have been sold. With the super high points of "Qingluan", it is not bad.

Hu Lai opened the exchange list familiarly, and found the technology related to chip manufacturing in the list of several categories.

Hu Lai knew the biggest weakness of Yanguo's chip manufacturing. He first inquired about the manufacturing equipment EUV lithography machine, and found that...

What the hell!

The lithography machine capable of manufacturing 3nm chips has as many as [-] million points!
mess:"……"

It's so expensive!
Nima is outrageous!
Hu Lai didn't delay any longer, and quickly found the chip design drawings.

56 nm.

28 nm.

14 nm.

50 million points!
By the way, it's you!

The required points are a bit unexpected. I didn't expect that a 14nm chip design framework is not too expensive.

But thinking about it, the 14nm chip design framework is considered backward in the current world!
Hu Lai didn't buy it right away, but checked the 7nm chip design drawings, 7nm needs 100 million points!

really!

The more advanced the more expensive!
and many more……

Hu Lai suddenly felt something was wrong.

According to his understanding of the system, manufacturing technology will be very expensive.

For example, the production technology of "Super Blue Sky Motor" costs 100 million, while the electric control technology and motor technology are very cheap.

It stands to reason that a design framework like chip design framework and 14nm is not considered leading in the real world, so it should not be 50!
but.

He thought for a while, but still didn't find any clues, so he clicked to buy in desperation.

With the deduction of 50 points, a golden light flashed in Hu Lai's mind, and several new options popped up!

Huh?
Hu Lai was a little surprised, didn't buy it successfully?
What's happening here? !

(End of this chapter)