Chapter 104 SOC System-Level Chip Simulation, 5G Laboratory Established!

The next day, the cold wind blew.

The weather in eastern Guangdong changed at any time. Chen Xing put on his down jacket, washed and had a simple meal, then returned 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 one 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 real provider of core light source technology is actually the United States.

If the United States withdraws, there will be no EUV lithography machine in the world. Instead, the technology provided by other countries will be "replaced."

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 needed to think about it for a moment to know who was 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 in charge, and they belonged to the semiconductor iron triangle.

"I didn't expect that as soon as I got to work, 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 Mi Xixi's urine nature, they will not allow Longguo's enterprises to develop so smoothly. 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 a target unless they directly target Longxing Technology Company.

But is it possible?

Even if it is possible, it doesn't matter.

If Loongson International is not sanctioned, the chip will still not be broken.

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

[Li Zhenzhen]: "Pressure has begun over there. 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 he was thinking a lot, 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 the same as before!"

The four words "business as usual" indicate that they have been prepared.

For the semiconductor industry, photoresist and wafers are basic materials. Longguo companies have been walking on thin ice, fearing that they will be 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 one by himself.

…

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 group of applicants today. I will send the list and let them come up if their names are correct."

"Okay CEO."

It didn't take long to hang 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, organizing documents and forms..."

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

【Name】: Xia Wei

[Type]: Secretary-type talents

[Qualification]: Purple

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

[Main direction of attack]: Secretarial

[Loyalty]: 90

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

[Special entry]: 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 is a good entry. He is a good candidate to be a secretary."

Chen Xing commented in his mind.

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."

"Okay CEO."

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 10:40 approached, 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

[Character]: Honest (can handle scientific research problems step by step, with extremely solid basic skills)

[Main direction of attack]: Information and communication technology

[Loyalty]: 90

[Monthly salary]: 70,000 (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 entries. Yes, he is a good candidate for scientific research."

After Chen Xing checked Qian Yu's panel, he then looked at Wang Yan's panel. It was the same panel and also focused on information and communication technology.

After confirming that everyone was present, 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.

Gao Zhengqian, a slovenly man with a slovenly beard, was concentrating on conducting an 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.

Maybe two days, maybe three days, or maybe longer.

Such high-intensity work frequently overwhelms their bodies, but thinking that the SOC system-level chip is about to be completed, they feel that they can 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 other processor chips of their own.

You only want the baseband part?

Sorry, I have to buy other parts too!

Even if Gaotong's other parts, such as GPU, VPU, and I/O controller, are not good enough, even if you don't want it, even if there are chip design companies outside that do better than Gaotong, you will still have to suffer this dumb loss. Because you need the baseband chip part of them.

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 a SOC system-on-chip.

In order to achieve this goal, the chip team basically did not take much rest for three months, and has been jumping repeatedly in design and optimization. The design of SOC system-level chips is too difficult.

Bai Yan put even more pressure on it. The GPU graphics processor also adopts 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 murmured 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 were academicians, so 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 launch 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 is 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 is performance simulation.

The fifth step is power consumption simulation.

The sixth step is to simulate fault simulation.

…

The tenth step is 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 is due to Bai Yan's optimization of the architecture, and its performance has been enhanced to an epic level.

If it can be done, the 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 him.

Jia Wenchuan is a thin, middle-aged man who is 1.8 meters tall. 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 so hot!"

Jia Wenchuan praised him, and there was something meaningful in his words. Chen Xing was very puzzled 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, you are not coming here today..."

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

"this……"

Jia Wenchuan was stunned for a moment, then sighed and said, "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 hadn't brought a team of academicians, his SEG Science and Technology Park would not have been full, and he had to try his best to appease them.

But more than ten minutes have passed, and there is still no free laboratory 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 a 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 replied quickly.

If you want to self-research on information and communication technology, you will need to invest a lot in equipment in the early stage. Let’s not talk about computers, which are 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 and other methods.

Spending money on research and development of technology, making money from technology profits, and then investing in technology after making money is the norm for 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.