Global monopoly of technology

"When will mass production be possible?"

Yang Hongyi is more concerned about this issue. Generally speaking, the military has handed over the drone swarm combat military research project to Luo Sheng, and the progress is very satisfactory.

Luo Sheng thought for a moment and replied: “As far as the drone itself is concerned, mass production is not a big problem. The domestic related manufacturing facilities are very complete. The key is the three nodes of combat system platform, artificial intelligence and chips. Around the end of next year, the military can come over and place purchase orders."

Yang Hongyi said in surprise: "Really so fast? Will it be possible to supply the military in 2016?"

Luo Sheng smiled and nodded: "The chip is still a bit slow. I am waiting for the most advanced Zixing lithography machine. I want to operate the most advanced 9-nanometer AI chip of the Blue Coast on the drone. If you want to provide me with OEM, you can also get the product supply, but it is very difficult. The high-end chip still depends on the localization. The layout of the domestic semiconductor industry chain is also getting better."

Yang Hongyi: "That's great, the situation is very good."

It is worth mentioning that the ability of the Côte d'Azur to deliver drones to the military does not mean that combat effectiveness will be quickly formed next year. If you want to truly form combat effectiveness, at least 2018 or even 2019 will go.

The first one is internal adjustment. After all, this is a brand new air combat mode. Secondly, drones need to be equipped with platforms to exert their combat effectiveness. Whether it is using transport aircraft airborne platforms, rockets, missiles and other platforms, relevant military industry companies are required to do so. Its research and development support.

It also takes time to make magical changes based on the existing technology.

After getting this done, large-scale equipment applications will take time, and the next major problem is repeated testing. The purpose of testing is to obtain the best data for optimization, and finally large-scale installation to form combat effectiveness.

The best test method is of course actual combat, there is no doubt about it.

In this regard, there is also a good way.

That's the way of exporting foreign trade. The Middle East world is fighting all day long. The big dog owners will definitely like this kind of gameplay that can be done without going to the battlefield, just like playing games at home. It is definitely for the big dog owners who are afraid of death and fighting. It is the rhythm of buying explosions.

Help test new equipment and make money easily. Why not have the best of both worlds?

...

Not long after Luo Sheng left the Blue Coast Lab and arrived at the CEO's office in the Galaxy City headquarters, Yao Jianhong came.

"General Manager Luo, ASML, a supplier of lithography systems, recently announced that Lithium Semiconductor has ordered two mass-production NXEs: 3350B-EUV extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, which will be delivered by the end of the year."

Upon hearing this, Luo Sheng asked: "What's the quotation?"

Yao Jianhong: "The specific quotation has not been announced, but it is said that it should be close to the US$100 million level. It is understood that the EUV extreme ultraviolet lithography machine purchased by Li Semiconductor will initially be used for 300mm wafers and 10nm processes, and will be considered in the future. On 450mm wafers, in the third quarter of this year, the wafer exposure speed of EPIC's EUV technology has reached 600 pieces per day. If it goes well, it can reach 1,500 pieces per day next year."

Luo Sheng lowered his head to ponder for a moment, and muttered to himself: "Although the 10-nanometer process of ICPC is still in the theoretical research stage, more than a dozen customers have already carried out product designs based on it, involving mobile phone basebands, GPUs, and server chips. , Game console processors, FPGAs, etc."

Yao Jianhong nodded and said: "Yes, it is expected that their customers will complete tapeout and trial production at the end of this year, and mass production will be possible next year or the next year. The 10nm FinFET process will bring 25% performance improvement over the 16nm FinFET process. % Reduction in power consumption and 120% increase in gate density."

Of course, Luo Sheng can hear the implication of this. It means that Lens Semiconductor’s FinFET process is not leading, and the breakthrough in extreme ultraviolet lithography technology further continues Moore’s Law, and also means that the most advanced commercial chip supply is possible at any time. It may be cut off by European and American semiconductor manufacturers.

Huaguo Semiconductor’s overseas mergers and acquisitions have been vetoed time and time again, and core chips have been banned from China’s purchases. Chinese people have gradually understood that Western countries strongly protect and restrict the universalization of core cutting-edge technologies. Technology export restrictions have long existed in the collective agreements of major Western countries. The cutting-edge technology is tight-lipped and single-line system.

Yao Jianhong looked at Luo Sheng and worried: "Azure-5's processor technology is 10 nanometers, and once the bargaining power of the Blue Coast loses its bargaining power, the other party will not be as easy to talk as before. Our business progress may usher in uncertainty. Variables."

Luo Sheng said: "No, we use the 9-nanometer process of the purple star lithography machine, and the'Blue Core 8'processor is put on hold, skipping this generation of integrated AI chips into the'Blue Core 9'processor. In terms of production capacity, Xiongxin Electronics We definitely can’t keep up, it’s okay. Let’s light up the sword first and let our opponents see clearly the “spare tire” plan that we have prepared for nearly 10 years. Once again, we have the right to negotiate. The opponent will come over for cooperation, and the production capacity will naturally follow. Then, let's rely on Xiongxin Electronics to slowly increase production capacity. The company has high profits to maintain, and it will not die for a while."

Seeing Luo Sheng so confident, Yao Jianhong had no doubts.

Luo Sheng asked: "By the way, how about the preparation and research of graphene flexible screens? For the Azure-5 flagship machine, do not launch the front camera without hiding it under the screen. This flagship device must achieve 100% true meaning. On the full screen."

Yao Jianhong: "The research and development of the graphene screen material, after Professor Liu's team joined, has made significant progress years ago. The screen will not affect the release of Azure-5, and we are still looking for ways to reduce costs. It’s just that no matter how much the cost is compressed in the short term, it may be difficult to come down."

Luo Sheng didn't take it seriously: "It is not the key that the cost cannot be suppressed. We can achieve mass production. We can sell it more expensive."

Yao Jianhong: "Mr. Luo, should we talk about the foundry issue of 10nm process chips? Ask them to place an order to test the Western response. If the company is blocked by the North American Semiconductor Industry Association, it means we may If you can't get the order, the other party will turn their faces."

Luo Sheng smiled indifferently, and said with certainty: "Of course I want to go, and I want to go as soon as possible. I bet that the spare tire plan will not be unveiled, and this friendship boat is overturned. But we must talk about it. We hope this is a false alarm. We also hope to continue cooperating with CMC and other overseas supply chain partners, but this does not prevent us from warning and creating opportunities. Therefore, you place an order with CMC in the name of the board of directors of the Blue Coast."

After a pause for a moment, Luo Sheng added: “At the same time, we publicly release news to the media. Ordering is the need for warning and creating opportunities, and it is also a prerequisite for throwing the pot to the other party. Let’s say hello and be a gesture of courtesy. In the first place, so that we won’t be irrational in the future. At the same time, this action must be fast. We must react to the North American side and decide to restrict us to talk, otherwise it will depreciate. After the talk, the other party will regret it again. The pot is the old beauty. If we carry it back, we have earned full fame and popularity, and we won't lose money in this business."

Listening to Luo Sheng’s arrangement, Yao Jianhong couldn’t help but nodded again and again, and smiled: “It’s indeed a stable business. I’ll fly to the other side tomorrow and talk about it in person with Kaiji.”

With hole cards in hand, just don't panic.

...