Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, leading the technology war

Chapter 111 Tape-out Success, Yield % to %
Park Zhenghao still didn't take it seriously: "The offer is high? Not at all! Can they find another semiconductor company that can help them with wafer production?"

"This... is unlikely."

"So, what other choice do they have? They have to spend all the money, otherwise what's the point of them designing the chip? It's a waste of time!"

That being said, Zhou Zhenzhen always felt something was wrong.

This was not the first time Zhou Zhenzhen had dealt with Huayao, and she was very familiar with their behavior patterns.

If there was no backup plan, Huayao’s people would not have this attitude.

But Zhou Zhenzhen really didn't believe that they could find other companies that could do 7-nanometer wafer production.

At the same time, Zhao Jianwei was pulling Jiang Nan aside and asking him questions.

"Brother Nan, what's going on? What did the leader say just now?"

"...Leader? The leader said let's not talk about it for now."

"Why don't we talk about it anymore?"

"The price is too high. Why else could it be?"

Zhao Jianwei raised his eyebrows and didn't believe it at all.

Although 50 million US dollars is indeed a sky-high price, the leaders will not drive away Sansang’s people simply because of this.

"Brother Nan, what's going on? Tell me."

Jiang Nan chuckled: "I really can't tell you about this, just understand one thing."

"What's going on?"

"If everything goes well, our improved version of Kirin 990 should be able to go into mass production normally."

"……ah!?"

After hearing this, Zhao Jianwei was stunned.

The news was so shocking that it was hard to believe.

The improved version of Kirin 990 has made significant improvements, and it is a chip that exceeds seven nanometers.

Even without improvements in process design, mass production is difficult now.

"Who is the OEM for us? Brother Nan, can you tell us a little bit?"

Jiang Nan waved his hand: "I don't know about this either. Just keep it in your heart and don't tell anyone else. Keep it strictly confidential. Do you hear me?"

"I heard it, I heard it. Don't worry, I'll keep it to myself. Even if I drink too much, I can't vomit it out!"

"That's good. Let's go. We won't be working overtime tonight. Let's go out for a bite to eat and relax."

"Okay, okay, that's great! Now I can finally rest assured."

At the same time, Hong Kong Island, General Island.

In the semiconductor production line control center, Hu Jiangshan was carefully observing a wafer at the table.

This is a twelve-inch wafer.

On the surface, it looks like everything is densely packed with small squares.

On top of the squares, there are also densely packed black dots, which are extremely small transistors.

Just by observing with the naked eye, one can intuitively feel that the wafer is of extraordinary precision.

Hu Jiangshan picked up the special ultra-high magnification magnifying tube again and looked at the arrangement of transistors and the gaps in several small squares one by one.

Finally, Hu Jiangshan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Not bad, the yield is better than expected."

Zhang Rui next to him said quickly: "Boss, we have calculated the yield rate, it should be stable at 70% to 80%."

Hu Jiangshan nodded.

It's a pity that the yield rate did not reach 80%.

But it doesn't matter, it's not a big deal. I can check the production data again and adjust some unstable values. It will not be difficult to achieve an 80% yield rate.

This is exactly the wafer that was taped out for the improved version of Kirin 990.

Not surprisingly, the tape-out was successful.

Although the process was more difficult than expected, it was completed successfully, which is a good thing.

Hu Jiangshan asked: "Have you measured the number of transistors?"

Zhang Rui nodded: "I've measured it, and it's about 118 billion."

Hu Jiangshan was a little surprised. Normally, the number of transistors in the Kirin 990 is about 105 billion, which is at the seven-nanometer level.

The improved version of Kirin 990 now has 118 billion transistors on a chip, which is a significant improvement and has reached the 6-nanometer level.

Very impressive! Apart from Apple's A series chips, this should be the most advanced chip currently.

Hu Jiangshan said: "Prepare the samples, pack them, and send them to Huayao headquarters."

Zhang Rui responded and went to get busy.

Hu Jiangshan has been very busy these past two days, keeping an eye on General Island.

After all, the tape-out of the improved version of Kirin 990 is very important and there can be no mistakes.

Hu Jiangshan just checked the production data and confirmed that this chip can be mass-produced.

In fact, if the chip production yield can reach more than 70%, it can be put into commercial mass production, but the cost is indeed a bit higher.

Hu Jiangshan can fully afford it. Water, electricity and even quartz sand are all free, and the profit margin is quite high.

Hu Jiangshan walked out of the cave factory. The sun outside was still very strong.

At this time, the road leading to the factory building has been paved with mortar.

This mortar is specially formulated with a lot of quartz sand added, which can effectively prevent erosion by sea breeze and sea water.

By the way, this quartz sand is produced from the island’s refining facilities, which is free and convenient.

The next step is to lay asphalt on top and the work is done.

After walking for a while, I saw Liu Abao and others.

The workers are working enthusiastically and their work attitude alone is satisfying.

Hu Jiangshan did not disturb them, but boarded the Seahorse and returned to Hong Kong Island.

Hu Jiangshan plans to take a good rest for two days to relax his body and mind.

In the evening, COA Bar.

This bar is not only famous in Hong Kong Island, but also known by many people abroad. It has even won the title of Asia's Best Bar for several consecutive years.

COA Bar is very popular, with long queues every night just to come in for a few drinks and chat with others.

So it’s not easy to get the admission ticket to COA Bar.

But this is nothing for the rich kids.

For example, Shen Lan had already entered through a special channel.

Shen Lan sat in her usual booth, sipping a cocktail.

This cocktail is called Red Comet. It contains tequila, but only a little bit. It is not very strong, but if you drink too much, the aftereffects are quite strong.

Shen Lan made an appointment with Feng Qiuyi, and Feng Qiuyi will come later.

A moment later, Feng Qiuyi came, followed by several people, one of whom was Li Changxi.

Shen Lan frowned. Why did Li Changxi come here?

When Feng Qiuyi sat down next to him, Shen Lan asked in a low voice: "What's going on? Why is he here?"

Feng Qiuyi sighed: "Maybe my brother told him that I would come here, and if I came here, you might come too, so he blocked me."

"Huh? Targeting me?"

"Nonsense, if it's not directed at you, how could it be directed at me?"

"It could be coming for you."

"Okay, stop making trouble. Now that he's here, think about how to deal with him."

At this time, Li Changxi said something to the others, and they went away to play. Li Changxi himself sat opposite Shen Lan and Feng Qiuyi.

"There are a lot of people here now, do you mind sharing a table?"

Shen Lan said, "It's okay, you guys take a seat, we'll give this place to you."

Having said that, Shen Lan pulled Feng Qiuyi and was about to leave.

Li Changxi said calmly: "By the way, have you heard of a super incident?"

"what's up?"

"Hu Jiangshan, that guy seems to have bought an island."

(End of this chapter)