Rebirth 2004: I can make money by writing.

In 2010, the world's mainstream chip manufacturing process was approximately between 32nm and 45nm, and many high-end processors and graphics chips used processes in this range.

The most advanced commercial chip process has reached 32nm.

For example, Intel launched the Westmere architecture processor with 32nm process in early 2010.

The alliance of IBM, GlobalFoundries and Four Star also began mass production of 32nm chips in 2010.

It’s worth mentioning that the manufacturing process of mobile device chips usually lags behind high-performance processors.

In 2010, many mobile chips were still using 45nm or larger processes.

of course,

32nm is currently the most advanced mass production process, but more advanced processes are already under development. For example, the 22nm process is being actively developed and is expected to be put into production within the next 1-2 years.

16/14nm is also under research, but it will take several years before it can be commercialized.

Chips are developing very rapidly.

By 2020, the mainstream chip manufacturing process will be between 7nm and 14nm.

Many high-end processors, mobile chips, and graphics processors use processes in this range.

The most advanced commercial chip process has reached 5nm.

JSMC began mass production of 5nm chips in 2020, and the Apple A14 Bionic processor was one of the first products to use this process.

QuadStar also began mass production of 5nm chips at the end of 2020.

At this time, the very powerful Eagle Technology Co., Ltd. mainly focuses on 14nm and 10nm processes, but lags behind its competitors in advanced processes.

Of course, the main processes circulating on the market are still 14nm and 28nm.

If cars want to achieve intelligent driving level 2 in the future, they may need to use 22nm process technology to produce car chips.

now,

Hao Qiang has mastered the EBL lithography machine manufacturing process, which, with current technology, can already achieve a 14nm process with the lowest cost.

Of course, shrinking the process to more advanced 3nm and 2nm processes is not a problem.

However, the production cost is much higher.

usually,

The 14nm process usually requires 9N (99.9999999%) or higher purity single-crystal silicon.

The 3nm process may require 11N (99.999999999%) or higher purity single crystal silicon.

The 2nm process may require 11N+ (above 99.999999999%) ultra-high purity single crystal silicon.

The EBL lithography machine does have the potential to manufacture more advanced chips, including 1.4nm and 1nm processes.

As long as supporting technologies such as 3D packaging technology and chip stacking can keep up, the realization of these smaller processes will be just around the corner.

It can be said that the EBL lithography machine and related chip manufacturing process chosen by Hao Qiang are expected to maintain the world's number one position in the next few decades.

According to the current R&D progress, it is estimated that it will take at least two years for Future Technology Group to achieve mass production of 14nm process chips.

By 2012, mainstream chips on the market may have reached 28nm process, and top products may reach 22nm or even 14nm process.

In this case, Hao Qiang can consider starting with the 14nm process.

The debut is the peak!

Applying this technology to automotive chips will bring their level to the same level as the top automotive chips in 2023.

Of course, he also wants to directly mass-produce 7nm and sell it at a low price, directly killing his international counterparts.

But things are not that simple.

In addition to dumping, foreigners can also restrict imports or use other means to encircle Future Technology Group.

It is better to be conservative and steady, and you must consider your own safety.

If foreigners are pushed into a corner, they will do anything.

So, let’s leave some hope for our competitors.

Not only do we not have any trump cards, but we can’t even kill the enemy. This is a huge hidden danger.

After all, chips are too important to a country. Unlike other industries, some countries do not want to see China lead them too far in this field.

At the same time, a high starting point also means greater R&D difficulty and a longer development cycle.

The entry level is too high and there is no R&D experience, which is not a good thing.

In addition, he was afraid that he would not be able to catch up in time. If he was restricted in the next two or three years, it might affect the survival of the automobile factory and thus affect the overall strategic layout.

Therefore, a more pragmatic solution is to first develop an independent chip that can meet the current challenges.

This will not only solve the current difficulties, but also accumulate valuable practical experience and lay the foundation for the research and development of more advanced chips in the future.

This incremental development strategy not only ensures the realization of short-term goals, but also leaves ample room for long-term technological leadership.

"Well, it's decided. Let's start with the 14nm process!"

"Solve the problem of car computer chips first!"

After Hao Qiang figured out these three technologies, he decided to make his choice.

However, he cannot yet fuse technology.

The technology of the Level 7 Technology Shop still lacks the EDA software to be developed.

According to the rules of the writing system, new technologies can only be integrated after the previous level of technology has been developed.

“The EDA software project isn’t finished yet, but it’s almost there!”

"In the next period of time, I will focus on this project."

Hao Qiang thought to himself that now that he had new technology, he was even more excited about the future.

Yingwei Da, Yingtel, Sixing, Pingguo, IBM, Gaotong, you just wait!

Especially Gaotong Company, their company purchases automotive chips from this company.

It is very expensive. A complete set (including autonomous driving chip, in-vehicle infotainment system chip, in-vehicle network and communication chip, power system control chip, etc.) costs about US$4000.

There is no bargaining, it’s up to you whether you want it or not.

Moreover, seeing that cars will sell well in the future, the prices will be raised.

Hao Qiang felt very unhappy because he was being manipulated.

However, Future Technology Group had no choice but to accept it.

At the beginning, he didn't care about the high price. What he hated was that when he saw that the car sold well in the future, the price would increase.

It’s just like renting a shop to do business. When business is good, the landlord takes the opportunity to raise the rent.

The next day,

Hao Qiang formally formed an automotive chip project team.

Designing a cutting-edge automotive chip is a complex project that requires a lot of human resources.

1. Core chip design team (including architects, digital design engineers, analog design engineers, etc.): 50-100 people

2. Verification and testing team: 30-60 people

3. Software development team (development of drivers, middleware, application programming interfaces, etc.): 50-100 people

4. System integration team (responsible for the integration of chips with other vehicle systems): 20-40 people

5. Security and encryption experts: 10-20 people

6. Artificial intelligence and machine learning experts: 20-40 people

In addition, there are hardware engineers responsible for the physical design and manufacturing process of the chip, thermal management and power consumption optimization experts, etc.

The total number of people required is at least 200.

This estimate is for a large, comprehensive automotive chip project.

Certain chips focused on specific functions may require fewer people.

Of course, the actual number of people may fluctuate as the project progresses, and more people may be needed at certain stages.

In addition, the development of artificial intelligence and automation tools may affect the number and structure of personnel required in the future.

When setting up the EDA software project, Hao Qiang asked the Human Resources Department to recruit some relevant talents, about thirty or forty people.

In addition to this project, there are about 500 chip manufacturing and process talents and about 100 chip auxiliary equipment R&D talents.

Now that the chip project has officially started, it is time to recruit talents from all over the country.

As long as they are talented, Hao Qiang is willing to spend money to speed up the progress.

This large-scale recruitment is mainly entrusted to various headhunting companies.

In the next few days, the headhunting company that had cooperated with Future Technology Group received new commissions.

"A chip expert's annual salary starts at a million? Damn, your company is really rich! We have to poach people from the research institute. We'll do it ourselves."

"An analog design engineer with five years of experience earns over 360,000 yuan a year?"

"I see. Anyone with work experience will take an on-site written test."

After receiving the commission information, the headhunting companies were shocked by the salary offer of Future Technology Group.

As long as we can recruit people, especially top talents, you set the price.

We are not afraid that Future Technology Group cannot afford the price, but we are afraid that you dare not bid.

For headhunting companies, as long as they complete a deal, they can get a reward of more than 15% of the candidate's annual salary.

The higher the annual salary, the lower the agency remuneration ratio.

Of course, it is not so easy to complete. Future Technology Group requires written tests and interviews.

If most of the candidates provided do not meet the requirements, the cooperation will be cancelled directly.