Rebirth 08: Rise from copycat phones

Chapter 226 Number One in the World
The 4G strategy is an important strategy that Zhiyun Technology has started to prepare two years ago. It has prepared patents for two 4G communication basebands in advance and continued to develop 4G communication basebands.

Last year, we started large-scale testing using the 4G communication baseband. After confirming that the 4G communication baseband was available, we began to promote the research and development of 4G mobile phones.

This is the full series of Zhiyun mobile phones that will be launched this year, including the S series, A series and C series, as well as the 4G version of the tablet computer.

Zhiyun Technology is preparing to set off a 4G wave around the world this year!

At the same time, mobile phone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung have also chosen to join the 4G camp this year. So starting this year, or to be more precise, after the second half of this year, major mobile phone markets around the world will fully enter the 4G era.

Operators around the world have long been gearing up to make a fortune when the 4G era arrives. To this end, operators around the world have contacted major mobile phone manufacturers early on to order various contract phones.

As a leading manufacturer in the field of smartphones, Zhiyun Technology has naturally become the preferred partner for operators around the world as they enter the 4G era.

A large number of foreign operators are looking for Zhiyun Technology to order a large number of contract phones.

In China, Zhiyun Technology officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China Mobile in January. China Mobile will purchase a large number of Zhiyun's 4G mobile phones, ranging from the S series to the A series and the C series, and the purchase volume is extremely large.

The first batch of orders alone reached a huge amount of 8 million units, half of which were for the S series.

China Mobile will use these contract phones to launch a massive contract phone subsidy plan to quickly promote their 4G strategy.

Among the three major domestic operators, China Mobile is the most enthusiastic about 4G. They have been troubled by the previous 3G era, and even various support subsidies are still unable to reverse the embarrassing situation of the unsatisfactory number of 3G users.

This is also the reason why they gave up the 3G network early and prepared to invest heavily in the 4G track and cooperate with Zhiyun to jointly develop TD-LTE technology.

The other two domestic operators spent huge amounts of money to build 3G networks in the 3G era because they had the advantage of a more mature and available network standard. It has only been a few years and the costs have not yet been recovered, so they are naturally unwilling to turn around and develop 3G networks so soon.

Even if they want to do it, they would prefer to use FDD-LTE network with certain technical extensions!

However, no matter what the domestic operators do, it cannot affect Zhiyun Technology's 4G strategy... In the global revenue of Zhiyun mobile phones, the proportion of the domestic market has been getting lower and lower in the past two years. Although Zhiyun Technology increased its investment in the domestic market last year, sales also continued to rise.

The sales volume of Zhiyun mobile phones in China still only accounts for 39% of the global sales volume of Zhiyun mobile phones, less than 40%, which is very embarrassing!

But you can’t blame the domestic market for being too small. In fact, the domestic market is quite large, otherwise it would not be able to support Zhiyun Mobile’s 39% revenue.

This is purely because Zhiyun’s current scale is too large. The domestic mid-to-high-end mobile phone market, and even the ultra-thin notebook and tablet terminal market, simply cannot consume Zhiyun Technology’s huge production capacity.

Zhiyun Technology's revenue is extremely huge. Its smart terminal revenue (excluding Internet software, semiconductor components and other businesses) can reach hundreds of billions of US dollars each year, which is very exaggerated.

Such huge revenue requires support from the global market.

For the sake of the global market, Zhiyun Technology must also launch a 4G strategy, because many countries and regions around the world have already built 4G networks of a certain scale. If Zhiyun does not occupy them now, its competitors, Fruit and Sixing, will.

Therefore, this year's 4G strategy is imperative!

Of course, the domestic 4G market is also very important, thanks to the rapid development of the overall mobile Internet. At the same time, the smartphone industry chain is also developing extremely rapidly. More importantly, Zhiyun Technology, a leading company, has already mastered all the technical aspects of 4G mobile phones.

It is fully capable of supplying two types of 4G communication basebands for the domestic market!

Under such circumstances, TD-LTE's 4G test network is also being rapidly developed. Well, in fact, at this time China Mobile still does not have a formal 4G license, and is building it under the name of various experimental networks.

Similarly, China Unicom and China Telecom are also using experimental networks to develop TD-LTE and FDD-LTE hybrid networks.

And the speed at which these experimental networks are developing is astonishing.

In this case, if 4G mobile phones are launched in China, 4G networks can actually be used to a certain extent in some major consumer areas, that is, major cities, but they are not popular.

Various external environments have shown that the 4G era has arrived, and in this era, Zhiyun Technology will naturally not lag behind.

With the joint efforts of operators and mobile phone manufacturers from all over the country, this year will definitely become the first year of 4G network!

----

Since February, Zhiyun Technology has begun to cooperate with operators around the world to promote 4G and build momentum in advance.

It is also planned to be used in the first mobile smart terminal device equipped with 4G communication network, which is not a mobile phone, but the 3G version of YunPad4.

Zhiyun's tablet computers are similar to those of other manufacturers. There are pure WIFI versions, 3G versions with communication basebands, and now 4G versions.

This kind of tablet computer with a communication baseband can be regarded as a large-sized mobile phone to some extent, and can also use 4G network.

As operators and major mobile phone manufacturers warm up to 4G, consumers around the world have begun to frequently hear news about 4G in various media and learn about the relevant situation of G.

Then naturally, I began to look forward to the more convenient life brought by 4G.

After all, in the operators' publicity, the 4G network is very exaggerated... the speed of downloading movies is super fast, there is almost no delay in watching videos, etc.

In short, it's good in every way.

In this case, people also have certain expectations for the upcoming 4G mobile phones.

When the 4G trend began to sweep the outside world, Xu Shenxue appeared very low-key in Tongcheng: the headquarters of Zhiyun Microelectronics.

Here is the largest chip production base in China, with two 12-inch wafer fabs and two 8-inch wafer fabs.

All of them belong to Zhiyun Microelectronics!
At the same time, there is also the most advanced chip technology in China today: the 32-nanometer process technology that is about to be fully commercialized!
And the reason why Xu Shenxue appeared here today was for this 32-nanometer technology!
When Ding Chengjun received Xu Shenxue, he praised Liang Song's technical ability: "You are indeed a top chip expert. After Professor Liang brought his team here, it took only two months to develop the basic technical framework of the 32-nanometer process. In the meantime, they also solved some of the yield problems of the 45-nanometer process, further improving the yield of the 45-nanometer process!"

"After a long period of repeated experiments and tests, we initially solved the commercialization problem of the 32-nanometer process in December. In the following two months, we made many improvements and finally raised the yield rate of the 32-nanometer process to a level that is not inferior to that of several other chip foundries!"

"Professor Liang and his technical team played a crucial role in this process. It can even be said that without him, our 32-nanometer process would not have achieved such a breakthrough so quickly."

Liang Song, who was listening at the side, waved his hands repeatedly: "The credit is not all mine, but also goes to our entire technical team. Over the past six months, everyone has worked together and worked overtime every day to catch up with the progress. And maybe because the working atmosphere is more harmonious, everyone is more motivated to work, and the work efficiency is also very high!"

"To be honest, even I feel more comfortable working than before, and it is easier to lead the team to solve some technical problems!"

“It even gave me the feeling of a second spring in my career!”

Liang Song's words also aroused the agreement of Professor Wu Deyi who was standing beside him: "I also deeply feel what Professor Liang said. When I worked at STMicroelectronics before, and even in TSMC in my early years, I felt that the work was stressful and lacked an internal driving force, so the achievements were limited!" "But after coming to Zhiyun Microelectronics, the relaxed environment in all aspects and the friendly working atmosphere have made everything go smoothly at work."

“This environment affects people!”

Xu Shenxue said: "The insights of the two professors are also what we pursue at Zhiyun. Providing the best working environment and the best salary packages to technical R&D personnel has been the basic concept of Zhiyun since its establishment. After all, we are a high-tech company driven by technology. Technology is the core competitiveness of our company, and treating technical talents well is also the basic business philosophy of our company!"

“I am very happy that the two professors and other R&D talents can find their own happiness and reach higher peaks in their careers in our Zhiyun family!”

That being said, Xu Shenxue knows that treatment and atmosphere and environment do have a certain impact, but this influence is actually not that large.

The real key factor is the scientific research system!
The two top experts in the field of chip manufacturing in front of them have both held A-level scientific research quotas for a long time... They are already top talents, and with the addition of A-level scientific research quotas, they are instantly promoted to a higher level.

If we look at the current scientific research strength ranking, even among a group of experts in the global chip manufacturing field, Wu Deyi would probably be ranked in the top ten.

As for Liang Song, I'm afraid he will have to sit firmly on the throne of number one in the world.

He is already among the top three in the world, and it is hard to say his exact ranking, but now, Liang Song can definitely boast: In the field of chip manufacturing, I am the best in the world!

In less than half a year, he led Zhiyun Semiconductor to improve the chip manufacturing process technology level from 45 nanometers to 32 nanometers, and achieved a mature commercial yield standard.

Just ask, who else in this world can do this?
There won't be a second one.

After using it for several years, Xu Shenxue has basically figured out some basic rules of the scientific research system.

This scientific research system is quite mysterious... It basically enhances the user's brain in all aspects, not just learning ability, but also logical thinking, understanding and even some more mysterious things like inspiration.

And it is not just limited to the fields of science and engineering, but also applicable to the liberal arts. Xu Shenxue has always given himself a B-level scientific research quota, which makes him feel that his brain is more flexible, his thinking is clearer, and he learns very quickly when learning something, including some new things in the liberal arts.

Xu Shenxue suspected that this thing actually had nothing to do with scientific research. It was purely a biological enhancement of the user's brain, just like using system achievement points to improve one's physical fitness.

But he couldn't tell for sure.

After all, the system is too metaphysical and he cannot explain it with any existing technical theory.

All Xu Shenxue can understand now is how to use it. According to his experience, the stronger the talent's foundation, the greater the role he can play after using the high-level scientific research system.

Regardless of arts or science!
Therefore, in the past year, Xu Shenxue has gradually provided a low-level system quota for senior managers in some key positions. Ji Chenghe, Gu Zhiming and other senior company officials basically have a D-level scientific research quota.

With the assistance of the system's scientific research quotas, especially as Xu Shenxue's business performance will grow, the achievement points given every month will also increase, allowing Xu Shenxue to exchange for more high-level quotas.

As a result, the research and development speed of various types of holding companies under Xu Shenxue is getting faster and faster.

A few years ago when there were few scientific research quotas, there was also huge capital investment and a lot of R&D talent, but the 65-nanometer process was very troublesome to implement.

Later, the 45-nanometer process was developed naturally.

Now with the joining of top expert Liang Song, there are several A-level scientific research places, a large number of B-level scientific research places, and hundreds or thousands of C-level scientific research places.

Zhiyun Microelectronics mastered the 32-nanometer process in just less than a year!
"Now our 32-nanometer process technology is mature and available. Once we are ready for mass production, we can accept orders for chips made with the 32-nanometer process from the group!"

"Currently, only the two 300-inch wafer fabs in Tongcheng have completed this preparation work. The initial monthly production capacity can reach pieces, which is enough to undertake the S series orders and AI chip orders within the group!"

"In two months, our company's 12-inch wafer fab in Shenzhen will also be put into production, and in half a year, the 12-inch wafer fab in Shanghai will also be put into production. The monthly production capacity of these two wafer fabs is expected to be 60,000 pieces combined."

"Within half a year, our Zhiyun Microelectronics will have four wafer fabs with a total production capacity of 130,000 12-inch wafers. All of this production capacity can be used to undertake orders for various logic chips using the 32-nanometer process. While fully meeting our group's existing 32-nanometer process chip orders, we can also take on some external orders!"

At this time, Ding Chengjun suddenly took a deep breath: "This means that our group can completely get rid of the history of seeking external chip foundry!"

Xu Shenxue nodded slightly at this time: "It's not easy. It took many years to get it done. Everyone has worked hard. In addition, the project bonuses will be distributed one after another!

"I hope everyone will not be too arrogant or impatient, and overcome the technical difficulties of more advanced processes as soon as possible... TSMC's 28-nanometer process is already mature and available, and our competitor Qualcomm's new mobile phone SOC chip is expected to use this process!"

"Their 28-nanometer process is relatively better than our 32-nanometer process, which naturally gives them some performance advantages in chips. This still puts us under considerable pressure!"

“As for the next generation of process technology, we still need to keep moving forward at a high pace. We cannot simply chase after our competitors, we have to catch up with them or even surpass them!”

"The 32 nanometer industry is still usable now, but what about next year? I'm afraid our competitors will have to use d
At this time, Professor Liang Song said, "Mr. Xu, we have achieved a breakthrough in our 32-nanometer process technology. I will arrange a project team to further improve the technology. We should be able to improve the 32-nanometer process to 28-nanometer process, and bring lower power consumption and more transistors."

"But when it comes to 28 nanometers, our lithography machines have actually reached their theoretical limit, and the gate length can no longer be effectively shortened. This means that it is difficult to further reduce the process through traditional planar MOSFET technology, thereby improving chip performance."

"So we need a breakthrough process to further advance chip technology. When the planar MOS process reaches its limit, my idea is to use the FinFET process to transform the chip from a plane to a three-dimensional one, thereby achieving a continuous and substantial improvement in performance!"

"Currently, many manufacturers are using this technology and are beginning to explore 22nm or 20nm processes!"

"But I think we can completely skip the 22/20 nanometer process node. In the case of FinFTE process, this process node and the equivalent nanometer process node below it are actually of similar technical difficulty. There is no essential difference. Instead of first using the nanometer process and then transitioning to the nanometer process, it is better to go straight to the equivalent nanometer process in one step."

"The equipment and process flow of the two are mostly common, the cost can be controlled, and the chips produced have higher performance and lower power consumption."

"So, I want to lead the team to concentrate on this process. As for the advancement of the 28-nanometer process, this is no longer a big problem. The team led by Professor Wu can completely handle the subsequent advancement, and it won't take too long. It is estimated that the 28-nanometer process will be completed this fall and meet the group's production needs for a series of new chips next year!"

"I am leading my team to make every effort to tackle the FinFET process, and strive to develop this FinFET process by the year after next, to achieve an equivalent 14-nanometer process, and to catch up with other chip manufacturers!"

After listening to this, Xu Shenxue thought for a while, then looked at a technical introduction document handed over by Liang Song and said, "Since your R&D team has already divided the work and set the goal, then just go for it!"

"I don't understand technical matters, but whether you want money or people, just ask. I have plenty of money, and I will try my best to recruit talents for you!"

"I expect that by the year after next, we will surpass our competitors in the field of chip manufacturing and make our series of chips have performance that exceeds that of competing products!"

It’s the beginning of the month, and you can vote with your guaranteed monthly tickets.

Last month, my monthly votes were ranked over 300. I will see if I can get into the top 300 this month…

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(End of this chapter)