Tech Hammer

After listening to the content of the argument relayed by Liu Wei, Ning Wei roughly understood what the top management who can actually make decisions meant. He must still be leaning towards the second idea, to develop the instruction set by himself, otherwise there would be no need to ask for his thoughts on this matter. .

Ning Wei is a person who wants to save face. A complete set of new chip production processes and technologies have been summarized. How embarrassing would it be if you still have to buy other people's instruction sets when designing a CPU?

After all, Ning Wei is a man who has offended several big bosses of companies that can provide instruction sets. Rather than asking for his opinion, it is better to say that this is a euphemistic way for people to stop thinking about being the boss. When you do your best, you still have to do your best.

This is a high expectation placed on him. He probably still hopes to be able to produce a universal chip that is completely autonomous. If possible, it would be best to compete with companies like Intel and Qualcomm. Speaking of which, neither Intel's Core series nor Qualcomm's Snapdragon series CPUs are cheap to use.

Price is not the most important thing. The key is that China does not yet have the ability to produce general-purpose chips on its own, or even the right to counterattack. In extreme cases, if a chip company no longer supplies a certain Chinese company, the consequences will be serious.

Of course, the possibility of this situation has become much smaller after the release of three-dimensional silicon silicon tube technology. After all, Intel and others are now considering accepting this three-dimensional chip technology as one of the development directions for the continuation of Moore's Law in the future, but it is not yet complete. Just a good deal. Of course, it may be that Intel is still seeking to replace the three-dimensional silicon silicon tube technology with other technical methods, but it is not known whether it can succeed.

But one thing is certain, if China can really use three-dimensional silicon silicon tube technology to develop and produce competing CPUs, it will probably really start to seriously consider whether to compromise in the future.

To put it bluntly, Intel still has time. This time is the time when CPUs are made using three-dimensional silicon silicon tube technology, or the time when the performance of CPUs using three-dimensional silicon silicon tube technology can catch up with Intel's products.

In addition, Ning Wei can actually understand the troubles Intel is facing now. Think about it from another perspective. For a giant company like Intel, which technology route to choose can have a huge impact on the whole body.

Countless patents in the field of silicon-based chips are the result of the efforts of several generations. From X86 to Pentium to Core, from 370 pins to 1366 pins, these once represented the most advanced productivity in the world. Suddenly, several generations of our own products were abandoned. It is not an easy decision to make use of other people’s technology based on people’s accumulation.

Even if it succeeds, it may become a sinner in Intel's history. If it fails, it may be worse than death when it comes to stepping down.

In addition to its own accumulation, the stable supply chain that once spanned the world will also be affected.

You must know that Intel is one of the few established semiconductor companies in the world that integrates design and production. Unlike Qualcomm, Intel has its own wafer factory. It can produce its own designed chips without the need for other OEMs.

It is difficult for such a large enterprise to turn around. Factories are heavy assets. Converting from silicon-based to silicon-based tubes means building a new production line, purchasing new equipment, re-establishing a raw material supply chain, and having to keep up with the past. Once the supply chain is cut, there is no turning back.

Even low or high scores will not work.

If 2D silicon-based chips are only made into low-end products in the future, it means that there will be a price distinction with 3D silicon silicon tube technology products. If the 3D silicon silicon tube technology is only in their own hands, it will be okay. As long as the price differentiation is made, At least the profits of the Core and Xeon series can be guaranteed.

But three-dimensional silicon silicon tube is China's technology. In other words, if Intel accepts three-dimensional silicon silicon tube technology, it means that they do not have absolute market pricing power, which would be very embarrassing. Think about it, even if the CPU performance of future three-dimensional silicon silicon tube technology is only the same as that of current two-dimensional silicon-based chip technology, the strong development prospects will put the current Core and Xeon series CPUs into an embarrassing pricing situation.

After all, the CPU manufacturing field is a high-end industrial field with extremely high R\u0026D costs. Only if the shipment volume is large enough can the high R\u0026D costs be covered by relatively low prices. If a piece of the market is divided, the profit margin will be linear unless the pricing is increased. fell. But raising prices when market competition becomes more intense is asking for death.

After all, China has never lost a price war in the international market. When it comes to doing business, many businessmen in China have a fearless temperament when they are angry and don't make money first, but I will kill you first.

Therefore, Intel's decision is very difficult. Even now, there are reports from Western media that Intel is negotiating with large companies such as AMD, IBM, and Google. The two parties will cooperate at the technical level and jointly discuss the future of chip technology.

Of course, these are all based on the premise that China still does not have the ability to use three-dimensional silicon silicon tube technology to design CPUs in the short term. Once it really enters this stage, Intel will most likely choose to significantly reduce the price of CPUs in China. This is a way to make R\u0026D companies feel unprofitable and reduce the confidence of investors...

From this perspective, it is actually beneficial to start CPU research and development early. However, if he chooses to design the instruction set himself, he will have to bear this burden again.

…

After thinking clearly, Ning Wei said: "Brother Liu, I originally wanted to study some new things in the laboratory this time. Doesn't this put me at odds with the CPU?"

"Professor Ning, actually you have always wanted to work in chips. Otherwise, why would you start developing an EDA software solution at Jiangsu University, and then start designing three-dimensional silicon through-tube technology after arriving at Yanbei University? You can do it now At this level, if we don’t move towards the field of general-purpose chips with independent property rights, too many people will not be able to swallow that sigh of relief. Hey... although money is hard to make, it can’t beat the taste of shit!” Liu Wei sighed, rather Said meaningfully.

This reason was invincible. Ning Wei felt that his defense was broken, and it also reminded him of the noble left foot that stepped into the office door first when Pat Gelsinger, the president of Intel, came to visit him that day.

"Then what else is there to say? If you ask my opinion, you must make your own instruction set. New chip manufacturing processes have been developed, so you must still make your own instruction set. And after all, three-dimensional architecture chips Unlike chips with a two-dimensional architecture, directly using other people's instruction sets will not be able to unleash the full capabilities of future three-dimensional CPUs. Instead of constantly tinkering with it in the future, it is better to get it right at once." Ning Wei shrugged.

"Okay, I will report your opinions later. At that time, I will also ask Professor Ning to give more ideas for the design of the instruction set. Now we are recruiting talents for structure research and development. After the instruction set is completed, we can officially Let’s start designing the CPU.” Liu Wei said excitedly.

"Okay, okay, when I get to the lab, I'll start learning about the design instruction set."

"study?"

"Otherwise? Although I knew a little bit about these things before, my current knowledge reserve is actually not enough to participate in the design of the instruction set of a large integrated chip like a CPU. Of course I have to learn it first."

"This should be considered... modesty, right? Professor Ning."

"Haha, Brother Liu, I just like your straight-faced character who can change your ways and praise others."

After a simple exchange of words, the heavy atmosphere disappeared and began to become lively.

This is probably human nature. Once you make up your mind to do something, everything becomes easier. At least for Ning Wei, it should be like this.

…

Soon, the car in front stopped at a checkpoint. After a brief negotiation, it continued forward and entered a place similar to a factory. Rows of neat two-story buildings spread throughout the area. About five minutes later, Liu Wei parked the car in front of the two-story building housing the Huaxia Chip Research Center. Chen Mingcai was already waiting at the door of the front hall of the building.

"Haha, Mr. Ning, ah no, I'm going to call you Professor Ning now. We meet again."

"Mr. Chen, hello!"

"Mr. Chen knew yesterday that Professor Ning planned to come to the laboratory today, and he came here from the future city of LP County yesterday." Liu Wei added next to him.

Ning Wei scratched his head in embarrassment and said, "That's really hard on you, Mr. Chen."

"Haha, why am I working so hard? I have to thank Mr. Ning for helping me introduce the business. Speaking of the future city construction project, it is the most profitable one in recent years, so it should be me who thanks you, Professor Ning."

Chen Mingcai's words were really not polite. The construction of the future city was really not short of money, especially the large amount of foreign exchange was received directly by Chen Mingcai. Of course, if you include the construction of laboratories, the situation may be different.

However, with the three-dimensional silicon silicon tube technology as the foundation, this laboratory construction will definitely not be a loss.

"Okay, let's not be polite, let's go to the laboratory first and have a look!"

"Haha, that's right. Let's visit the laboratory first. If there's anything we can talk about during lunch."

Entering the small building, Ning Wei found that it was different from before. The first floor was mostly offices and there were no experimental equipment at all. Chen Mingcai did not stop on the first floor and took Ning Wei directly to the elevator at the back of the small building.

"Even though this place is just a two-story building, there is actually something inside." Standing in front of the elevator, Chen Mingcai said with a smile.

"oh?"

"In the future, the above-ground part will mainly be a place where some scientific workers do some auxiliary work and administrative matters. The main part of the laboratory is placed in the underground part. The underground part opens up the entire area. Some instruments are not suitable underground. Yes, there are also parts on the ground, but you can rest assured that they are all based on the design drawings you provided. This time we have more time to prepare, and we have also optimized the robotic arm."

"That's it, that's good." Ning Wei nodded.

"Please come in..."

Walking into the elevator, Ning Wei glanced at it and saw from the elevator that there was a third negative floor downstairs.

"The laboratories are mainly concentrated on the first floor below. The lower two floors are mainly used for maintenance of various laboratory functions. There are also a few laboratories planned on the third floor below. For example, the acoustic laboratory on the list is on the negative floor. The third floor, but that is part of the third phase plan and has not been built yet.”

Ning Wei nodded a little embarrassedly. In fact, some of them were not laboratories in the core field. He had written them in the planning book and was ready to bargain with everyone. But since they are also included in the planning, it is actually quite good. Acoustic experiments The laboratory is not only used to study how to make good headphones and speakers, but also has extremely important significance in detection, detection, voice communication, etc.

For example, the well-known ultrasonic detection and sonar systems used to detect seabed topography can all be made using acoustic laboratories.

"This is the previous chip lab. All the instruments have been moved from the previous laboratory and have been tested. From this area is the low-dimensional nanostructure laboratory group, with a list of equipment and instruments in different laboratories It’s clearly marked on the sign at the door; and here…”

Chen Mingcai personally acted as a guide and took Ning Wei around the entrances of various laboratories that had been built. Ning Wei's gain was that he successfully wrote down the equipment and instruments that had been debugged in these laboratories, including various models.

Next, he needs to read the instructions and then re-debug the equipment. For example, the interface programs of many of the programs need to be rewritten to make it easier for March to read. This is a huge project, especially now when there is not much help. However, Ning Wei would not trust others to do such an extremely important thing that could be done in one go.

After walking around the laboratory completely, Chen Mingcai took Ning Wei to the office prepared for Ning Wei on the second floor. The office is very large, much larger than Ningwei's office at Yanbei Mathematics R\u0026D Center. It is also a suite, with a dedicated rest room and bathroom, and everything has been taken into consideration.

At least Ning Wei was very satisfied. After chatting for a while in the office, it was almost time to eat, and Chen Mingcai finally talked about the topic of the instruction set.

"Professor Ning, Liu Wei should have mentioned to you about creating an instruction set, right? How have you considered it?"

"I know. I told Brother Liu just now that I personally think we should make our own instruction set."

"Okay, I will report this opinion. By the way, why don't you be the leader of this project team? Tomorrow, I will invite experts from relevant companies here to meet and discuss it? "

"No! Mr. Chen, my current level is not good enough to discuss with the experts. Forget it, the team leader. So, give me two weeks first. After I have sorted out my thoughts, I will make an opinion and discuss it with the experts. Enough."

"this……"

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen, I will take this matter seriously."

"Okay, I'll wait for your good news." Chen Mingcai said cheerfully: "Hey, it's almost time to eat, let's go eat first! Let me tell you, although this base is far away from the city, but The food here is guaranteed to be no worse than at Yanbei University!"

"Okay, let's go!"

…

When Chen Mingcai took Ning Wei to eat, several cadres from Ning's class who had just finished eating at Yanbei University's military training base gathered together during the half-hour break after the meal.

If Ning Wei were here, he would have discovered that the class cadres currently selected by Ning's class are actually the children he invited to dinner that day. There were also some children he invited but could not come because they had gone home.

Monitor, deputy monitor, league secretary, discipline committee, study committee, sports committee, literature committee, and class representatives...

This meeting was obviously organized by class leader Chen Diancheng. Several people were sitting around Chen Class, and it looked like that.

"Today is not a class committee meeting. The main thing is that I have an idea and I hope to get everyone's support."

Probably because of limited time, as soon as everyone arrived, Chen Diancheng got straight to the point.

"Chen Ban, don't worry, we will definitely support you."

"That's right, just say it directly."

…

"Well! Then I'll just tell you!"

After several people expressed their opinions, Chen Diancheng nodded and said in a calm tone that did not suit his age: "I thought carefully about what Professor Ning said to us yesterday, and I think we should use practical actions to respond to Professor Ning's words to us. expectations. I believe you have all felt that Professor Ning really helped us get such generous treatment. We can understand that this is Professor Ning’s expectation for us, but I think we actually deserve these treatment."

"To be honest, I have always felt that learning is the simplest and most personal thing in the world. Everything we learn in Ningban will become our valuable private wealth. While earning benefits for ourselves, we also Being able to receive various material rewards that are far beyond what ordinary students can receive, can everyone really enjoy this kind of treatment with peace of mind?"

Everyone was lost in thought, and someone said: "Chen Ban, please just say it if you have any ideas."

Chen Diancheng held his head high and said: "That's what I think. As students of Professor Ning, we have to do something to be worthy of this title. So I suggest that we set up a club. I have also thought of a name, and it will be called Ning." Society! The highest purpose of the society is Professor Ning’s expectations for us, and we will strive for life to promote the progress of China’s science and technology.”

"Please note that Ningshe is different from Ningban. Although we established this club based on Ningban, I think the members of Ningshe should not be limited to Ningban, but should be expanded to include outstanding students from all natural disciplines. Come to our Ningshe. Of course, the outstanding ones here refer to the best ones whose ideals are consistent with our highest purpose."

"When we attract enough friends who are in the same direction and have sufficient abilities, a positive atmosphere of mutual help and mutual help will be formed among Ningshe members in the future, and we will truly use our hard work to learn in exchange for a future science China is a more technologically advanced country. What do you think?"

How should I put it, after several people exchanged glances, they immediately received unanimous approval.

For these adolescent boys, the longing for the future and the imagination of working together to achieve great things are enough to make their blood boil and even make them unable to control themselves.

"Chen Ban, you are right. I suggest Professor Ning to be the spiritual leader of our Ning Club in the future!"

"I agree. In addition, if a club is established, I suggest you register a club now at school. It is best to have a fixed classroom in the school for daily communication!"

"I'm going to participate anyway. It's so exciting. I need to tell you if there's anything you need to say!"

"Participate, you must participate!"