Chapter 108 Brother Hu, it’s up to you
I really missed Cao Cao, so Cao Cao called me.
Hu Jiangshan pressed the answer button, and as expected, Wang Chengdong's Mandarin with a strong accent came from the other side.
"Hey, Brother Hu, are you busy? Is it convenient to talk?"
"Not busy or not, Mr. Wang, you tell me."
Wang Chengdong said: "Didn't I send you an improved version of Kirin 990 last time? How is the research going?"
Hu Jiangshan smiled and replied: "Mr. Wang, we have already finished the research."
Wang Chengdong asked: "Can the tape-out be completed?"
"Okay, it's ready for tape-out now."
Wang Chengdong immediately asked: "Brother Hu, when can it be done?"
Hu Jiangshan thought for a while and said: "We can schedule it as soon as possible. We can get it done within a week."
"...a week?"
"Mr. Wang, are you too slow? How about I..."
"No, no, no, just one week, just one week to tape out the improved version!"
Hu Jiangshan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll make arrangements quickly."
Wang Chengdong asked: "As for the cost of the tape-out, please tell me later. I will have the property recorded and I will send you the next batch of payment together."
"Mr. Wang, there's no need to forget this."
"...No need to forget it?"
"Yes, we will tape it out for you for free this time."
Wang Chengdong was stunned for a moment.
This reminded Wang Chengdong that Hu Jiangshan did not ask for money for the tape-out of the first version of Kirin 990.
Wang Chengdong was somewhat moved.
Hu Jiangshan obviously knew about Huayao's current situation. Funds were needed to get through all aspects, which would cost a lot of money.
Although domestic flagship mobile phones are selling in unlimited quantities, the overseas market has not stopped the decline due to various reasons. Recently, a large amount of R&D funds have been approved, which is very stressful.
In fact, the cost of chip tape-out is very high, especially the tape-out of advanced chips, which is even more expensive.
At this time, it is 2018, and the quotation of Shimaji's seven-nanometer chip has reached 10 million U.S. dollars. In the next few years, the tide will rise even more, causing several somersaults.
Wang Chengdong said with a smile: "Brother Hu, that's very interesting. I won't thank you for your kindness. Let's record the money here first and make up for it when we have spare money."
Hu Jiangshan didn't care, after all, his side's tape-out cost almost nothing.
Hu Jiangshan asked: "By the way, Mr. Wang, I just read a news that Huayao is going to release a new flagship?"
Wang Chengdong laughed: "Did you see it? The news is correct, and the new flagship is faster than you think, but there is a prerequisite."
Hu Jiangshan also smiled.
There is no doubt that the prerequisite is that Hu Jiangshan successfully mass-produces the improved version of the Kirin 990 chip.
Wang Chengdong said: "Brother Hu, it's up to you. When can the chip be mass-produced, the flagship phone can be released."
Hu Jiangshan responded.
In fact, Huayao still has another plan, which is to still use the current version of Kirin 990. Now the prototype has been tested and performed well.
But if you can use the latest version of Kirin 990, it will be even more shocking.
Hu Jiangshan and Zhang Rui have also studied that the performance of the improved version of Kirin 990 has been greatly improved, and it is conservatively estimated to increase by 20%.
Moreover, the structure of the chip has been improved and the power consumption will be lower.
Strictly speaking, this chip cannot be called Kirin 990 at all. It should be named by another name. There is certainly no problem with Hu Jiangshan's mass production, and it will definitely be smoother than Huayao's people imagined.
There is no way, the technology is here.
The upgraded semiconductor production line will improve more than just production capacity.
Hu Jiangshan chatted with Wang Chengdong for a while and then hung up the phone.
He still had to rest early. Hu Jiangshan felt that he would be very busy in the next few days.
A few days later, Guangshen City, Huayao Bantian Base.
As we all know, HiSilicon Semiconductor is a very important department of Huayao.
Almost all of Huayao's own chips are designed here.
Moreover, HiSilicon has developed rapidly in the past two years, and its chip design level is now extremely high. It is now a very powerful chip design unit in the world.
However, due to the recent introduction of strict semiconductor laws by Eagle Lijian, Hexi's semiconductor department has indeed been greatly impacted.
For example, some time ago, people were panicking and rumors were spreading. Many employees felt that the HiSilicon Semiconductor Department would soon become a burden to Huayao, and they would then face layoffs or even the entire HiSilicon Semiconductor Department.
However, due to the recent large-scale sales of flagship mobile phones by Huayao, the employees of Hexi Semiconductor have temporarily calmed down and stabilized.
But even so, many employees are still a little hesitant and confused, because they don't know whether Huayao's chip can be recreated.
No matter how good the chip design is, if the physical chip cannot be manufactured and the chip cannot be mass-produced, then all our work will be in vain.
In a conference room, two employees were discussing something in a low voice.
These two people are external relations employees of Hexi Semiconductor.
You must know that HiSilicon is an independently operated department in Huayao, which means it has a complete management system.
The so-called external relations department is the function of connecting with other companies, discussing business, and discussing cooperation.
For example, channels, transportation, and chip foundry.
Zhao Jianwei said: "Brother Nan, something doesn't feel right. Are the 4S stores sincere? Is it useful for us to talk to them?"
Jiang Nan waved her hand: "It would be great if they can come over. How can we be sincere?"
Zhao Jianwei sighed, speechless for a moment, and felt very entangled in his heart.
The most troubled thing within Huayao right now is the employees in the HiSilicon semiconductor department.
Their task is to design chips, but now that the Semiconductor Act has been released, it is no longer possible for Island Semiconductor to manufacture chips for them.
Later, there were rumors that the testing department had indeed obtained some new Kirin chip samples. At that time, many versions were circulated, such as those made by Huaxin International and those made by the Academy of Sciences overnight...
But in the end these turned out to be rumors.
Anyway, not many people know the inside story, and they are very strict with their mouths.
There's nothing I can do if I'm not strict. They all signed confidentiality agreements. If they really want to leak out from their mouths, they really have to go in and step on the sewing machine.
Anyway, the specific situation is being kept secret, and most employees don’t know what’s going on and think it’s still a deadlock.
Now everyone is in a hurry and trying to find a way out.
For example, the external relations department is ready to talk to Sansang.
Although I know that it is impossible for Sansang to manufacture chips for Huayao, as long as we can talk about this situation now, we need to talk more.
Today I made an appointment with the business representative of Sansang Semiconductor in China to come over and have a chat to see if there is any way to reach some kind of cooperation.
Jiang Nan opened the bottle of mineral water, took a sip, and said, "Although Sansang can't OEM chips for us, it can always be taped out, right?"
"The tape-out, oh, it's really..."
Zhao Jianwei nodded: "If it's just for tape-out, I think it won't be a big problem."
(End of chapter)