1.5G changes the pattern, revealing the progress of the 5G chip of Ziguang Zhanrui into the middle and high end after two years of progress;
Gathering micro-network news (Reporter / Deng Wenbiao) With the freezing of 5G NR (new air interface) standards, 5G is accelerating toward commercial use, and 5G has also become a new round of industry focus and industry opportunities. As the world's top three mobile phone chip design company After the accumulation of 2G, 3G and 4G eras, Ziguang Zengrui has shipped more than 700 million chips each year. In the face of the coming 5G, Ziguang Zengrui is stabilizing the low-end market, on the other hand, it is fully attacking 5G. , To become one of the best chip design companies in the world.
In order to become one of the best chip design companies in the world, Ziguang Zengrui will not only solidify the low-end market, but also must enter the high-end chip market in the future. 5G will be a great opportunity. Ziguang Zengru CEO Zeng Xuezhong stated that Ziguang Zengruhui Grasp 5G firmly, this is a very critical opportunity for the future to complete the 'overtaking' or 'straight overtaking' opponent.
Then, from the 5G NR standard freeze in June of this year to the next 5G terminal listing in September next year, the time for mobile phone chip design companies is already very tight, and how will Ziguang Zengrui 5G chips be specifically planned? Ziguang Zengru, chief operating officer Wang Jingming at IMT -The 2020 (5G) summit interview with MICRO said that Ziguang Zengrui is closely following the 5G standard. After all 5G interconnection and interoperability tests are completed, the 5G chip streamline will be quickly started to ensure that the first wave of 5G mobile phones will be listed.
At the latest in the fourth quarter of this year, 5G chips began to flow
Standards are the basis of all 5G work. Currently, 5G NSA (non-independent networking) and SA (independent networking) standards are formally frozen. Among them, the NSA was frozen in December last year and the SA part was frozen several days ago. The establishment of the standard means that the operator deploys the 5G network. Both the transitional NSA solution and the direct deployment of the SA solution can be satisfied.
At the same time, the involved 5G chips can quickly enter the standard process and quickly promote the R&D and design of 5G mobile phones. Zijing Zengru’s chief operating officer, Wang Jingming, stated that once the standard is officially released, it will immediately usher in commercialization. It is very fast. Ziguang Zengrui has already prepared for NSA and SA architecture selection. To keep up with this rhythm, it is necessary to closely track all the contents of the standard. Among them, one is the standard organization that follows 3GPP, and the other is Is to track operators, but also with the system equipment vendors, instrument companies to conduct interconnection between the test.
According to Wang Jingming, Ziguang Zengru has a dedicated R&D working group in the process of tracking standards. It specializes in tracking the evolution of standards and making more layouts in patents. 'We are very aggressive on this and we are now 5G already has a considerable number of patents.
Based on the freeze of the 5G NR standard, Ziguang Zengrui is rapidly launching the commercialization of 5G chips after the interoperability testing to ensure that the first wave of 5G mobile phones will be listed in September next year.
Wang Jingming revealed that there will be two key nodes in the time cycle. One is to have 5G terminals for commercial use in September next year, and the other is for the Barcelona exhibition at the end of February 2019. China Mobile requires each equipment manufacturer to produce 5G prototypes. Come.
This time for chip makers, the time requirements will be very high. Jingming Wang said, generally speaking, the chip is dropped for at least three months. After the tape is returned, it starts debugging. At least two months later, it can be given to the customer. Said that from the 2019 Barcelona show push forward five months, at the latest it must be in the fourth quarter of this year began chip streaming, and Ziguang Zengrui follow this time node to go forward. 5G chip or will use advanced process technology 14nm and below
In fact, 5G chips need to achieve higher speed and performance, and the chip design is more complex, and the cost and power consumption will also increase. Wang Jingming also said that the biggest difference between 5G chips and the past is that the complexity of 5G is higher than before. An order of magnitude higher. The first generation of 5G chips, both in terms of cost and power consumption, are higher than current 4G chips.
'This also determines if the relatively backward process, such as 28 nm, is destined to absolutely do not be able to do 5G chips. 'Wang Jingming said that even the current 14nm, 16nm process node, it is difficult to support the implementation of 5G The chip's R&D and design. As the 5G chip process requirements increase, the difficulty of tapeout will be greatly improved.
Of course, the 16nm node must not be designed for R&D of 5G chips. Because the 5G radio frequency combination will be much larger than the previous 4G combo type, the overall integration level will be more complicated. Once the low process technology is used, the 5G chip power is used. The consumption will be very high, and the area is still very large. Therefore, the 5G chip design will also be the same as the 4G chip design. After the first-generation 5G chip is commercialized, some uncertain functions will be determined, which will reduce the flexibility and cost. Power consumption will be done, but it still takes some time.
In terms of chip process technology, Ziguang Zengrui already has a global leading chip design process technology. At this stage, it has mass-produced 16/14nm process chip products, and actively develops 12/7nm process chip R&D. It is expected that the mainstream of next year will be 12nm, and in later years it will be 7nm.
5G change the pattern, cut into the high-end in 2021
For a long time, Ziguang Zengrui firmly believes that core technologies must rely on independent research and development. This can be seen from the achievements of the past 2G, 3G, and 4G eras. With the changes in the current international situation and changes in business modalities, Zeng Rui will be in the 5G era. Pay more attention to independent innovation. Take Modem as an example. In the past, 2G, 3G, 4G Modem developed and designed by Zhanrui actually performed well. Currently Zengru has assembled hundreds of engineers to independently develop 5G Modem.
It is learnt that Ziguang Zengrui has passed most of the test cases with system suppliers; it has cooperated with all system suppliers and test equipment suppliers on 5G Interoperability Testing (IoDT) to make the industry more mature. According to Ziguang Zunrui planning, 2019 Fully start 5G commercialization, single chip will support 2/3/4/5G, fully support NSA and SA standards.
According to Wang Jingming, 5G is the foundation for the future, and Ziguang Zengrui will be in the first echelon of 5G terminal chip suppliers, providing 5G solutions for the mainstream market, benefiting all consumers. At the same time, we also hope to support various Of all kinds of 5G product forms, of course, the most important is the mobile phone, the largest shipment of mobile phones, the driving effect is also very obvious.
According to past 3G and 4G mobile phone business practices, the first wave of 5G mobile phone shipments will be shaken by operators. Operators can quickly shake the market through the use of integrated operations. In addition, other mobile phone brands also have a certain market According to Counterpoint's forecast, by 2019, global 5G mobile phone shipments will reach 86 million units. In 2020, global 5G mobile phone shipments will reach 369 million units. By 2021, global 5G mobile phone shipments will reach 1.082 billion units.
It can be predicted from the data that after the 5G handsets begin to ship in the second half of next year, they will multiply rapidly by 2020 and start to erupt in 2021. This will also become an opportunity for Ziguang Zengrui to enter the mid-to-high end. Wang Jingming said that the future What is the demand of business people for 5G mobile phones? In fact, it is still in a running-in process. Maybe it will happen by 2020. By that time, the line of high-end 5G chips will be very clear.
Zeng Xuezhong has established a basic strategy for Ziguang Zengrui: The first is called the lower level, because this is the traditional market segment of Ziguang Zengrui; the second is called steadily entering the middle range, so Ziguang Zengru certainly is not limited to the low end, but also has Into the end of the appeal; The third is called 5G change the pattern.
Wang Jingming believes that the meaning of changing the pattern means that we will not only do low-end development. We must develop a new generation of 5G technology, so we need to enter a better virtuous circle. We must make a contribution to the mid-to-high end. With 5G Mobile phones will begin commercial use in the second half of next year, and 5G mobile phones will enter the outbreak period in 2021. At that time, Ziguang Zengru, the first echelon of mobile phone chips, will begin to enter the mid-to-high end virtuous circle. (Proofreading/Fan Rong)
2. Shanghai Angbao’s performance is expected to climb quarter by quarter in the second half of the year;
According to the micro-network news, Shanghai Angbao re-transmits the news of USB-PD (Power Transmit) chip, and the market spreads. Angbao has successfully entered the Korean-branded USB-PD mobile device accessories market, and it is expected to win again in the second half of the year. China Mobile's brand customer orders will expand the USB-PD market from notebooks to smart terminals.
As mobile phone brands continue to introduce fast-charged ICs, and USB-PD penetration in notebooks, mobile terminals and other products has increased, it is expected that Anbao’s performance in the second half of this year will be expected to climb quarter by quarter.
Since its official entry into the USB-PD market last year, Angbao has successfully entered the notebook computer market. However, due to the high cost of the USB-PD chip, the market incentives for the highly competitive mobile device market are small. But now the mobile phone brand factory is seeking Functional breakthroughs have been made, and the cost of USB-PD chips has begun to fall. Cell phone brands have also begun to introduce USB-PD chips.
In the market, Angbao's power control IC products have successfully entered the supply chain of Korean-branded USB-PD mobile accessory devices, and actively cooperated with Chinese mobile phone brand manufacturers on USB-PD products, and have the opportunity to begin in the second half of the year. Contribution performance.
In fact, after Onbest launched the USB-PD chip product, it quickly entered the notebook computer market and successfully won the US Department of China, which was the customer's order. It accounted for about 10% of the revenue in the first half of this year, compared with the same period last year. With multiple growth rates, it is expected that this year's USB-PD will account for 10% of the revenue and will attack the high standard of 15%.
However, Angbao’s most explosive growth products currently belong to the mobile phone fast charge IC. Currently, the mobile phone fast charge IC has acquired Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0/4.0 for mobile phone chip factory, and passed the “Pump Press 3.0” certification for MediaTek. Fast charge agreements, such as Huawei's FCP, SCP and OPPO's VOOC and other agreements, Ang Baodu have obtained certification, equivalent to grasping the major fast charging standards of the original factory and surrounding business opportunities.
3. A total investment of 6 billion. Innosecco wide bandgap semiconductor project settled in Wujiang;
Yangzi Evening News, June 24th (Reporter Gu Qiuping) On June 23, the Innovaco wide bandgap semiconductor project held a groundbreaking ceremony in Wujiang District, Suzhou City. It is reported that the project has a total investment of 6 billion yuan, covering an area of 368 acres. After that, it will become a world-class R&D and production platform for the third generation of semiconductor industry chain integrating research and development, design, epitaxial production, chip manufacturing, and subassembly testing, which will fill the gap of China's high-end semiconductor devices.
According to reports, Innosecco was founded by the Haigui Entrepreneurial Team, focusing on high-tech companies with wide bandgap semiconductor technology R&D and industrialization, and mastering a number of core patented technologies. At the end of 2017, Innosoft was successfully completed in Zhuhai. China's first eight-inch silicon nitride gallium nitride production line achieved historic breakthroughs and filled China's gap in this field.
At the ceremony, Wu Jiang, deputy head of the Wujiang District, deputy secretary of Wuhu Hi-tech Zone Party Work Committee, and Wu Qi, director of the management committee, said that the construction of the Innovac Suzhou Semiconductor Project will help the related upstream and downstream companies converge towards Wujiang. , To form an industrial cluster effect, to build Wuhu Hi-tech Zone into a world-class advanced semiconductor R&D and production center. Wujiang will actively support the construction of the Innovac wide bandgap semiconductor project and create a favorable policy environment for the returnee entrepreneurs. , To jointly promote the localization of high-end chips.
Inosocco CEO Sun Zaiheng said that at present, in the field of gallium nitride electronic power devices and radio frequency devices, especially silicon nitride gallium nitride, China has not yet achieved localization. The landing of the project is to break the situation. , To fill the gap of China's high-end semiconductor device industry. At the same time, this project is also the world's first large-scale production base in this field, with a monthly output of up to 60,000-80,000 tablets, for 5G mobile communications, new energy vehicles, high-speed trains, electronics Information, Aerospace, Energy, Internet, and other industries provide independent, innovative, and other transformation and upgrade industries with advanced, efficient, energy-saving and low-cost core electronic components.
4.The AI chip market will explode to nearly $20 billion. The cake is getting bigger but not so delicious
Economic Observer reporter Feng Qingyan Intern reporter Zhao Wei AI calculations are in the period of explosive growth, the international authoritative fund rating agency Morningstar predicts that the global AI chip market size in 2021 may exceed 20 billion US dollars. But this ever-growing cake, because the chip R&D and manufacturing have huge investments, huge risks, and long periods of time. This has made this piece of cake less powerful than the capital. Most of the companies that have invested in this field are giant companies such as Qualcomm, Google, Nvidia, and Huawei.
With the increase of market segments of artificial intelligence chips, the suitability of tailor-made chips will be higher than that of general-purpose chips. 'For the test of this suitability, we will continue to pay attention to the application of Tianxin Zhixin's products.' John Koeter, vice president of global marketing at Synopsys Technology, said.
John Koeter stated at the press conference on June 22 that there are two major trends in artificial intelligence chips: First, the chip can adapt to the continuous evolution of algorithms in specific scenarios, and second, there must be an innovative chip architecture that can adapt to as many applications as possible. Scenario. Synopsys Technology Co., Ltd. as a partner of Tianxinzhixin, both have common understanding on the commonality of the chip.
Tianji Zhixin is an AI chip company established for only two and a half years. Its founder and CEO Li Yunpeng believes that software algorithms are rapidly changing, and the chip's development cycle is relatively long. Defining the chip requirements according to current algorithm requirements is tantamount to gambling.
In Li Yunpeng's view, 'chips' + 'applications', existing chips and basic software for using chips, and industry applications using basic software, can be packaged as a complete solution for industrial applications and can be more quickly accessible to customers. , Less risk. Tianji Zhixin chose this route.
Li Yunpeng said in an exclusive interview with the media, 'The cost of the cloud chip investment must be massive, in this case the chip must ensure that the chip to make a market.'
Li Yunpeng frankly stated that chip R&D and manufacturing is a money-burning project. The cost of a cloud chip including a tapeout is about 11 million U.S. dollars.
Tian Duzhixin disclosed to the Economic Observer that its parent company, Nanjing Tiandi Information Technology Co., Ltd., has currently invested nearly RMB 100 million, and set up R&D centers in Silicon Valley, Shanghai, Beijing, Ningbo, etc. The financing phase is close to the B round, and there are many agencies. Investors, throwing olive branches to them.
In an interview with the media, the Economic Observer reported to Li Yunpeng about the company's positioning. Li Yunpeng stated that Tianji Jixin is not simply a chip company, basic software company, application company, but a 'system' company. He said Anyone who works hard in any single field will only go downhill. If the three are organically combined to form a complete system, they can really kill a bloody road.