"Xiao Dong, ASML announced that the world's first EUV lithography machine has been successfully developed.This also means that in a few years, the nodes of the advanced process will advance to below 10N, and the nodes such as 7N, 5N, and 3N are beckoning to everyone.Unfortunately, we can't enjoy the benefits of advances in lithography equipment.Because, less than 24 hours after the news was announced, the United States immediately announced that it would prohibit ASML from selling EUV lithography equipment to China. ”As soon as he got to work that morning, Wei Jianjun came to Xiao Bai's office.It can be seen that he didn't sleep well last night, his eyes are obviously bloodshot, and the expression on his face is also very serious.This news may not be worth mentioning to most people, and the average person can't figure out what it means anyway.However, for domestic IC manufacturers, especially those pursuing advanced processes, it is tantamount to a major blow."
Xiao Dong, I use the DUV lithography machine on my side, and I can only advance to the 7N node at most.This has taken into account all the independent advantages of technologies such as double exposure technology, and further down, such as 5N nodes, cannot be done without EUV lithography machines. ”Wei Jianjun is worried about this problem, without the EUV lithography machine, the company will stop at the 7N node.At present, the domestic EUV lithography machine cannot be counted on.Up to now, Pudong Microelectronics has not yet carried out a project for the research and development of EUV lithography equipment, and there is no question of when it will be successful."
Lao Wei, don't worry about the next few years, and do your job as planned.Here I can give you an explanation, it is far from the most difficult time, Lao Mei's attack on us has just begun, you have to be mentally prepared. ”Xiao Bai knows very well that the top priority now is not a question of development, but a question of survival.Wei Jianjun has accumulated relatively strong strength, although it lags behind in the advanced process, but the future competition is still some basic things.He then suggested that Wei Jianjun continue to do a good job of expanding production capacity, and at the same time strive for excellence and strive to reduce production costs, at least before the 7N node, and will not be defeated."
That's it!
I'll get in touch with ASML again and try to get a 14N lithography machine.With the 14N lithography machine, we will gradually conquer the process technology of the 10N node and even the 7N node, and carry it through the past few years. ”Wei Jianjun initially had a plan in his mind, he wanted to skip the 10n node, and jump directly from the 14n node to the 7n node.However, he needed to discuss this matter with the technical team again, so he didn't say it in front of Xiao Bai.After Wei Jianjun left, Xiao Bai couldn't sit still in the office, and then took a car to Pudong Microelectronics Company.Fan Donglin obviously also knew the news that ASML had successfully developed the EUV lithography machine, and when he saw Xiao Bai, he probably guessed the purpose of the other party's coming.Needless to say, it must be here to inspect the R&D progress of the 28N lithography machine project."
Xiao Dong, I'm really ashamed!
People have already made all the EUV lithography machines, and I am still stuck on the 28N node.During this period of time, the research and development of the project has made new progress, and the research and development work has been carried out smoothly after summarizing the lessons of previous failures.You give me another three months......
No, you give me two more months, and I'll be able to get the prototype out. ”On the one hand, Fan Donglin saw the gap between himself and the international giants, and on the other hand, he was also deeply stimulated and decided to end the project of the 28N lithography machine as soon as possible.Then the development of the 14N lithography machine began.Now that the hopes of the IC manufacturing of the times are pinned on him, Fan Donglin feels that the burden on his body is very heavy, and when facing Xiao Bai, he gritted his teeth and gave a deadline."
Fan Dong, I didn't mean to rush you.I'm here today mainly to learn about the progress of the research and development work, and by the way, to see what difficulties you have.If there is anything you need me for, you don't have to be polite, please speak up. ”Xiao Bai was also a little anxious, and he planned to give Fan Donglin the necessary support as much as he could."
Thank you, thank you!
Xiao Dong, I will find a way to overcome other difficulties myself.After we have finished the 28N lithography project, the next node is the research and development of the 14N lithography machine, and I hope you can provide the necessary financial support. ”Fan Donglin has no shortage of funds for the time being, but he plans to pre-develop a 14N lithography machine in advance.Major R&D projects were arranged so intensively, he was afraid that his funds would be stretched thin at that time, so he said hello to Xiao Bai in advance."
No problem!
When the time comes, I will ask Dean Zhou to prepare sufficient funds and cooperate with you in the development of 14N lithography machines. ”Xiao Bai nodded with a smile and agreed to Fan Donglin's request.Subsequently, Xiao Bai did not let Fan Donglin accompany him, he went to the R&D department by himself.Until he got off work in the afternoon, he stayed at the Pudong Microelectronics Company and did not leave until the evening.Following.All kinds of negative news are widely circulated in the market, and the stock price of Times IC Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is another down limit at the opening.Originally, some time ago, the company's stock price had begun to rise, and it also broke through the 8 yuan integer mark in the intraday.Now there is a bearish, the stock price has fallen above 7 yuan again, and there is a trend of falling below 7 yuan.Fortunately, Wei Jianjun has 20 billion yuan of funds obtained from the issuance of convertible bonds, and the change in stock price in the short term will not hurt him fundamentally.In the next period of time, Wei Jianjun actively increased the production capacity of 14N and 28N chips to ensure the order production of important customers.The new model of Wanwei Technology is finally on sale.Sihai Electronics has also launched two new models, which were broken some time ago due to the dilemma of no cores available.But Wang Jiming and An Ran couldn't be happy.The supply of chips for mobile phones is guaranteed now, but what about later?
When the world's mainstream IC manufacturers will advance the process technology to the 7N node or even below the 7N node in the next few years, what should they do in the era of IC manufacturing without EUV lithography machines?
Xiao Bai was also thinking about this problem.In the past few days, he has repeatedly weighed the pros and cons and made a list of priorities.In the future, first of all, it is necessary to ensure the supply of mature process products, and the first stage is the supply of automotive chips.The intelligence of automotive products is steadily improving, and more and more chips are used.This level also includes chips used in home appliances, which do not have high requirements for the manufacturing process, but have higher requirements for the reliability of the products, and the manufacturing can be handed over to the group company and the Beijing company.The second level is the chips used in communication products, including but not limited to RF chips, baseband chips, etc.In addition to mobile phones, these chips will be used in a large number of communication equipment, and the process requirements are high, but for the era of IC manufacturing, the pressure is not great.The production of this part of the chip can be handed over to the Beijing company and listed companies.The third level is the mobile phone chip, which can only be produced by listed companies for the time being, and other companies do not have the corresponding technical conditions.After combing, Xiao Bai determined that the most affected in the future is mobile phone chips.This part of the product pursues the most advanced process technology, which can be full of huge variables.In other words, there are shortcomings in the era of chip manufacturing, which brings greater risks to the mobile phone industry of Wanwei Technology and Sihai Electronics.Xiao Bai decided to find an opportunity to talk to Wang Jiming and An Ran.It just so happened that now Times IC Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has also temporarily stabilized, Xiao Bai took time to have a meal with Fan Donglin, Wei Jianjun, Wang Xuming and others, and finally ended the days of being stationed in the magic capital for a long time and returned to Shencheng.After returning to Shencheng, Xiao Bai talked with Wang Jiming and An Ran respectively, listened to their opinions, and then convened a meeting of the decision-making committee."
Ladies and gentlemen, today's topic is just one, to discuss the supply chain crisis that Sihai Electronics and Wanwei Technology will encounter in the next few years.As we all know, these two companies mainly cooperated with Times Communications and Ruiyi Semiconductor, and the main components have been localized.But now the situation has changed, and after the era I node, the EUV lithography machine will not be available, that is, the two companies will face a chip crisis after the 7N node.If you have any good suggestions, please talk about them......"
Xiao Bai already had an idea in his heart, but this matter involved a lot, so he naturally had to unify his opinions with the high-level of the Times Department.That's what he's doing this meeting.After Xiao Bai finished speaking, the atmosphere in the conference room was very strange.Everyone was silent, even Xu Changqing, who was the second to speak according to the convention, did not squeak.After a long while, the silence was broken.He coughed and said, "Then I'll say a few words first......
If, when the world's mainstream IC manufacturers advance the process node to 7N, our domestic EUV lithography machine cannot be counted on, then there is only one way out for me and Mr.
Wang, that is, to purchase chips. ”Everyone understands this way out, but no one wants to mention it.Purchasing chips is tantamount to reversing the wheel, not to mention, but also handing over the security of the supply chain to others.This person is mainly a chip supplier in North America and a manufacturer on the island.Enron's words are equivalent to uncovering this layer of paper."
I'm afraid that's the only way to go!
Alas, I don't know when the domestic equipment will come out, Fan Dong wants to set up the project as soon as possible, if he is short of money, we are all willing to support a part. ”Xu Changqing's words represent everyone's mentality, and they are extremely reluctant to buy chips, but they don't want to watch the decline of Sihai Electronics and Wanwei Technology."
I can understand everyone's feelings, but the survival of the company is the first priority.An Dong, you and Mr.
Wang must make a good plan, you can find opportunities to contact GT and other companies, the purchase of chips is not a one-shot brain, it must be considered in the long run. ”Xiao Bai saw that no one clearly opposed An Ran's opinion, so he directly made a decision.Enron and Wang Jiming can contact GT now, and can apply each other's chips on some products in the future to ensure the continuous and stable operation of the company.Of course, there will be no major changes in the chip supply in the past two years, and it mainly depends on companies within Times Communications, Ruiyi Semiconductor, AUO Microelectronics, etc.After Xiao Bai finished speaking, seeing that everyone was not in good spirits, he announced the adjournment of the meeting."
Ah Bai, can't Pudong microelectronic equipment really make EUV lithography machines?
Looking back, Mr.
Wang and I supported them with some funds, hoping that they could quickly set up the project. ”After the meeting, An Ran followed Xiao Bai to the office."
Ah Ran, there are priorities, and the top priority on Fan Dong's side is not the EUV lithography machine, but the 28N and 14N lithography machines should be won as soon as possible.As long as the lithography machine of these two nodes is overcome, about 8% of the future domestic demand will be retained.Any idea why I'm compromising on your supply chain issues?
It is because you and Mr.
Wang are at the bottom of the priority level I have set, that is, the third level. ”Xiao Bai told the truth, An Ran's face immediately became a little unsightly."
You don't pay attention to the mobile phone industry at all?""
How can you not pay attention to it?
Your two companies are very profitable, and every year you bring in huge profits and huge cash flow.But we have to grasp the main contradiction, from the degree of difficulty, cost performance and other aspects, we first have to keep the basic plate, that is, the market involved in mature technology, this part occupies 8% of the market share, covering all important industries. ”Xiao Bai's choice was a helpless move, the advanced process was technically difficult and the equipment requirements were high, and he was stuck by others.Besides, Sihai Electronics and Wanwei Technology still have the road to buy chips, and under normal circumstances, the other party will not push the opportunity to make money out.The United States focuses on domestic communications giants, as well as companies like Times Communications.If they want to get stuck in the entire semiconductor industry, they can't do it.There will inevitably be trade-offs," and in that case, we need to start designing mobile phones based on GT chips from now on.Otherwise, you will definitely be blind when you get to the eye. ”An Ran actually felt very lucky, after all, he and Wang Jiming still had a choice.If there is a choice, it means that the enterprise cannot die."
Okay, you and Mr.
Wang can just watch and do this kind of thing.However, before the 7n node, you still have to purchase as many domestic parts as possible, so you don't need me to tell you the truth, right?
”Xiao Bai looked at An Ran and smiled slightly."
I understand!
I'll go to Mr.
Wang now and convey the spirit of today's meeting to him. ”Wang Jiming did not attend the meeting today, his seniority in the Department of Times is still young, and high-level meetings like this are usually represented by Enron, and he will be briefed on the situation after the meeting.Xiao Bai nodded, and An Ran immediately got up and left the office.Time flies.In a blink of an eye, nearly two months have passed since Xiao Bai returned to the deep city.The stock price of Times IC Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has fallen miserably.As of yesterday's closing price, the stock price was only 5.16 yuan.It is much lower than the conversion price of the company's convertible bonds.Xiao Bai immediately made a decision and asked Wei Jianjun to hold a board meeting, and the company officially repurchased shares.The bill was passed without any suspense.Times IC Co., Ltd. immediately issued an announcement: the company will repurchase shares with its own funds, and the number of shares to be repurchased will not exceed 100 million shares, and the repurchase price will be 5.20 yuan to 6.20 yuan per share.