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December 13
- The Behind Story of ASML's Acquisition of Mapper: The Quadrilateral Struggle Between China, the US, Russia, and the Netherlands
➀ A former ASML employee with a Russian background was detained by the Dutch government for allegedly stealing chip-making manuals and other files from ASML and Mapper Lithography, sparking concerns from all sides;
➁ Mapper, a firm specializing in electron-beam lithography, was acquired by ASML in 2019, leading to a power struggle among the US, the Netherlands, China, and Russia;
➂ Mapper's technology, with high resolution and low cost, was considered a competitor to EUV lithography machines, but failed to gain widespread adoption due to its slow speed and low efficiency;
➃ Mapper received investment from RUSNANO, a Russian investment fund, which helped establish a factory in Moscow to produce necessary parts, but later faced financial difficulties and sought Chinese partners;
➄ The US Department of Defense was interested in Mapper's technology but failed to secure a deal, leading to Mapper's bankruptcy and ASML's acquisition;
➅ ASML acquired Mapper's technology and patents, but closed its electron-beam lithography product line, while Mapper's Russian factory was acquired by RUSNANO and continues to operate;
➆ Russia and China are continuing to develop their own electron-beam lithography technologies to meet their semiconductor manufacturing needs.
- Jiangsu's First Semiconductor IPO This Year Surges 568%: Two Equipment Leaders Hold Shares
➀ Pioneer Precision, a core component supplier for Jiangsu's semiconductor equipment, was successfully listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board, with a surge of 534% on the first day of trading.
➁ This is the only company in Jiangsu to be listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board this year and the only company in the country to pass and be listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board in the same year since the introduction of the new 'national nine articles' in April and the 'eight articles' by the China Securities Regulatory Commission in June.
➂ Pioneer Precision has achieved localization and autonomy in a variety of key process components and has the capability to provide complete process support. It is one of the few domestic suppliers that can mass-produce and supply key components for etching equipment with 7nm and below domestic technology, directly competing with international manufacturers.
December 12
- 安徽首富曹仁贤投资院士加持的半导体公司阿基米德
➀ Anhui's richest man, Cao Renxian, recently invested in Akiydemi Semiconductor, a power semiconductor chip company in Hefei, supported by two academicians.
➁ Akiydemi has received strong support from Hefei and completed a 300 million yuan angel round in 2021.
➂ SunPower, a leading solar inverter company, has invested in Akiydemi, with SunPower's affiliated investment fund, Renfa Investment, becoming the third largest shareholder.
- MediaTek Joins Apple's Supply Chain for the First Time, Replacing Intel in Smartwatch Chips!
➀ Apple plans to add satellite communication and blood pressure monitoring to its smartwatches by 2025, targeting specific consumer upgrades.
➁ Apple will replace Intel with MediaTek as the supplier of modulator chips for some smartwatch models, recognizing MediaTek's technical strength in modulator technology.
➂ This marks MediaTek's first entry into Apple's main hardware product supply chain and is of significant importance.
- China's Export Control of Strategic Resource Antimony Leads to Price Surge
➀ China has announced export control measures on dual-use items to the US military and for military use;
➁ The price of antimony, a rare metal, has surged 2-fold within a year due to China's export restrictions;
➂ Antimony, known as 'the industrial elixir', is widely used in industries and the military, particularly as a flame retardant and in photovoltaic glass production;
➃ Antimony is also used in military applications such as ammunition and infrared missiles.
- NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel Team Up to Invest in an AI Chip Unicorn
➀ NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel have jointly invested in Ayar Labs, a startup that specializes in optical I/O solutions for large-scale AI workloads.
➁ Ayar Labs has raised $155 million in funding from investors including NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and GlobalFoundries, valuing the company at over $1 billion.
➂ The company's optical I/O technology aims to redefine AI infrastructure by overcoming the bottlenecks of traditional copper interconnects.
December 11
- Europe's Three Major Chip Giants Plan to Produce Chips in China!
➀ European chip giants Infineon, STMicroelectronics, and NXP have recently expressed the importance of the Chinese market and plan to produce chips in China to better serve Chinese customers;
➁ Infineon is localizing the production of some products in China to meet the needs of Chinese customers and address their concerns about supply security;
➂ NXP aims to establish a Chinese chip supply chain for its customers and has established a business relationship with SMIC and is exploring partnerships with TSMC Nanjing and Hua Hong Semiconductor;
➃ STMicroelectronics has announced a partnership with Hua Hong Hongli to produce 40nm MCUs in China by the end of 2025, meeting market demand and optimizing the supply chain;
➄ STMicroelectronics has been increasing its cooperation with Chinese companies, establishing a joint wafer manufacturing plant in Chongqing for 8-inch silicon carbide chips and setting up a packaging and testing factory in Shenzhen;
➅ China is the world's largest automotive market and the demand for automotive chips is leading globally, accounting for 23.56% of the global automotive chip market in 2023.
- Wei Shaojun Criticizes China's Chip Design Industry for 'Involution' Phenomenon in ICCAD Speech
➀ Wei Shaojun pointed out the problems in China's chip design industry, such as the lack of growth in the top ten design companies, the decline in contribution to the industry's progress, and the market still being at the middle and low end of the value chain.
➁ He criticized the phenomenon of 'involution' in the industry, including irrational competition and excessive talent acquisition costs.
➂ He proposed suggestions for the sustainable development of the industry, such as improving product competitiveness, establishing a complete set of processes and methods for design methodology, and developing independent product technology systems.
- Has Malaysia's 'Semiconductor Era' Finally Arrived?
➀ Malaysia has historically been involved in the semiconductor industry, focusing on backend tasks such as chip assembly, packaging, and testing;
➁ The country is seeking to become a global center for integrated circuit design and manufacturing, with a government plan to invest $107 billion in the semiconductor industry;
➂ Major companies like Intel and Infineon have invested in Malaysia, and Chinese chip companies are considering setting up operations there.
December 10
- The Real Cost of Car Chip Replacement: Where Does the Price Go?
➀ Last month, Xpeng Motors crowdfunded a chip replacement for their P7 model, reaching the crowdfunding target in three days. Owners spent 4,999 yuan to upgrade from the Qualcomm 820A to the latest 8295.
➁ The cost of replacing a car's chip is high due to the need to replace the entire 'domain controller' and significant software development costs.
➂ The rapid development of software in the automotive industry is outpacing the chip performance, leading to frequent updates and the need for more powerful chips.
- China Electronics Corporation Takes Control of Huada Jiutian
➀ China Electronics Corporation (China Electronics) will become the actual controller of Huada Jiutian after acquiring a controlling stake.
➁ Huada Jiutian, a leading domestic EDA company, is set to be integrated into China Electronics' consolidated financial statements.
➂ China Electronics plans to support Huada Jiutian's development by leveraging its resources and industry connections.
- AI Era: How to Achieve Domestic Replacement of High-End MLCCs?
➀ The demand for MLCCs is growing due to the development of new technologies and the electronic product market.
➁ Domestic MLCC companies like Weiyong Technology are facing the challenge of providing high-quality MLCC products for the changing electronic terminal products driven by AI technology.
➂ MLCCs in AI servers face challenges in performance, product form, and need for high-performance and advanced manufacturing processes.
➃ The domestic MLCC market has a huge space for replacement due to the low self-sufficiency rate and the dominance of Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese companies in the high-end market.
➄ Weiyong Technology focuses on high-end applications, expands production, and deepens research and development to achieve breakthroughs in the high-end MLCC market.
➅ Weiyong Technology has achieved significant progress in the production and R&D of high-end MLCCs, aiming to become a global leader in the MLCC industry.
- NVIDIA Faced with Antitrust Investigation in China! A 10,000-Word Ultra-Core Long Article!
➀ NVIDIA is being investigated for antitrust practices in China.
➁ The investigation is related to NVIDIA's acquisition of Mellanox and its sales practices in China.
➂ The article discusses the impact of NVIDIA's technologies on the AI industry and its competition with Intel and AMD.
➃ The article also explores the broader context of chiplet technology and the competition between different interconnect standards.
- Google's Most Powerful Quantum Chip Unveiled! Solves 30-Year Major Challenge, Faster Than the Fastest Supercomputer, Musk Amazes
➀ Google's latest quantum chip, Willow, achieves remarkable performance in benchmark tests, completing a standard calculation in less than 5 minutes;
➁ The chip solves a 30-year-old quantum error correction challenge by reducing errors exponentially with more qubits;
➂ Willow's breakthrough indicates that quantum computers could achieve scientific discoveries even the most powerful supercomputers cannot by the end of the 21st century;
➃ Quantum computing is crucial for tasks like discovering new drugs, designing efficient batteries for electric vehicles, and accelerating nuclear fusion.
December 9
- An In-Depth Understanding of the Role of PDK
➀ PDK (Process Design Kit) serves as a bridge between chip design and manufacturing, with the following important roles:
➁ In terms of design, it provides design rules and supports the design process.
➂ In terms of manufacturing, it conveys process information and ensures process compatibility.
- Native Millimeter Wave New Product Launched: Zhenghe Weixin Releases New Generation 4uA 24G Millimeter Wave Sensing SoC Chip
➀ The performance of millimeter wave radar, including detection accuracy, reliability, and anti-interference capability, has significantly improved with technological advancements, making its application in smart homes more widespread.
➁ The global millimeter wave radar market is expanding continuously, with a market size expected to exceed 50 billion yuan by 2024, and the Chinese market has already exceeded 10 billion yuan, with further expansion expected.
➂ Zhuhai Zhenghe Weixin Technology Co., Ltd. (ZHWX) has announced the launch of its new ultra-low-power 24G millimeter wave sensing SoC chip RS2111, marking a major breakthrough in the field of millimeter wave sensing.
➃ The RS2111 chip achieves an astonishing 4uA ultra-low-power consumption, breaking the technical challenge of being comparable in power consumption to PIR sensors while maintaining excellent millimeter wave sensing performance.
➄ The MRS26x series sensors, based on the RS2111 chip, are the smallest in their class (8x12mm²) and are suitable for installation in various small electronic devices.
➅ The sensors can detect human movement, micro-motion, and presence within a range of 8 meters and have built-in low-power anti-interference algorithms to adapt to complex indoor and outdoor environments.
➆ The sensors are easy to use with zero coding and can be quickly developed for different product needs.
- In-Depth Analysis: The Key Points of Biden's Final Chip Sanctions Plan
➀ The U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed new restrictions on equipment, software, and HBM, listing 140 Chinese semiconductor companies on the 'Entity List'.
➁ The sanctions are a culmination of previous measures, with the U.S. Commerce Secretary describing it as 'comprehensive and innovative'.
➂ The details of the sanctions include restrictions on the transfer of key equipment, chips, or technology outside of the U.S., Japan, and Europe, and the inclusion of semiconductor-related software and 'software keys' in the restrictions.
- Chips: Major Manufacturers Offer Deep Discounts on Mature Processes
➀ Manufacturers are offering significant discounts on mature process wafers to attract Taiwan IC designers, with prices as low as 60% off;
➁ The discounted products are mainly for mature process chips such as driver ICs, power management ICs, and MCUs;
➂ The demand for mature process products like driver ICs, microcontrollers, and power management ICs has weakened, leading to a buyer's market;
➃ The largest price reductions are seen in 40/45 nm processes, with 12-inch wafer prices being reduced to as low as 60% of Taiwan wafer manufacturers' quotes;
➄ There is a wave of switching orders as Taiwan IC designers increase wafer orders due to the significant discounts;
➅ The capacity utilization of Taiwan wafer fabs like United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) and TSMC, which rely heavily on mature processes, has fallen below 70%, negatively impacting revenue and margins.
- Marvell: The Quiet Rise of a Semiconductor Giant
➀ Marvell's market capitalization surpassed $100 billion for the first time after releasing its Q3 fiscal year 2025 financial results;
➁ Marvell's ASIC business is a key driver of its growth, with over 2,000 custom chips designed over 25 years;
➂ Marvell's custom AI chip services are becoming a major revenue source, with significant partnerships and a goal of capturing 20% of the $40 billion custom chip market in data centers;
➃ Marvell's interconnect business is growing rapidly, with advancements in PAM4 SerDes technology and optical interconnect solutions;
➄ Marvell's 3nm optical DSP and 5nm PCIe retimer products are set to drive future growth;
➅ Marvell's 51.2T Ethernet switch, Teralynx 10, is designed for low power and high performance in data center environments;
➆ Marvell's focus on AI and data center technologies is expected to continue driving growth and market capitalization.
- Arm CEO's Perspective on Intel's Current Situation
➀ Arm CEO, Rene Haas, expresses his views on Intel's current situation, highlighting the importance of innovation in the tech industry.
➁ Haas discusses Intel's strategic challenges, particularly the IDM vs. Fabless debate, and his belief in the potential advantages of vertical integration.
➂ The CEO addresses rumors about Arm's potential acquisition of Intel and its plans to expand its chip manufacturing business.
- India's Insatiable Demand for Chips
➀ India's semiconductor import value grew by 18.5% in the fiscal year 2023-24, reaching 171 billion rupees.
➁ In the fiscal year 2024, India imported 18.43 billion semiconductor chips.
➂ The Indian government has initiated projects like 'India Semiconductor Show' to reduce dependence on imports by promoting domestic production and attracting foreign investment.
- ASML Former Employee Banned from Entering the Netherlands for Stealing Technology
➀ Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration has imposed a 20-year entry ban on a former ASML employee.
➁ The ex-employee, a 43-year-old Russian engineer, is also facing charges for violating sanctions regulations.
➂ He is accused of stealing ASML and Mapper Lithography chip technology documents over the years.
December 8
- Southeast Asia Semiconductors: Emerging or Just a Buzz?
➀ The US-China tension is fostering a tech hub in Southeast Asia with over $100 billion in foreign direct investment in Malaysia and Vietnam.
➁ The rise is driven by multinational corporations, governments, and startups developing AI and establishing chip manufacturing centers.
➂ Malaysia is expanding its chip manufacturing capacity and attracting foreign investment, aiming to become a high-income country.
➃ Vietnam's Bac Ninh province is becoming a high-tech industrial center with over 37,000 new jobs created.
➄ China's tech firms are setting up operations in Vietnam to avoid trade restrictions and access advanced chips.
➅ Singapore's Jurong district is becoming a hub for AI and data centers, with significant investments from Nvidia and Microsoft.
- 0.7nm Era Approaching: Imec and Intel Share Roadmap
➀ Intel, TSMC, and Samsung are advancing their processes to 1.8nm (18A) and 1.6nm (16A) with full-gate transistors (Intel calls them RibbonFET) and further to the 14A node.
➁ Imec is researching the next-generation complementary field-effect transistor (CFET) stacked transistors on the process roadmap.
➂ Imec will showcase its CFET standard cell at the 2024 IEEE International Electronic Devices Meeting (IEDM) this week, which includes two rows of CFET with a shared signal wiring wall, reducing the area of logic and SRAM units significantly.
➃ Intel has made breakthroughs in 2D transistor technology using beyond-silicon materials, chip interconnects, and packaging technologies.
➄ Intel's RibbonFET is the company's first new transistor design since the introduction of FinFET 13 years ago and is the company's first full-gate (GAA) transistor.
December 7
- El Salvador's $3 Trillion Gold Discovery: A Blessing or a Curse?
➀ El Salvador has discovered up to $3 trillion in unmined gold.
➁ President Nayib Bukele is pushing to repeal the mining ban regulation to allow mining.
➂ The environmental impact is being criticized, but the economic benefits are seen as a solution to water problems.
➃ The gold discovery is considered a gift for the country's perseverance.
➄ The value of the gold is more than 8,800% of El Salvador's current GDP.
➅ The economic growth and job creation are expected to be significant.
➆ Bukele's presidency and social media use are highlighted.
December 6
- US Imposes Full Blockade on China's Semiconductor Industry: The Most Focused News of Recent Days
➀ The US expands its blockade on Chinese semiconductor companies, including 140 new entities on the Entity List.
➁ China's four major industry associations voice opposition, suggesting cautious procurement of US chips.
➂ Huawei, the only domestic company offering a full range of self-developed AI infrastructure, outlines its strategy to counter the blockade.
➃ Huawei's 'super-node + cluster' architecture enhances training efficiency and reduces failures.
➄ Huawei Cloud's new CloudMatrix architecture to launch in 2024, providing high-efficiency and reliable AI computing services.
➅ China's industries are increasingly adopting AI, with Huawei Cloud supporting numerous large models.
- Vietnam Welcomes NVIDIA, Establishing Dual AI R&D and Data Center Bases
➀ Vietnam's Prime Minister and NVIDIA CEO signed a cooperation agreement to establish an AI R&D center and data center in Vietnam;
➁ The Prime Minister praised NVIDIA's contribution to Vietnam's development through AI technology;
➂ NVIDIA's CEO expressed high praise for Vietnam's potential in AI and technology development;
➃ Vietnam plans to invest in infrastructure and human resources to integrate into the global semiconductor supply chain;
➄ Vietnam's semiconductor industry is attracting global attention, and the government has announced a strategic development plan to deepen integration into the global supply chain;
➅ Vietnam's policy support for the semiconductor industry is driving industry upgrades and positioning the country as a key player in the global supply chain.
- NXP Chips to Achieve Purely 'Made in China'!
➀ NXP and World Advanced are constructing a 12-inch wafer factory in Singapore with an investment of 7.8 billion USD, aiming to start mass production in 2027 and reach a monthly capacity of 55,000 12-inch wafers by 2029.
➁ NXP is actively seeking to establish a supply chain in China to serve customers needing Chinese production capacity.
➂ NXP plans to move some chip front-end manufacturing to China and establish a complete Chinese supply chain.
December 5
- Over 200B Investment in 5 New SiC Projects
➀ Five new SiC-related projects have been announced with an investment exceeding 200 billion yuan;
➁ Tarq Semiconductors and HCL's Vama Sundari Investments are investing 27.65 billion yuan in two semiconductor manufacturing factories in Yeadon, India;
➂ Shanghai Fuanyuan Technology Co., Ltd. is investing 115 million yuan in a SiC module packaging equipment R&D and production project;
➃ Huaxin邦 is investing in a SiC chip advanced packaging process line in Haikou, Hainan Province;
➄ Powerex has received 2 million yuan in subsidies from the U.S. Chips and Science Act to expand SiC module production lines;
➅ Heraeus has opened a ceramic substrate factory in Changshu, Jiangsu Province.
- China Takes a Historic Step Against U.S. Chip Imports!
➀ The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has implemented stricter export controls on dual-use items to the U.S., including a ban on the export of certain semiconductor materials such as gallium, germanium, antimony, and ultra-hard materials;
➁ Chinese industry associations have criticized the U.S. for using national security as a pretext for arbitrary export restrictions and have called for domestic companies to seek alternative chip sources;
➂ This action follows the U.S. government's recent tightening of export controls on Chinese semiconductor companies, which has further restricted the export of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and memory chips to China;
➃ China has responded with criticism, labeling the U.S. actions as economic coercion and unilateral bullying.