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December 21
- Sophgo, a Subsidiary of Bitmain, May Be Added to U.S. Blacklist
➀ Sophgo, a subsidiary of Bitmain, is rumored to be added to the U.S. blacklist due to its chips being used in Huawei's AI processors.
➁ Sophgo denies direct business relationships with Huawei, but TSMC has confirmed its chips are used in Huawei's Ascend 910B and has suspended shipments.
➃ The U.S. Commerce Department has imposed sanctions on Sophgo for activities that violate U.S. national security and foreign policy.
- Alternative to SRAM: The New Choice!
➀ SRAM has been used in high-performance computing architectures as embedded cache for decades, but its bit density expansion has slowed down and is affected by standby power issues.
➁ Spin Orbit Torque (SOT) MRAM offers advantages like low standby power, GHz-level switching speed, negligible leakage, almost infinite endurance, high reliability, and scalability, making it a promising alternative to SRAM.
➂ SOT-MRAM uses magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) as its basic building block, where the magnetic orientation can be vertical or in-plane, affecting the read and write operations.
➃ Recent advancements in SOT-MRAM technology, including improvements by imec, have demonstrated high switching speeds and durability, addressing key challenges in cache applications.
➄ Imec has developed innovative solutions for field-free switching, low dynamic power consumption, and scaling SOT-MRAM devices to the limit, making it a milestone for high-density SRAM applications.
➅ Further optimization of performance and reliability parameters, such as retention rate and write error rate, is being explored to bring SOT-MRAM closer to real-world specifications.
➆ Imec has also presented a novel composite free layer for MTJ, which improves the reliability of SOT-MRAM devices and reduces sensitivity to external magnetic disturbances.
- Alternative to SRAM: The New Choice!
➀ SRAM has been used in high-performance computing architectures as embedded cache for decades, but its bit density expansion has slowed down and is affected by standby power issues.
➁ Spin Orbit Torque (SOT) MRAM offers advantages like low standby power, GHz-level switching speed, negligible leakage, almost infinite endurance, high reliability, and scalability, making it a promising alternative to SRAM.
➂ SOT-MRAM uses magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) as its basic building block, where the magnetic orientation can be vertical or in-plane, affecting the read and write operations.
➃ Recent advancements in SOT-MRAM technology, including improvements by imec, have demonstrated high switching speeds and durability, addressing key challenges in cache applications.
➄ Imec has developed innovative solutions for field-free switching, low dynamic power consumption, and scaling SOT-MRAM devices to the limit, making it a milestone for high-density SRAM applications.
➅ Further optimization of performance and reliability parameters, such as retention rate and write error rate, is being explored to bring SOT-MRAM closer to real-world specifications.
➆ Imec has also presented a novel composite free layer for MTJ, which improves the reliability of SOT-MRAM devices and reduces sensitivity to external magnetic disturbances.
December 20
- SK Hynix Receives 3.3 Billion USD Subsidy!
➀ SK Hynix has been granted a government subsidy of up to 3.3 billion USD by the US Department of Commerce.
➁ The subsidy is intended to help establish an advanced chip packaging factory and AI product development facilities in Indiana.
➂ The factory will also build an assembly line for mass production of next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, which will be equipped in graphics processing units (GPUs) for training AI systems.
- 重磅！华虹集团换帅！
➀ Shanghai government announced the resignation of Zhang Suixin as the Chairman of Hua Hong Group, to be succeeded by Qin Jian, the Chairman of Shanghai Union Investment Co., Ltd.
➁ Zhang Suixin, during his tenure, was committed to driving technological breakthroughs and industrial upgrades in the integrated circuit manufacturing field, expanding the market share of 8-inch and 12-inch wafer manufacturing, and making significant progress in global layout.
➂ Qin Jian, the successor, has extensive management experience and previously served as the Deputy Chairman of Hua Hong Group.
- 重磅！华虹集团换帅！
➀ Shanghai government announced the resignation of Zhang Suixin as the Chairman of Hua Hong Group, to be succeeded by Qin Jian, the Chairman of Shanghai Union Investment Co., Ltd.
➁ Zhang Suixin, during his tenure, was committed to driving technological breakthroughs and industrial upgrades in the integrated circuit manufacturing field, expanding the market share of 8-inch and 12-inch wafer manufacturing, and making significant progress in global layout.
➂ Qin Jian, the successor, has extensive management experience and previously served as the Deputy Chairman of Hua Hong Group.
- Advanced EUV Lithography: Challenges and Innovations in Photoresist and Etching Techniques
➀ The importance of photoresist in semiconductor manufacturing and the necessity for resolution scaling to utilize new architectures and materials.
➁ The discussion on yield challenges, particularly with edge placement error (EPE) and line edge roughness (LER), and the need for improved understanding and tools to mitigate these issues.
➂ The introduction of directed self-assembly (DSA) as a strategy to reduce line/space photoresist correction errors and its application in 18 nm and 21 nm metal pitch.
➃ The need for new photoresists to match node processes at 12 nm pitch and the impact of defect density on EUV chip cost.
➄ The importance of high-throughput experimental methods, chemical analysis of random defects, and 3D length scale detection in process change exploration.
➅ The industry's demand for high quantum yield photoresists, defect formation analysis, and dry development techniques for organic photoresists.
- US Demands Nvidia Investigate How Chips Were Sold to China
➀ The US Commerce Department has requested Nvidia to investigate how its chips entered China over the past year.
➁ Nvidia has asked Supermicro Computer and Dell Technologies to inspect Southeast Asian clients, as their server products use Nvidia's AI chips.
➂ Nvidia emphasizes compliance with export restrictions and denounces any illegal sales.
➃ Some individuals are suspected of copying serial numbers from Supermicro's servers and connecting them to other servers they have access to.
➄ China's State Administration for Market Regulation has launched an investigation against Nvidia for suspected violations of the Anti-Monopoly Law.
➅ Nvidia's acquisition of Mellanox, a network interconnect product company, has raised concerns about potential monopolistic practices.
➆ The US government has imposed restrictions on the export of advanced AI chips to China, including Nvidia's A100 and H100.
➇ In response to US restrictions, China has taken countermeasures, including restricting exports of certain materials to the US.
- This Chinese Boss Rules the Global Semiconductor Critical Metal Market, Yet Remains Little Known
➀ A mysterious Chinese buyer acquired a large amount of rare metals at the 2019 auction of the core assets of the Kunming Non-Ferrous Metals Exchange, which was not widely noticed at the time but became significant later on.
➁ Freiberger, a German company, is facing intense demand from its clients as China tightens the export controls on gallium and germanium, with the company almost entirely dependent on imports from China for its gallium needs.
➂ Zhu Shihui, the founder of Guangdong Xiandao Technology Group, has established a 150-ton annual production base for gallium, the largest single-site gallium production base in the world, in Chongqing Wanzhou.
- This GaN Company Is About to Dissolve
➀ Odyssey, a US GaN company, has entered the liquidation distribution process and will distribute assets to shareholders by December 23, 2023, with each share receiving $0.11 (about RMB 0.8);
➁ Odyssey held a special shareholders' meeting on June 3, 2023, approving a comprehensive liquidation, dissolution, and asset distribution plan, resulting in the redemption and cancellation of all issued capital stocks;
➂ Odyssey had a cash balance of approximately $1.837 million (about RMB 13.37 million) as of December 17, 2023, with most funds allocated to pay the distribution of $0.11 per share, totaling $1.606 million (about RMB 11.69 million);
➃ Odyssey had previously announced the sale of most of its assets to Power Integrations for $9.52 million (about RMB 67 million) in cash, with key employees joining PI's technical department.
- How Domestic 8-Inch SiC Chips Break Through? Five Experts Share Their Views...
➀ The transition from 6-inch to 8-inch SiC wafers is discussed, with experts expressing concerns about the readiness of the SiC industry for this shift.
➁ The importance of cost reduction and maintaining quality is emphasized, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities in the domestic SiC supply chain.
➂ The need for industry collaboration and the role of research institutions in advancing 8-inch SiC technology are highlighted.
- Will ASIC Replace GPU?
➀ The rise of ASICs in the capital market is challenging the dominance of GPUs in AI computing;
➁ ASICs and GPUs are both semiconductor chips used for computing, with ASICs being dedicated to specific tasks;
➂ The performance and efficiency of ASICs are highly matched to the task algorithms, making them more reliable and energy-efficient than general-purpose chips like GPUs;
➃ NVIDIA's GPUs have a strong market position due to their performance, ecosystem, and integration capabilities, but the rise of ASICs presents opportunities for diversification in AI computing.
- A Nearly 100 Billion Yuan Investment Loss: The Most Disastrous Listing of the Year
➀ Kioxia, a renowned NAND flash giant, has determined its IPO price and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on December 18th, with an IPO price of 1455 yen per share and a company valuation of 7840 billion yen.
➁ Kioxia, originally a semiconductor storage division of Toshiba, was forced to be split and sold in 2018 due to debt. The transaction sparked fierce competition, and a consortium led by Bain Capital outbid a group led by Western Digital at the last moment with a bid of 182 billion US dollars.
➂ However, it now appears that Kioxia will become one of the most painful failures in private equity in Japan. The acquisition price in 2018 was 2 trillion yen, and the valuation at the time of listing has shrunk by 61%.
December 16
- How Domestic Chip Design Startups Can Break Through
➀ Signs indicate that there are only two years left for domestic chip design startups;
➁ Industry reshuffling starts with company layoffs, which is a prelude to restructuring;
➂ After two years, the market will be clearer for chip startups, and the peak of chip entrepreneurship will end.
- China's Domestic Giant Silicon Wafer Leader's IPO Application Accepted, Seeking to Raise 4.9 Billion Yuan
➀ Xi'an Yishuiwei Materials, a leading domestic silicon wafer manufacturer, has had its IPO application accepted on the Science and Technology Innovation Board.
➁ The company is the largest 12-inch silicon wafer manufacturer in mainland China, with a global market share of about 7% in terms of production capacity and 4% in monthly shipments.
➂ Established in 2016, Xi'an Yishuiwei has become a strategic supplier to major global silicon wafer suppliers, providing silicon wafers to most of the domestic leading logic wafer fabs.
- Memory Giant Concerns: The Ominous State of the Storage Industry
➀ Micron, a major US memory company, is set to release its financial report, as concerns about oversupply in the memory market, especially traditional products, are increasing.
➁ Despite a 'profit surprise' with $7.75 billion in sales between June and August, Micron expects sales to continue growing this quarter, driven by high-value products like HBM.
➂ The semiconductor industry is facing uncertainty due to weak demand for general-purpose storage beyond AI and the aggressive expansion of production by Chinese latercomers.
- AI Chip - ASIC Moment: Who is China's Broadcom?
➀ China currently lacks a company that can fully match Broadcom in the AI chip ASIC field;
➁ Broadcom, as a global leader in semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions, has made significant achievements in AI;
➂ Baidu, Apple, and AMD have grown through self-developed technology, while Broadcom has focused on acquisition to become a tech giant.
- Bloomberg's Trillion Dollar Valuation to AI ASIC Core Logic: A Detailed 9000-Word Analysis!
➀ Broadcom's stock surged 24.43% on the last trading day of the US stock market, reaching a market capitalization of 1.05 trillion US dollars;
➁ Broadcom's success is attributed to its aggressive acquisition strategy and cost control under CEO Hock Tan;
➂ Broadcom's focus on AI ASIC and its potential to disrupt the GPU market through custom chips and network technologies.
December 15
- The Rise of Cambrian Era to the pedestal
➀ Cambrian Era's stock has surged, with its market value reaching over 240 billion yuan, and its stock price has increased by nearly 340% this year.
➁ The reason behind Cambrian Era's strong stock performance includes its inclusion in the Shanghai Stock Exchange 50 Index, which requires funds tracking the index to buy Cambrian Era's shares passively.
➂ Despite the high valuation, Cambrian Era has never made a profit in its 7-year history, raising concerns about its sustainability.
- 2nm, The Winner Has Already Been Decided?
➀ The competition in 2nm wafer fabrication has become a clear victory for TSMC, with its advanced technology and strong customer demand.
➁ TSMC has achieved significant milestones in 2nm technology, including successful trial production and high yields.
➂ Apple and AMD are expected to be among the first customers for TSMC's 2nm technology, with Apple's A20 Pro and M5 chips set to be produced on this process.
➃ Intel and NVIDIA are also turning to TSMC for its 2nm technology, with Intel's Nova Lake desktop chips and NVIDIA's Rubin Next platform expected to be produced on TSMC's N2 process.
➄ Samsung faces challenges in 2nm technology, including yield issues and the potential loss of its own customers to TSMC.
➅ Intel's 2nm technology, known as 18A, faces delays and yield challenges, with concerns about its ability to compete with TSMC.
➆ Rapidus, a Japanese semiconductor company, is working on 2nm technology but faces significant challenges in the current market.
➇ The rise of TSMC in 2nm technology raises concerns about pricing power and the potential impact on the semiconductor industry.
- Semiconductor Industry Q3 2024 Earnings Summary: Nvidia, TSMC, Samsung, Broadcom, and More
➀ Nvidia reported a Q3 revenue of $35.062 billion, up 17% YoY and 94% QoQ, with a net profit of $19.309 billion, up 16% YoY and 109% QoQ.
➁ TSMC's Q3 revenue was NT$759.69 billion, up 39% YoY, with a net profit of NT$325.26 billion, up 54.2% YoY.
➂ Samsung Electronics posted a Q3 operating profit of 9.1834 trillion KRW, up 277.37% YoY, with sales and net profit up by 17.35% and 72.84% YoY, respectively.
December 14
- Huaiqin Technology Completes HK$2.85 Billion Acquisition of Yiluoda
➀ Huaiqin Technology has completed the acquisition of 80% shares of Yiluoda Holdings Limited for HK$2.85 billion;
➁ The acquisition aims to enhance the company's competitiveness in the smart hardware field;
➂ Yiluoda Holdings specializes in audio products and has a strong partnership with global audio brands like Apple's Beats.
- Apple's Chip Empire
➀ Apple's journey in self-developing chips, starting from the first iPhone to the A-series chips, and expanding to desktops with M1 chips in 2020.
➁ The challenges Apple faced in developing its own baseband chips, including licensing agreements with Qualcomm and the anticipated launch of its in-house developed Sinope baseband in 2024.
➂ Apple's expansion into射频前端 chips and wireless chips, aiming for end-to-end wireless solutions, and the development of a custom server chip for AI services, with the project code-named 'Baltra'.
December 13
- EUV Photolithography Gel: The Latest Development and Challenges
➀ The evolution of EUV photolithography gel from the 1970s to the present day, including various materials research.
➁ The unique aspects of EUV photolithography, such as short-wavelength manufacturing, special reflective optical systems, and special material systems.
➂ Common types of EUV photolithography gel, including chemical amplification, inorganic, non-chemical amplification, and hybrid gel.
➃ The main challenges in the development of EUV photolithography gel, such as sensitivity, resolution and LER, outgassing, and thermal stability.
- 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.