65: The most advanced process technology

“So we can only rely on those backward equipment for research, and the results are naturally backward.”

Xu Ning muttered to himself, then continued, “Why didn't the two wafer projects in China succeed before? It's because advanced equipment couldn't get in.”

Xiao Jianhao's eyes widened as he listened, and he said in surprise, “Oh my, the United States is so ruthless?”

Then he thought of another question and scratched his head again, “Then how did General Manager Zhang Jianxia do it?”

“That's a good question,” Xu Ning said with a smile, “It starts with his background.”

“He worked at Texas Instruments in the United States, which is a top wafer company! The current boss of TSMC was also his colleague, you can imagine how powerful this company is.”

“Most of his connections come from Texas Instruments and TSMC. It is said that he can even find the latest lithography machine, but the truth of this matter is hard to determine.”

Xiao Jianhao was still a bit confused, “But what does this have to do with the loophole you mentioned?”

Xu Ning revealed a cunning smile, “That's the key.”

“He was born in Taiwan and obtained a United States green card while working at Texas Instruments. Logically, he should be on the United States side.”

“But he is deeply influenced by his father and loves his motherland very much. His name was also given by his father.”

“It's like being in Cao Ying but having your heart in Han, you understand?”

“So the United States can only strictly review him and suspect him, but cannot stop him from establishing a company in the mainland.”

Xiao Jianhao suddenly understood, while Tang Ziwei frowned and thought, “Then how should we contact them? Should we ask for help from above?”

Xu Ning finished the porridge in his bowl, wiped his mouth, and smiled, “That's also a way.”

“I inquired before, and there are still foreigners in their company responsible for review work.”

“Uncle Chao told me that Zhongxing Microelectronics is now a popular enterprise, and the country also attaches great importance to it, telling us to wait patiently, and if there is a chance, they will help us get an introduction.”

“But I don't want to just wait. Since I'm here, I can't go back empty-handed.”

“Oh?”

Tang Ziwei's spirits immediately lifted upon hearing this.

“Little Xu, what are your plans? Tell me quickly!”

“Hehe, don't rush, we still need a stepping stone!”

“Commander Tang, I'll have to trouble you again today to help me get a few wafers of different processes, and also, another computer.”

Tang Ziwei looked at him with some confusion.

“Little Xu, what are you going to do?”

“Hehe, don't ask about that.”

Upon hearing this, Tang Ziwei got angry, stood up, and made a gesture to hit him.

“You kid, doing this again, see if I don't beat you!”

Xu Ning quickly dodged and said with a smile.

“That's it, I'll go back to my room first. Just send the things to my room after you buy them.”

He walked towards the hotel room as he spoke, afraid of being caught by Tang Ziwei if he was a little slower.

Xiao Jianhao had already finished Xu Ning's share of the steamed buns by this time, patted his stomach, and stood up contentedly.

“Then Li Ge, I'll also go back to my room first.”

Although Xiao Jianhao was older than Xu Ning, he was only in his early thirties, much younger than the nearly fifty-year-old Tang Ziwei, so he also called him Li Ge in private.

Tang Ziwei grabbed his shoulder.

“He can run, do you still want to be lazy? Go, go with me to buy wafers.”

“Li Ge, I have to protect Xu Ning.”

“What could happen to him in the hotel? Don't be lazy, follow me.”

Xiao Jianhao suddenly looked distressed, but thinking that all expenses were paid by the other party, he didn't say much and just followed Tang Ziwei out.

...

Resources in Shanghai are abundant. Although wafers are expensive, as basic electronic components, they were quickly procured and delivered to Xu Ning.

After finishing the task, the two consciously left the room. At this moment, only Xu Ning was left in the room.

Looking at the few wafers and the computer on the table, Xu Ning took a deep breath.

He first picked up the one-micron process wafer on the right.

In this era, the most advanced wafer process was only 600 nanometers, which was still a large gap from the 5 nanometers or even 4 nanometers he had seen in his previous life.

His goal was simple, which was to use the simulator to extract the data from these wafers.

See if they can be improved.

If so, then things would be very different.

Although he could not directly obtain the manufacturing information of the lithography machine, the design of the wafer was still an extremely important part of the industrial chain.

Only by designing a better circuit layout can the performance of the wafer be significantly improved.

What he planned to provide to Zhongxing Microelectronics was exactly such an improved mask design drawing.

Although the lithography machine could not be accessed for the time being, this high-performance mask design drawing was already enough to attract General Manager Zhang Jianxia's attention.

[Loading data, the Technology Tree Simulator is about to start]

Then, a virtual interface similar to a mind map appeared before Xu Ning's eyes.

[Enhance computing power]

[Expand storage space]

[Reduce energy consumption]

[Shorten response time]

[Improve stability...]

It worked!

Just as he expected, the simulator successfully captured the required information.

But he was not in a hurry to apply these upgrades immediately, because this was just an old one-micron process wafer.

He had not yet tried to process the most advanced process technology with the simulator.

The reason for being so careful was that he was worried about repeating the problems in the Antonov an-225 transport aircraft project before.

Therefore, he asked Tang Ziwei to help collect some wafers of different process nodes, planning to start with the simplest ones and gradually try them out.

After verifying that the method was effective, Xu Ning picked up an 800-nanometer process wafer.

As soon as he concentrated, the familiar headache followed.

[Loading data, the Technology Tree Simulator is about to start]

“Hiss…”

This time, the data impact was much stronger than before. He pressed his forehead tightly, enduring the pain, until it eased slightly after several minutes.

Although the pain was unbearable, he could still bear it!

As the notification sound of the simulator successfully starting sounded, the intense pain gradually subsided.

Xu Ning leaned against the table, panting heavily, but his heart became more and more excited.

With trembling hands, he reached for a more advanced 600-nanometer process wafer next to him.

This time, he was going to challenge the latest technology.

[Loading data, the Technology Tree Simulator is about to start]

“Ah!”

A huge data stream surged into his brain, almost making him lose consciousness, but this time, his hand tightly grasped the wafer and refused to let go.

It felt like a century had passed, and it also felt like just an instant.

The pain gradually subsided, and the familiar virtual data image reappeared in his mind.

Xu Ning smiled, he knew that this time he had truly succeeded!

He couldn't wait to check the upgrade options for the new wafer. At first glance, they seemed similar to the previous versions, but upon closer inspection, the data for each option had significantly improved.

Wait...

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