183: Chapter 183 Mass Production Patent Tianzhu

Chu Qianlan remembered that the price of one Power Management Chip used in the qiming phone was 21 yuan.

If they could save 8 yuan per Chip, Starry Sky Technology could save millions in costs every month.

"Can you guarantee the yield rate for the 250nm process?" Chu Qianlan pressed.

In the Chip production process, the most uncertain factor was the tape-out, followed by the yield rate.

Tape-out was very metaphysical and difficult to control, but the yield rate was related to design and production processes and could be foreseen.

Chen Wenzhou was confident: "We have made multiple improvements during simulation testing, and the yield rate should be over 85%. If the qiming phone uses our Chip, we can send samples for tape-out next week and start mass production in October."

Chu Qianlan tapped his fingers on the desk, pondering for a long time before making up his mind: "Then notify President Qu and prepare for mass production! Prioritize supply to the qiming phone and replace the currently purchased Chips."

Xingyuan Exploration started with Lithium Battery Technology, so developing battery management Chips was not considered sensitive. If it were a communication Chip, he certainly wouldn't have agreed to mass production.

A flash of excitement crossed Chen Wenzhou's eyes, and he quickly replied: "Okay, CEO Chu! We will prepare the relevant materials for tape-out immediately to ensure it proceeds on schedule."

Chu Qianlan nodded, his gaze falling back onto the Chip design on the computer screen: "Besides the Power Management Chip, how is the R&D progress of other Chips? Is there any progress on the independent R&D of baseband and processor Chips?"

Mentioning this, a hint of gravity appeared on Chen Wenzhou's face: "The R&D difficulty for baseband and processor Chips is greater than expected, especially for baseband Chips, which involve complex communication protocols and patent barriers. Our team is still in the exploration stage.

So far, only the TD-SCDMA Chip can barely be used. However, we have also accumulated a batch of patents, but due to foreign patent barriers, our patents cannot be applied yet!"

Chu Qianlan pondered: "Take it one step at a time, no need to rush. First, make the Power Management Chip stable and strong to accumulate experience. As for baseband Chips and processors, they will be developed using the Xingxiang Instruction Set in the future. Chip patents developed based on existing Instruction Sets are just weapons to deal with other Chip companies."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wenzhou just sighed. Ever since he learned that the company was developing a new Instruction Set, he knew this would be the outcome.

Fortunately, Chu Qianlan agreed to the mass production of the Power Management Chip, so their team's hard work wasn't wasted.

Chu Qianlan left the Chip laboratory and met Qu Feng, who was hurrying over, in the hallway, clutching a document in his hand.

"CEO Chu, I was just looking for you." Qu Feng handed over the document, "This is the second batch of development budget for EDA Tools submitted by Engineer Zhong Changfeng's team. They want to put the development of circuit simulation software on the agenda."

Chu Qianlan flipped through the document, his gaze pausing on the number "8 million": "Have the finance department prioritize the allocation. Since the schematic design software is stable, start the development of subsequent tools as soon as possible."

He suddenly remembered something, looked up, and asked: "How is the progress of the patent application for the Xingxiang Instruction Set?"

"The core architecture has been submitted, and we have received the 'Patent Acceptance Notice'." Qu Feng opened his notebook, "The 78 derived technical patents are being submitted one after another, and we expect to receive the 'Notice of Passing Preliminary Examination' by the beginning of next year. The Legal Department says that the originality of this Instruction Set is sufficient to support us in building a patent barrier."

Chu Qianlan nodded: "That's good. Once the schematic design software development is complete, have the Legal Department follow up and apply for patents immediately."

Qu Feng nodded in agreement and added: "The Legal Department also reminded us that the patent layout for the Xingxiang Instruction Set must cover major Chip-producing countries, especially regions with high technical barriers like the US and Japan."

Chu Qianlan paused his steps, contemplating slightly: "Tell them to follow the normal order and apply for domestic patents and PCT international patents first. The process for entering other countries can be done a bit later."

Speaking of which, he suddenly thought about the mass production of the Power Management Chip, "By the way, the Power Management Chip is ready to be sent for tape-out. You should discuss the mass production matters with Chen Wenzhou."

Qu Feng was stunned for a moment: "Chip mass production? I will check for manufacturers that can produce Chips later!"

The Dragon Kingdom was blockaded by developed countries, making it difficult to purchase many high-tech devices, and the Lithography Machine for producing Chips was of the utmost importance.

Precisely because of this, there were not many manufacturers in the country that could produce Chips. Fortunately, the Power Management Chip developed by Xingyuan Exploration used a 250nm process, which was not considered advanced. Otherwise, if they wanted to produce it, they would probably have to go to Taiwan to place an order.

Returning to Starry Sky Technology, as soon as Chu Qianlan sat down, Su Yezi brought an urgent document: "CEO Chu, an operator from India has arrived, saying they want to order 50,000 qiming phones. President Ma has already gone to receive them and asked if you would like to go over and take a look!"

Chu Qianlan took the document and scanned it, chuckling: "The Indian market has significant potential, but the business environment there is quite unique. Let President Ma first figure out the other party's background and payment method."

He paused and added: "Tell President Ma that for manufacturers in India, we can only ship the goods after receiving full payment. Also, specify in the contract that we will not be held responsible if they are unable to sell normally due to local policy changes."

Through memories of the future, Chu Qianlan knew the style of doing business in India. He didn't want to sell tens of thousands of phones and only receive a deposit, with no chance of collecting the balance.

...

At 3:00 PM, Ma Yuanlong hurried into the office, his face showing some helplessness: "CEO Chu, that Indian operator is indeed sincere and produced a 20% deposit check on the spot, but they insist on a payment period, saying that local distributors all cooperate this way."

Chu Qianlan shook his head: "No negotiation on payment periods. The deposit can be less, but full payment must be made before shipment. There is no commercial credit in India, and our phones are not hard to sell, so there is no need to take this risk."

Ma Yuanlong sighed: "I told them the same thing, but they wouldn't budge and even said they would go to evaluate other brands."

Chu Qianlan didn't care at all: "At this point in time, our qiming phone has an extremely high price-performance ratio, and there are no competitors."

Ma Yuanlong nodded: "By the way, they also want us to build an assembly plant in India, saying we can enjoy tax incentives."

"Build a plant?" Chu Qianlan sneered: "Just look at their conditions, they will never be implemented, and we won't go to India to build a plant!"

'Make money in India, spend it in India; don't even think about taking a penny home.' This proverb was very popular in the future.

A look of understanding appeared on Ma Yuanlong's face: "I understand, I will reply to them according to your instructions."

Chu Qianlan tapped his fingers on the desk and added: "Don't close the door completely. You can tell them that if they can accept full payment before shipment, we can give a 3% discount on the price as a gesture of sincerity. As for building a plant, just decline politely."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of coldness: "Although the Indian market has huge potential, the risks are also high. We don't need to drag ourselves into a quagmire for short-term gains."