390: Chapter 390 Mastering Radio Frequency

But after Shen Fei finished posting on Weibo and set his phone aside, there wasn't a hint of a smile on his face.

In the office, Vice President Liu Fang sat opposite him, holding a document just compiled by the supply chain department.

This was a comprehensive assessment report on their supply chain, with every page packed with dense data and risk ratings.

This was the time Transsion had taken sanctions the most seriously.

"Boss, this time it's a bit different."

Liu Fang was also a bit flustered: "The United States is joining forces with Japan and the Netherlands to restrict the export of all semiconductor raw materials to our country. Japan's JSR and Shin-Etsu Chemical monopolize 80% of the global photoresist market. Specialty gases, high-purity targets, photomask substrates, polishing fluids, cleaning fluids... The domestic semiconductor industry is heavily dependent on imports for all these materials."

Shen Fei looked over the material. Transsion could produce most of what was listed, but unfortunately...

"This time, the United States' target isn't just one industry; it's the entire semiconductor sector in China. The United States knows we can survive, but what about other Chinese companies? Huaxin International and some other semiconductor companies—if these businesses can't get raw materials, their production lines will have to stop. Transsion can survive on its own, but you can't just ignore them... So, their goal this time is to cause trouble for us, even if it means those companies make less money."

Sitting in his chair, Shen Fei understood the layout of the United States' policy. If Transsion has the capability to solve its supply chain issues, then it truly has the capability...

If I can't hit you, I'll target everyone else!

"They are using moral grandstanding to pressure us."

"Yes." Liu Fang nodded, then shook her head again. "I have to say, this tactic is very effective. Rumors are already circulating in the industry that Transsion only cares about itself and doesn't care whether other Chinese companies live or die. They say Transsion has domestic replacement solutions but refuses to share them."

Shen Fei smiled again, but this smile was cold.

"Moral kidnapping. The United States hasn't even made a move yet, and we're already turning on each other."

Liu Fang didn't say anything. After all, this was one of the disadvantages of being a populous nation—with so many people, you get all kinds...

The materials Li Qing had given her had already been filtered; some bloggers who were paid to post had been removed, but the overall sentiment remained...

But why should they give away the technology they invested in and developed themselves for free? Why is it that people are willing to pay for foreign technology, but expect domestic technology to be used for free!

"Call Li Qing over."

About 10 minutes later, Li Qing pushed the door open and walked in. As the United States began its little maneuvers, she, as the Minister of Propaganda, had also started investigating the situation of other companies.

"By the way, Liu Fang, how long have those idiots been stockpiling the items on the order?"

"According to our investigation, Japan's JSR has already received notice from the United States that all exports to China are prohibited, or they will face massive penalties. As for the specific situation, it's not very clear yet; they have never done anything like this before, so..."

Before Shen Fei finished speaking, Li Qing understood what he meant. It meant that these idiots had no stock at all and could only produce for a month or so at most.

However, this could also be considered good news. After all, based on the results of the previous few battles, as long as the methods were tough enough, the United States would kneel very quickly.

As for opening up China Star's technology, it wasn't that Shen Fei looked down on these other domestic manufacturers, but their self-developed technology was at a minimum of 28nm. They wouldn't even be able to use the photoresist, and they likely wouldn't be purchasing specialty gases or equipment like that anyway.

"Forget it. Instead of giving them some inventory, it's better if we trade blows with the United States properly first."

"Boss, you mean...!"

A glint flashed in Li Qing's eyes. Was a satisfying battle about to unfold?

"Don't worry, they won't succeed this time!"

After the two left, Shen Fei looked at the supply chain risk list compiled by Liu Fang and opened the system space once again...

Unfortunately, no special discounted items refreshed this time. The superconductivity technology that had appeared once before never showed up again, even though he had now accumulated 80,000 Industrial Innovation Points, he never saw superconductivity technology again.

However, his goal this time wasn't superconductivity. He hurriedly typed four words into the search bar: RF Front-End.

The RF front-end is the collective term for the radio frequency circuits between the antenna and the baseband. It is a technology that creates a significant bottleneck; currently, most domestic equipment relies on foreign imports, and even Transsion was being throttled by this.

This problem hadn't been solved before, but this time, it would finally be resolved.

Soon, the search results popped up, totaling dozens of items. He looked through them slowly: power amplifiers, filters, duplexers, antenna switches, low-noise amplifiers.

Each item was marked with its applicable frequency band and manufacturing process. 2G, 3G, 4G full-band, supporting carrier aggregation...

The schemes were complex, but fortunately, there was a bundled solution below: a full RF front-end solution. It included everything mentioned above and simultaneously supported 5G pre-research. The price was also very sincere—it only cost 30,000 points!

It was only 10,000 more expensive than the 10% off superconductivity technology Shen Fei had refreshed earlier. He could feel his heart bleeding; he had conquered market share in so many countries just to get this small amount of Industrial Innovation Points.

However, Shen Fei didn't hesitate at all and clicked confirm. After all, this was the key technology.

A flash of white light passed, and a massive amount of information flooded Shen Fei's mind. At the same time, a USB drive appeared in his hand.

Shen Fei took a quick look at the technology in his mind. He even saw the piezoelectric material formula for the filters—that was core technology that US enterprises had monopolized for 10 years.

After exiting the system space, he picked up the internal phone on his desk: "Have Director Zhao from the Mobile RF Integration Department come to my office. We have a new project."

The person on the other end didn't ask what the project was; after all, they could guess... As for where the technology came from? They probably assumed Director Huang had acquired a few companies somewhere that happened to have some accumulation in this area.

As for photoresist, theoretically, its formula is very complex, containing resins, photosensitizers, solvents, and additives; the ratio of every single component needs to be precise to one-thousandth. The production process is even more complex, from synthesis to purification, from coating to curing—every step requires precise control of temperature and humidity. The photoresist produced by other domestic companies wasn't up to par, but other companies had nothing to do with Transsion. All of Transsion's technology was self-produced; they only produced some low-end photoresist to support those few companies...

His Industrial Innovation Points still had their uses, so there was no need to waste them on this. Fortunately, the authorities were taking action too. Since they were exporting photoresist, China would continue to walk the two paths of agriculture and high technology, which infuriated quite a few people in the United States, who started cursing again...

US Department of Commerce Conference Room: "Soybeans again, and now Apple... Do they have any other tricks?" "These rabbits have really found a way to squeeze us!" "But boss, this tactic is very effective; the agricultural states are starting to protest again..."