Discussion on CPU and chiplet Technology

CPU And chiplet Technical talks
a central processor （central processing unit, abbreviation CPU） As the computing and control core of computer system , It's information processing 、 The final execution unit of the program .CPU Since birth , In the logical structure 、 Great progress has been made in operating efficiency and functional extension .
CPU Appeared in the era of large scale integrated circuits , The iterative update of processor architecture design and the continuous improvement of integrated circuit technology have promoted its continuous development and improvement . From being used exclusively in mathematical calculation to being widely used in general calculation , from 4 A to 8 position 、16 position 、32 Bit processor , The last to 64 Bit processor , From the incompatibility of different vendors to the emergence of different instruction set architecture specifications ,CPU It has been developing rapidly since its birth .
a central processor （CPU）, It's one of the main devices of the computer , Core accessories in computers . Its function is mainly to interpret computer instructions and process data in computer software .CPU Is responsible for reading instructions in the computer , The core component that decodes and executes instructions . The central processing unit mainly consists of two parts , I.e. controller 、 Arithmetic unit , It also includes the cache and the data that connects them 、 Control bus . The three core components of an electronic computer are CPU、 Internal memory 、 Input / Output devices . The main function of CPU is to process instructions 、 Perform the operation 、 Control time 、 Processing data .
Links to references
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Zd9oxE3rqq2mggglwO2Sug
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/VHZcebt_Yi_ROjJG5FCkgg

Performance metrics
about CPU for , The main indicators that affect its performance are the dominant frequency 、 CPU Number of digits 、CPU Cache instruction set 、CPU Number of cores and IPC（ Number of instructions per cycle ）. So-called CPU The main frequency of , It refers to the clock frequency , It directly determines CPU Performance of , It can be improved by overclocking CPU Main frequency to get higher performance . and CPU The number of bits refers to the number of floating-point numbers that the processor can calculate at one time , Usually ,CPU The higher the number of digits ,CPU The faster the calculation will become .21 century 20 After the s, personal computers were used CPU Generally are 64 position , This is because 64 Bit processors can handle a larger range of data and natively support higher memory addressing capacity , It improves people's work efficiency . and CPU The cache instruction set of is stored in CPU Inside , It mainly refers to being able to CPU Hardware program for operation guidance and optimization . In general ,CPU The cache of can be divided into one level cache 、 Second level cache and third level cache , Cache performance directly affects CPU Processing performance . Some special functions CPU It may be equipped with a fourth level cache .
domestic CPU Leading listing , Opening up 60%

The core technical personnel are all from the Chinese Academy of Sciences , The total market value 358 One hundred million yuan .
domestic CPU The design manufacturer, Godson Zhongke, paid the issuing price 60.06 element / Shares landed on the scientific innovation board . The opening price of Godson Zhongke is 96.28 element / stocks , gains 60.31%. After opening , Godson Zhongke's share price has declined . As of the end of the core , Godson Zhongke shares 89.33 element / stocks , gains 48.73%, The total market value 358 One hundred million yuan .

Godson Zhongke originated from the Institute of computing, Chinese Academy of Sciences 2001 Year begins “ Godson ” project , Founded on 2008 year , And in 2010 The market-oriented operation began in .“ Godson ” It is one of the earliest general-purpose processor series developed in China , The knowledge innovation project of the Academy of Sciences 、863 plan 、973 plan 、 Natural Science Foundation 、 Support for major projects such as nuclear high-tech projects . The prospectus says , Godson Zhongke's products are mainly aimed at industrial control and information chips , Applied in key information infrastructure areas , It is gradually expanding to the commercial market . at present , Godson Zhongke has basically completed the technology “ Make up a missed lesson ”, Autonomous instruction set LoongArch, Its general-purpose processor performance has approached the level of mainstream products in the commercial market , And the operating system tends to be mature and stable . During the reporting period , The revenue of Godson Zhongke has achieved rapid growth ,2019 year -2021 The annual revenue is 4.86 One hundred million yuan 、10.82 Million dollars 12.01 One hundred million yuan . The controlling shareholder of Longxin Zhongke is Tiantong Xinyuan company , The actual controller is the chairman of Longxin Zhongke 、 General manager huweiwu and investment director Jinhong couple . This time IPO, Godson Zhongke plans to raise funds 35.12 One hundred million yuan , Will be used separately for “ R & D and industrialization of advanced process chips ”、“ High performance general purpose graphics processor chip and system development ” and “ Replenish working capital ”3 A project . After the subscription is completed , The total amount raised by Godson Zhongke is 24.62 element , The difference from the expected fund-raising 10 More than one hundred million yuan .

▲ Longxin Zhongke plans to raise funds
This article benefits ： Longxin Zhongke prospectus , You can reply to keywords in the chat bar of Xindong official account 【 Core thing 272】 obtain .
01. The Institute of computing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences started with “ Eliminate the school's pernicious influence ”

Godson Zhongke originated from the Institute of computing, Chinese Academy of Sciences “ Godson ” project . According to the chairman of Longxin Zhongke 、 General manager huweiwu recalled , It was not long before I graduated from my doctor's degree , Full of blood , I think China, as a big country, cannot live without its own CPU, So I began to study by myself CPU. however “ Godson ” The development of the project is not plain sailing . stay “ 15、 ... and ” period , The domestic chip industry has also seen “ Han Xin fakes ” event , Also supported by state funds “ Godson ” Fame is also implicated .2005 year ,“ Godson ” Zhangfuxin 、 Wushaogang 、 Humingchang and others went to Changshu to build an industrialization base , When nobody uses it , Start with the whole machine , For primary and secondary schools in Jiangsu Province 15 Million sets of Godson education computers .2009 year ,“ Godson ” The team began to prepare for the establishment of the enterprise , Few people are interested in . Huweiwu laughed at himself ：“ I'm like don · Quixote , Take a spear and call it dragon core , Want to fight two windmills , One is Intel , One is called Arm.” Finally, the Zhongguancun Management Committee held 20 Many coordination meetings , Let Beijing Industrial Development Investment Company （ Beigong Investment Co., Ltd ） To cast .

▲ Chairman of Longxin Zhongke 、 General manager huweiwu
At that time, the chairman of Beigong investment said frankly at the Institute of computing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences , I know that investment in Godson must be compensated , But if you lose money, you have to invest , Because this is a political task . Beigong Investment Co., Ltd 1 One hundred million yuan , Drive private capital to follow and invest 1 One hundred million yuan , This became the first financing of Longxin Zhongke .2010 year ,“ Godson ” Team transformation and market-oriented operation . Huweiwu mentioned that a researcher like himself started a business from “ negative ” At the beginning , Because I read too many papers and national project Guides , To eliminate “ Academic school ” Liudu . So , Hu Wei laid down several basic principles , One of them is ： Godson team does not evaluate the National Award 、 Do not report to academicians .2009 Years and 2011 year , The Institute of computing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences voted huweiwu to select academicians , He refused , because “ There is no shortage of academicians in China , But it lacks an enterprise like Intel ”.2013 year , Godson Zhongke has managed 、 Market and R & D transformation , Make it clear “ With innovation and development as the theme 、 Industrial development as the main line 、 Take ecological construction as the goal ” The policy of .2015 year , For the first time, the sales revenue of Godson Zhongke exceeded 100 million yuan , For the first time, break even has been achieved . It is reported that ,2016 year , CDH capital led the investment in Longxin Zhongke B Round of funding .2017 Years and 2019 In, Longxin Zhongke completed C、D Round of funding ,C Round of investors include Linzhi Dingfu 、 CDH investment, etc ,D The leading investor in turn is Guoxin Science and technology innovation fund . In market practice , Godson Zhongke finally defined the two market directions of industrial control and informatization . Its industrial control chips are oriented to embedded special equipment 、 Industrial control and terminal, etc ; Information chips are oriented to desktops and servers . so far , Godson Zhongke has launched Godson 1 Series 、 Godson 2 Series and Godson 3 Series No , Godson 1 Number 、 Godson 2 No. is mainly for industrial control applications , Godson 3 No. is mainly for information application .

▲ Godson server CPU The roadmap

02. Average annual growth in revenue 57%2021 Annual net profit exceeds 2 Billion

During the reporting period , As a result of the formation of the core competitiveness of Technology , And the industrial environment continues to improve , Longxin Zhongke is in 2019 year -2021 The revenue increased continuously during the year , The annual compound growth rate is 57.28%.2019 year 、2020 year 、2021 year , The revenue of Longxin Zhongke is 4.86 One hundred million yuan 、10.82 Million dollars 12.01 One hundred million yuan . Its net profit also increased from 2019 Year of 1.92 Billion yuan has gone up to 2021 Year of 2.37 One hundred million yuan ,2020 Its net profit in 7223 Ten thousand yuan .

▲ Longxinzhongke 2019 year -2021 Changes in annual revenue and net profit
2019 year -2021 Year of 3 Mid year , The R & D investment of Godson Zhongke in each year is 7821.39 Ten thousand yuan 、2.08 Million dollars 3.22 One hundred million yuan , The proportion in each year's revenue is 16.11%、19.26% and 26.78% During the reporting period , The main business income of Godson Zhongke can be divided into industrial control chips by products 、 Information chips and solutions . Information chips are the main source of revenue for Godson Zhongke ,2019 year -2021 During the year, the business income accounted for more than 50%.

▲2019 year -2021 Proportion of business revenue of Longxin Zhongke in
03. The self-developed instruction set is compatible with ten technologies x86 With Android apps
at present , The global IT In the industry , Intel and Microsoft formed “Wintel” The ecological system ,Arm And Google Android “AA” The ecological system . Godson Zhongke does not adopt the more mature Intel x86 and Arm framework , But from MIPS Specialized in self-study LoongArch Instruction set . Instruction set is a set of instructions that a processor chip can execute , It is the interface between processor hardware and software application .2011 year , Godson Zhongke values MIPS The open ecosystem of instruction sets , So in 2011 Years and 2017 In, they signed MIPS Technology license contract , Obtained R & D 、 production 、 Sales are based on MIPS License of instruction set .2020 Years ago , Longxinzhongke CPU The product basically adopts MIPS Instruction set , During the reporting period , Godson Zhongke is based on MIPS The revenue of instruction set accounts for about 70%.2020 year , Godson Zhongke has launched its own instruction set LoongArch, No longer use MIPS Develop new CPU product .

Same year , To obtain the MIPS SMIC of the technology license contract sued in the Federal District Court of the Northern District of California, USA MIPS company .MIPS The company and its parent company Wave Computing Enter the judicial procedure of bankruptcy protection .2021 year 2 month , SMIC wants the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center to initiate the cooperation with Godson Zhongke MIPS Arbitration of disputes over technology licensing contracts , The arbitration is currently in progress .

The prospectus emphasizes , Godson Zhongke is committed to building a company independent of “Wintel” and “AA” An autonomous ecosystem , Not only the autonomous instruction set , Also mastered CPU IP All the source code of the core , Have the core competence of operating system and basic software . at present , Godson Zhongke's general processor performance has approached the level of mainstream products in the commercial market . However, this kind of self-study starts from the instruction set , As a result, the previous computer equipment based on Godson Zhongke processor is difficult to be compatible with most graphical applications , Many programs also report errors due to lack of support from many basic components . To solve the problem of software Ecology , Huweiwu summarized what is needed “2+3+3+2”10 Big technology . first “2” yes BIOS And the kernel ; Two “3” There are three compilers GCC、LLVM、GoLong And three virtual machines Java、JavaScript、.NET. Above 8 This technology is compiled by Godson Zhongke Linux The key of the system , the last one “2” There are two binary translators . at present , Godson Zhongke has mastered all 10 Big technology , It is also developing software applications based on Godson processors and instruction sets , Use binary translation technology to compatible part x86 and Arm application . Although Godson Zhongke does not use Windows And Android operating system , But it will be compatible with its software applications . stay 6 month 6 Japanese “2022 year LoongArch Ecological development and Tongming Lake innovation and Application Forum ” On , Longxin Zhongke huweiwu preached ,2022 In, the main contradiction of Godson technology platform turned to application ecology . be based on LoongArch There are three major directions for the development of the software ecology ： One is to provide a basic version of the open source operating system ; The second is to eliminate the barrier of instruction system through efficient binary translation system , Achieve wide compatibility ; Third, form independent programming language and programming framework . During the Forum , Godson Zhongke announced , Will be with the sky wing cloud 、 tencent 、 Wave cloud 、 Dragon lizard community 、 Euler community 、 Tongxin 、 kirin 、 The same side 、 Guoguang 、 Haier and other enterprises build a new generation of server software and hardware platform , Will include instruction set 、 chip 、 The server 、 Software system and server cluster .

▲LoongArch Server industry ecology
In the domestic market , Godson Zhongke mainly faces CETC Shentai 、 Huawei Hisilicon 、 Feiteng information 、 Haiguang information 、 Shanghai Zhaoxin, etc CPU Player competition . However, due to many domestic CPU Players are not listed , There are certain differences in business between Godson Zhongke and comparable companies in the same industry . During the reporting period , Longxin Zhongke's gross profit margin is slightly higher than the average level of comparable companies in the industry .

▲ Comparison of gross profit margin between Godson Zhongke and comparable companies in the same industry
Godson Zhongke in general processor design 、 Systems software 、 Compiler technology and other fields have made 400 More patents , Include 388 Domestic invention patents and 21 Overseas invention patents , It fills the gap of domestic core basic software and hardware . By 2021 end of the year , Godson Zhongke has R & D personnel 539 people , Of the total number of employees 65.57%. Godson Zhongke has core technicians 6 people , All from the Institute of computing, Chinese Academy of Sciences .
04. The Institute of computing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences used to be the packaging service provider for Tongfu wechat, the top five customers
In the prospectus , Except Institute of computing, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Longxinzhongke 2019 year -2021 The top five customers were all represented by alphanumeric codes , The customer name of Godson Zhongke was not disclosed . Institute of computing, Chinese Academy of Sciences 2020 In, it was the fourth largest customer of Longxin Zhongke .2019 year 、2020 year 、2021 year , The proportion of sales amount of the top five customers of Longxin Zhongke in the current operating revenue is 67.92%、70.24%、60.86%, High customer concentration .

▲2021 The top five customers of Longxin Zhongke in
Godson Zhongke adopts Fabless（ No fabs ） Business model , The main procurement items include chip processing 、 Electronic components 、 Outsourced machine boards and cards and outsourced processing services . Most of its suppliers also use alphanumeric codes , It is only revealed that Tongfu micro electricity 、 Zhongda Jingdian and Zhongbang automation 3 Home supplier , These three companies were among the top five suppliers of Godson Zhongke during the reporting period , Among them, Tongfu microelectronics provides chip processing services for Godson Zhongke , Zhongda Jingdian and Zhongbang automatic control provide purchased complete machine board services for Godson Zhongke .

▲2021 The top five suppliers of Godson Zhongke in
05. Huweiwu and his wife are actual controllers
The controlling shareholder of Longxin Zhongke is Tiantong Xinyuan , The company owns Godson Zhongke 23.98% Shares of . The actual controllers of Longxin Zhongke are huweiwu and Jin Hong . Hu Weiwu 1991 He received a bachelor's degree from the University of science and technology of China ,1996 In, he received a doctor's degree from the Institute of computing technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences .1996 year -2021 year 1 month , Huweiwu works at the Institute of computing, Chinese Academy of Sciences , He has been an assistant researcher 、 Associate Research Fellow 、 researcher 、 Doctoral supervisor 、 Assistant director 、 Deputy chief engineer 、 Chief engineer, etc .2009 year 8 month , Huweiwu is the vice chairman of Longxin Zhongke 、 The general manager ;2019 year 11 From January to now, he is the chairman of Longxin Zhongke 、 The general manager . Jin Hong was the Department Manager of Beijing Vega Grid Technology Co., Ltd 、 Department Manager of Beijing Haidian Zhongke computing technology transfer center ;2008 year 5 Month so far , She has successively served as the Department Manager of Longxin Zhongke 、 Risk control director 、 Investment director .

▲ Longxin Zhongke's equity structure
Besides Tiantong Xinyuan , It accounts for more than... Of the shares of Longxin Zhongke 5% The shareholders of the company also include zhongkesuanyuan 、 Zhongke Baifu 、 Hengqin lihebo and Beigong Investment Co., Ltd , To hold shares respectively 21.52%、14.35%、10.04% and 7.17%.

▲ Share capital of Godson Zhongke
06. Conclusion ： Godson Zhongke's listing helps domestic enterprises CPU Breaking through the software ecosystem is still a short board
Godson Zhongke is made in China CPU A representative chip design enterprise in the field , This time, it plans to raise funds 35 One hundred million yuan , For advanced process chips and general purpose graphics processors , Or help its R & D and technological breakthrough of the next generation Godson processor and graphics processor . In the prospectus , Longxin Zhongke has emphasized its ecological construction for many times , Not only in developing their own software application Ecology , It is also compatible with x86 and Arm Part of the application of . However, this aspect is still the weakness of Godson processor , If Godson Zhongke wants to enter the commercial processor market , There is still a need to support more applications for consumers .
AMD： Advanced sub packaging , Stepping into Chiplet Time
The packaging industry is trying to make small chips （chiplet） The scope of adoption has been extended beyond several chip suppliers , Also for the next generation 3D Lay the foundation for chip design and packaging .
The new microchip standard and the cost analysis tool used to determine the feasibility of a given microchip based design are two new and important parts . Work with other efforts , Their goal is to push the small chip model forward , Although there are still challenges and gaps in this technology .
Using this method , Packaging companies can have modular chips or small chips with different functions and process nodes in the library “ menu ”. then , Chip customers can choose any of these small chips , And assemble them in an advanced package , So as to produce a new 、 Complex chip design , As a system on chip (SoC) substitute .
The small chip model has been adopted by Intel 、AMD and Marvell Wait for the company to prove effective , These companies design their own microchips and interconnects . Now? , Other companies in the industry are exploring small chips , Mainly because expansion has become too difficult and expensive for many people , And the power and performance advantages of migrating to new nodes are shrinking . Advanced packaging provides a cost-effective way to combine chips on different technology nodes , Small chips provide increased interconnection RC Solutions to delays . They also promise to develop complex chips faster , And can be customized for specific markets and applications .
Traditionally , In order to develop complex IC product , The supplier has designed a chip that integrates all functions on the same chip . In every subsequent generation , The number of functions per chip has increased dramatically . In the latest 7nm and 5nm Node , Costs and complexity soared .（ Nodes refer to specific processes and their design rules .）
“ The cost of designing new silicon nodes is rising ,” Google senior technology development engineer Mudasir Ahmad In a recent speech, he said .“ Just to give you a scale , Do it now 5nm The cost and cost of the chip 10nm and 7nm The cost of the chip adds up to almost or almost . It's very expensive .”
Although the traditional method is still an option for new design , But small chips offer customers another solution . But like any new technology ,chiplet Integration is not simple . at present , The design based on small chip is specially used for high-end products , Not everyday design . even so , Building a model based on small chips also requires several parts . Only a few large companies have the required in-house expertise and capabilities , Most of them are proprietary .
This limits the adoption of small chip based methods to a small number of people . But now , The industry is working to make small chip based designs more accessible . These efforts include ：
• ASE、AMD、Arm、 Google 、 Intel 、Meta、 Microsoft 、 qualcomm 、 Samsung and TSMC have formed a new small chip Alliance . The team released a new open die to die interconnect specification , Enables small chips to communicate with each other in the package .
• Open domain specific architecture (ODSA) The sub project is putting the finishing touches on similar technologies .ODSA A new cost analysis tool has just been released , It helps to determine whether a given chip based design is feasible .
• Several packaging companies are developing manufacturing technology , In order to put the design based on small chip into production .
Small chips are challenging ; Usually , To develop designs based on small chips , The first step is to define the product . then , The proposed design based on small chip needs several parts , For example, product architecture 、 Known good chips (KGD) And chip to chip interconnection . It also needs a sound manufacturing strategy .
KGD Is the bare chip or small chip used in the design . Chip to chip interconnection allows small chips to communicate with each other in design . By developing or purchasing these components , Chip customers can develop designs based on small chips , At least on paper .
But the biggest question is whether the design is feasible or cost-effective . This may be a major stumbling block , It prevents chip customers who are unfavorable to risk from considering small chips .
To help customers here ,ODSA Released a cost analysis software tool , This includes developing spreadsheets of all possible components and costs involved in small chip based design .
“ There is no general rule that you should always make small chips , Or you shouldn't do . It all depends on the specific application ,” Google's Mudasir Ahmad say .“ We need a model for each application to provide feedback .[ Use a spreadsheet , Chip customers ]（With the spreadsheet, chip customer） You can use a common framework to enter data into it . Then they can try to see if it makes sense to make small chips for specific applications .”
Cost is not the only factor . Engineers must also consider the challenges of small chips . according to Ahmad That's what I'm saying , Here are some of the challenges ：
• Scrap costs ： If a small chip fails in one or more final designs , The equipment may be scrapped . This increases the cost of scrap .
• test ： In order to minimize waste loss , Design requires more test coverage .
• Yield ： Packaging complexity may affect the overall yield .
• performance ： Moving signals from one chip to another may reduce the performance of the product .
Business model is another challenge . If you have different suppliers offering different parts , And you put them all in one package , So who is responsible for what ？ Who bears the responsibility for failure ？
The following is from “2021 Hot Chips AMD Advanced Packaging”, Download link ：2021 Hot Chips Technology collection of global chip manufacturers （1） and 2021 Hot Chips Technology collection of global chip manufacturers （2）.

Links to references
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Zd9oxE3rqq2mggglwO2Sug
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/VHZcebt_Yi_ROjJG5FCkgg