Definition: Chips, i.e. integrated circuits (ICs), are microelectronic devices that integrate a large number of microelectronic components (such as transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc.) on micro semiconductor chips. They can be called the "brain" of modern electronic devices and are responsible for information processing and storage. In the book, Chris Miller emphasizes that chips, as the cornerstone of modern technology, have a profound impact on the global industrial structure. From consumer electronics to high-end national defense, chips are everywhere, and their importance is self-evident.

Working principle: Based on the characteristics of semiconductor materials, information is processed and stored by controlling the flow of current in components such as transistors. In a digital circuit, the transistor conduction and off states correspond to the binary "0" and "1" respectively, and data calculation, storage and transmission are realized through state combination and control. Miller pointed out that this basic principle seems simple, but supports a complex modern technology system and is the root cause of countries' competition for dominance in the chip industry.

Classified by function

Classified by manufacturing process

The invention of transistors: In 1947, scientists from Bell Laboratory invented transistors, which was an important milestone in the development of chips. The transistors are small in size, low in power consumption and high reliability, and gradually replace electronic tubes, laying the foundation for the development of integrated circuits. Miller emphasized that the invention of transistors has opened the door to miniaturization and high performance of electronic devices, which is a key step in the rise of the chip industry and has triggered a global wave of technological research and development.

The birth of integrated circuits: In 1958, Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments and Robert Noyce of Fairchild Semiconductor respectively invented integrated circuits independently, integrating multiple transistors and other components on a semiconductor chip to achieve miniaturization and high performance of electronic devices, opening a new era in the chip industry. Miller pointed out that the birth of integrated circuits is a revolutionary event in the development of the chip industry, which has prompted electronic devices to move from large-scale to miniaturization, and has promoted changes in the computer, communication and other industries.

Advances in chip manufacturing processes: manufacturing processes such as lithography and etching technology are constantly improving, and the chip integration is greatly improved. From the early 10-micron process to the 1-micron process, the number of integrated transistors on the chip has increased exponentially, and the chip performance has been significantly improved. Miller believes that the progress of manufacturing process during this period was the core driving force for the rapid development of the chip industry. Countries compete fiercely in process research and development, which promoted the initial formation of the global division of labor in the chip industry.

The rise of personal computers and the Internet promotes chip demand: the popularity of personal computers and the rise of the Internet have put forward higher requirements on chip computing power and storage capacity. Intel launched x86 architecture processors, becoming the mainstream CPU of personal computers, and promoting the rapid development of the chip industry. At the same time, the demand for chips in network communication equipment has increased, promoting the development of communication chips. The book mentions that the popularity of personal computers and the Internet has enabled chips to move from professional fields to mass consumer markets, and market demand has exploded, accelerating the development of the chip industry.

The global division of labor system for the chip industry is formed: chip design, manufacturing, packaging and testing are gradually separated, forming a global division of labor system. The United States is leading in the field of chip design, with well-known companies such as Intel and Nvidia; TSMC and Samsung are leading in chip manufacturing; Taiwan, China and mainland China are in strong competitiveness in chip packaging and testing. Miller elaborated on the process of forming a global division of labor system, pointing out that countries participate in division of labor based on their own advantages, and at the same time, they also created a complex geopolitical game due to division of labor.

Drive chip innovation in emerging application fields: emerging application fields such as smartphones, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and big data are developing rapidly, and diversified demands for chip performance, power consumption, and functions are put forward to promote diversified innovation in the chip industry. For example, smartphones have high requirements for chip integration, graphics processing capabilities, and power consumption management, which has prompted chip companies to develop new architectures and processes; the field of artificial intelligence has strong demand for dedicated chips with powerful computing power, which has promoted the development of artificial intelligence chips. Miller emphasized that emerging application fields have become new engines for innovation in the chip industry, and countries have invested hugely in the research and development of emerging application chips and have fierce competition.

USA

China

South Korea

Intel: a world-renowned chip company, leading the field of microprocessors for a long time. With its strong technical R&D capabilities and extensive market share, Intel x86 architecture processors have a very high market share in personal computers and servers. However, in recent years, as competitors develop rapidly in chip manufacturing processes and emerging applications, Intel lags behind companies such as TSMC and Samsung in advanced process processes, and faces huge competitive pressure. Miller conducted an in-depth analysis of Intel's development history and pointed out that Intel faces challenges in the period of technological transformation. How to make breakthroughs in emerging application fields and advanced process technologies is the key to maintaining its competitiveness.

TSMC: The world's largest chip foundry manufacturer, focusing on chip manufacturing. Leading the world in advanced process technology, it is the first to achieve mass production of advanced process technology such as 5nm and 3nm, and provides manufacturing services to many chip design companies such as Apple, Huawei, and Nvidia. Strong manufacturing capabilities and high-quality services have made it occupy an important share in the global chip manufacturing market and have a significant impact on the development of the global chip industry. The book emphasizes that TSMC's leading position in the field of chip manufacturing not only changed the global chip industry structure, but also further separated the chip design and manufacturing links, promoting the deepening of the global division of labor in the chip industry.

Nvidia: It has absolute advantages in the field of graphics processors (GPUs), and GPU products are widely used in games, artificial intelligence, scientific computing and other fields. With the development of artificial intelligence technology, Nvidia has become an important participant in the field of artificial intelligence with its powerful GPU computing power, providing powerful computing support for artificial intelligence algorithm training and application. Through continuous technological innovation and product upgrades, Nvidia maintains its leading position in the GPU market and expands into fields such as autonomous driving chips. Miller analyzed that Nvidia seized the opportunity of artificial intelligence development and achieved business expansion through technological innovation, becoming a model of innovative development of the global chip industry. Its development model is of reference significance for other chip companies.

Promote innovation and upgrading of the science and technology industry: The chip war has prompted countries to increase investment in chip technology research and development, and promote innovations in chip manufacturing processes, chip architectures, chip design, etc. These innovative achievements are not only applied to the chip industry itself, but also drive the upgrading and development of the entire technology industry. For example, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, 5G communication and other fields will benefit from the advancement of chip technology and achieve performance improvement and application expansion. Miller pointed out that the competitive pressure brought by the chip war has become a catalyst for innovation in the technology industry, and the breakthroughs in chip technology research and development by various countries will push the global technology industry into a new period of rapid development.

Reshaping the global science and technology industry structure: Chip war may lead to changes in the global science and technology industry structure. As competition in various countries in the chip industry intensifies, some emerging countries and regions may make breakthroughs in the chip field and break the original industrial structure. For example, China's rapid development in the chip industry is expected to occupy a more important position in the global technology industry and change the competitive trend of the global chip industry. The book analyzes the possibility of emerging countries and regions rising in the chip industry, pointing out that the chip war will reshape the global science and technology industry map, and countries need to re-examine their status and development strategies in the global science and technology industry.

Chip supply risks: Chip wars may lead to interruption or instability in chip supply, which will have a serious impact on countries and enterprises that rely on chip imports. For example, during the Sino-US trade friction, the United States imposed a chip ban on Chinese companies such as Huawei, restricting Huawei's chip supply, which brought huge challenges to Huawei's business development. For some countries' critical infrastructure, such as communications, energy, finance, etc., chip supply issues may affect national economic security and social stability. Miller elaborated on the impact mechanism of chip supply risks on national economic security in detail, pointing out that countries need to build a diversified chip supply system to reduce supply risks and ensure national economic security.

Technology blockade and independent innovation pressure: In the chip war, some countries may impose technology blockade on other countries, restricting chip technology exports and exchanges. This brings huge difficulties to the development of the chip industry in restricted countries, forcing these countries to increase their independent innovation efforts and improve the independent and controllable capabilities of chip technology. However, chip technology research and development is difficult, high investment and long cycle, and it faces many challenges in achieving independent innovation. The book analyzes the paths and challenges of independent innovation in various countries under the background of technological blockade, and emphasizes that independent innovation is the only way to enhance the competitiveness of the national chip industry and ensure national economic security.

Development of emerging technologies such as quantum chips: In order to gain advantages in the chip war, countries have increased their investment in the research and development of emerging chip technologies, and quantum chips have become a research hotspot. Quantum chips use the principles of quantum mechanics to process information, with faster computing speed and stronger computing power, which is expected to trigger a revolution in the field of computing in the future. In addition, emerging technologies such as carbon-based chips and neuromorphic chips are also constantly exploring and developing, which may bring new breakthroughs to the future chip industry. Miller analyzed the development trends of emerging chip technology and pointed out that emerging chip technology will bring unlimited possibilities to future technological development, and the competition among countries in the research and development of emerging technologies will determine the future development direction of the global chip industry and technology industry.

International cooperation and competition coexist: Although chip wars are fierce, international cooperation is still necessary in some areas. The chip industry has a high degree of globalization and involves enterprises and scientific research institutions from many countries and regions. In the fields of basic research and common technologies, international cooperation can integrate resources and accelerate technological innovation. At the same time, the competition among countries in the chip industry will also encourage enterprises to continuously improve their competitiveness and promote the sustainable development of the chip industry. The book emphasizes that in the context of chip war, all countries should correctly handle competition and cooperative relations, improve technological innovation capabilities through international cooperation, and achieve high-quality development of the chip industry in competition.