Reborn Millennium Player

In San Francisco in the West 8th District, it is February 13th.

In Yanjing, East Eighth District, it is already February 14th.

The evening breeze blew into the study. Lu Fei talked on the phone with Gao Yuanyuan and Zeng Li. They talked on the phone for a while, which was considered Valentine's Day.

Then, switch back to working mode.

Guo Xing and Schmidt were already in place in Canada at this time.

"Mr. Lu, regarding 'advanced packaging', Dr. Liang, Professor Hu and their team have already studied TSMC's CoWoS solution."

Guo Xing reported in detail.

TSMC calls the wafer containing the die a silicon interposer.

In the past, the connection between the die relied on traditional wire bonding, but by changing it to a silicon interposer, using micro-bumping, rewiring and other technologies, the interconnection density and data transmission bandwidth can be greatly improved.

"Why didn't TSMC implement the plan?"

Lu Fei stirred the coffee with a spoon.

"First, Jiang Shangyi, who proposed this plan, has retired and is in power, so he has shelved it. Second, although 'advanced packaging' theoretically increases the added value of the packaging and testing process, compared with traditional packaging, the cost gap is just

Ridiculously big.”

“How much does a CoWoS solution cost?”

"9 cents per square millimeter."

"so tall?!"

"Isn't that right? The average packaging and testing factory charges 1 to 2 cents per millimeter, and domestic ones even only cost two or three yuan."

"Why is it so high? Which link is the problem?"

"It's mainly in the silicon interposer. To put it bluntly, it's a silicon wafer. It needs to be wired and connected in the middle, so the cost will naturally go up."

"If we do 'subtraction' for CoWoS, replace the silicon interposer with other materials, and sacrifice the density of connections, can we keep the cost down?" Lu Fei rolled his eyes.

"For technical aspects, you have to ask Professor Hu and Dr. Liang."

Guo Xing asked curiously: "But Mr. Lu, do we need to engage in 'advanced packaging'? The packaging factory has thin profits and cannot make much money. It relies entirely on small profits but quick turnover."

"It is necessary, very necessary!"

Lu Fei spoke firmly.

Just like smartphones, mobile devices have size limitations.

Most of the space must be reserved for the battery. The requirements for the chip are not only performance, but also making it as small as possible and leaving enough space. This also requires continuous breakthroughs in technology and shrinking the manufacturing process.

But because of Moore's Law, process upgrades are becoming less and less cost-effective, and the 14nm to 28nm processes are basically sufficient.

Those that are actually used below 14nm include GPU, CPU, and SoC chips. Most of these chips, such as automobiles, MCUs, Internet of Things, and consumer electronics, use 28nm.

After all, mature technology is more cost-effective.

"Mr. Lu, I understand what you mean."

Guo Xing vaguely guessed the intention, "You want to use 'advanced packaging', such as stacking memory chips directly on SoC, to reduce the chip area. Even without upgrading the process, you can still get performance and cost advantages."

"This is the best solution to reduce the chip area without upgrading the process. It is also the best solution to reduce the chip area when our Duv lithography machine or even Euv lithography machine is stuck."

"Mr. Lu, if you think so, even Dr. Liang and Professor Hu will have no objections to the safekeeping. They will definitely support the development of advanced packaging."

"Advanced processes and advanced packaging, both must be grasped, and both must be strong." Lu Fei chatted for a while about Fuxin's next work arrangements, and then came the acquisition of Nortel Networks.

"Regarding acquisitions, we also made two sets of backup plans for failure, but I don't think this is necessary at all."

Guo Xing said excitedly that they had a first-mover advantage in this auction!

On the basis of the agreed-upon US$4.5 billion, an additional budget of US$25 million can be added, because according to the "False Horse Auction" agreement, if the sale price exceeds US$1 billion, Nortel Networks will give Google and a consortium headed by Logic

some compensation.

Beautifully said: breakup fee.

This compensation can be overdrawn in advance at the auction.

In other words, the maximum offer that the entire consortium can offer is not US$4.5 billion, but US$4.525 billion.

"Whether it's US$25 million or US$50 million, if you don't win Nortel Networks, it's a failure!"

Lu Fei has only one intention, only success!

at all costs!

"But if it exceeds the number agreed upon by the mobilization meeting..."

Guo Xing opened his mouth.

"This part will be taken care of by the Three-Body Problem and the Black Stone."

Lu Fei slapped the table, "In short, I just want to say, I don't want to hear any purchase price, I just want Nortel Network!"

…………

The next day, the Nortel Networks auction was held as scheduled.

Not only the local media, but also the media from all over the United States were out in force, and the auction site was already packed with water.

What follows is a bloody storm.

A group of top technology companies from around the world will surely win a bloody battle.

In particular, groups headed by Apple and Ericsson are mortal enemies of each other, as are groups headed by Logic, Google, and Microsoft.

"Recently, there have been more and more patent lawsuits against Android phone manufacturers, and Apple has already initiated lawsuits against HTC and Samsung."

"Google and Logic hope to acquire the patents of Nortel Networks this time to strengthen the defense line of the Android Alliance. Analysts say that major companies such as Nokia and Apple will stop at any cost to prevent the consortium headed by Logic and Google from obtaining patents."

"Next, let's wait and see."

The host standing at the scene faced the camera and broadcast skillfully.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the crowd.

Representatives from Nokia, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Logic, etc. who participated in the auction climbed up the stairs and walked into the venue.

The camera moved and captured this scene.

Immediately afterwards, the door was closed tightly.

Security personnel and police stood in front of the crowd to guard against the crowd.

"Mr. Lu, it's begun."

After Guo Xing finished sending the text message, he looked around.

In addition to the well-known consortiums led by Intel, Samsung, BlackBerry, Nokia, Apple, and Ericsson, there are also more than a dozen companies specializing in patent trading, all of which are eyeing it.

The starting price is Google, which is logically set at US$1 billion.

The minimum quotation for each bid cannot be less than US$10 million.

At the beginning, temptation is the main focus.

They were all clamoring for US$10 million after US$10 million. The consortium headed by Apple was silent for a while. The first offer was US$1.1 billion, which was considered the first shot in the official war.

No need to wait for Guo Xing and Schmidt to raise their bids, Nokia, Intel, BlackBerry, and Samsung all made higher offers one by one.

As the auction continued, the bidding prices soared.

It has risen to US$1.6 billion!

The auction lasted for four days in total, but on the first day alone, eight companies couldn't bear it and left early.

Compared with Nortel Networks, Samsung cares more about Hynix and cannot bear to spend two to three billion US dollars. Similarly, BlackBerry is not willing to withdraw from the competition. The more it thinks about it, the more angry it becomes.

So I came up with a strategy: looking for partners.

Qia Qia hit it off with Cook, but after failing to instigate rebellion against Microsoft, he turned around and extended an olive branch.

He is wooing both BlackBerry and Samsung, constantly adding fuel to the hatred between Lu Fei and Lee Jae-yong.

However, the two did have a deep hatred, but due to the conflict of interests between the Android camp and the Apple camp, Lee Jae-yong had to put aside his personal grudges, turned a blind eye, and deliberately allowed Li Fuzhen to tip off Lu Fei——

BlackBerry, this thick-eyed guy, has turned to Apple!

After Lu Fei received the news, he immediately contacted the CEO of BlackBerry and asked if he wanted to be an ally!

Do you still want to stay in the Android Open Alliance?

He doesn't say much, and directly threatens that if BlackBerry dares to join the consortium led by Apple, it will be regarded as automatically withdrawing from the Android Open Alliance, and the Android system will no longer be free and open source for BlackBerry.

After all, loyalty is not absolute, it means absolutely disloyalty!

When hearing about the consequences of withdrawing from the Android Open Alliance, BlackBerry CEO considered that Apple's IOS system was completely closed and could not be authorized for BlackBerry, so he had to weigh the pros and cons.

In desperation, he sadly rejected Cook: "Tim, don't call me again, I'm afraid Huaxia Land will misunderstand!"

"Farke! Farke! Lu, this damn bastard!"

Cook was furious and used a rare expletive.

I originally thought that Steve Jobs was already shameless and overbearing, but I didn’t expect that Mr. Lu was even more domineering than him! Even more shameless!

In an instant, the originally turbulent Android camp calmed down and no longer dared to flirt with Apple.

At one point, Sony was also considering withdrawing from the consortium.

Even Microsoft has given up on the idea of ​​being a kid!

Yu Gong, Logic has too many connections with Microsoft, and recently it has cooperated with Xbox game console chips."

Among private investors and the Three-body Fund who were long in gold, Bill Gates and Ballmer also made a lot of money. Lu Fei even called and invited Ballmer and Bill Gates to form a consortium to buy an NBA ball.

Team play.

Three people, almost wearing a pair of pants.

Logic is Microsoft's half-brother.

The "joint vertical and horizontal" tradition passed down by Chinese ancestors was clearly played by Lu Fei. Cook, who was not familiar with Sun Tzu's Art of War, could only temporarily put aside the idea of ​​​​inciting rebellion and continue to follow logic. Google just faced it.

As the second most powerful entity in the auction, Google fought back and forth with the logic of being the first, and the auction price also increased, rising to US$2.5 billion, which has exceeded the value of Nortel Networks' more than 6,000 patents themselves, and also

It has exceeded the highest valuation of US$2.25 billion, and if it continues to be auctioned, it will mean losing money.

Companies such as Nokia felt it was not worthwhile and withdrew one after another.

Apart from the two companies, which were evenly matched, Intel was the only one left to fight alone. However, it persisted until the third day, when the price was raised to US$3 billion, and it stopped quoting and withdrew from the competition.

But just like BlackBerry, if you don’t want to give in, just let it go!

Logically, the consortium headed by Google, as well as the consortium headed by Apple and Ericsson, all unanimously wooed Intel, fearing that they would join the camp of their mortal enemy and strengthen the opponent's strength.

"Lu, Intel rejected us. Damn it, it went to Apple's camp. Now we are in big trouble!"

That night, Schmidt called urgently.

"The conditions offered by Apple must be quite high."

Lu Fei narrowed his eyes.

"It is said that Cook used future chip purchase orders to bring Intel to Apple's side!" Schmidt gritted his teeth.

Lu Fei smacked his lips: "He has determined that most of the chips in the Android camp are cooperating with Qualcomm and Texas Instruments."

"What should we do now? Today's quotation has reached 4 billion U.S. dollars, and there is still 525 million U.S. dollars left, which is the bottom line we can accept." Schmidt was worried, "If Intel joins Apple, it can get 50 million U.S. dollars.

Billions of dollars."

"I still say the same thing, whether it's 5 billion or 6 billion, in short, acquire Nortel Networks at all costs!"

Lu Fei said it categorically.

"But the current bidding price is already twice that of Nortel Networks' patent. It's not worth it. It's not worth it. I don't want it. Otherwise, if it exceeds 4.6 billion US dollars, we might as well let it go..."

Schmidt's will was wavering and hesitant.

"We must not give up!"

Lu Fei frowned, "Have you forgotten that Apple has sued Samsung, HTC and Motorola? Let Apple win the patent of Nortel Networks again, then will the next target be my logic? Or your Google? Let me tell you, two

No one can run away!"

He raised his voice and said, "Unless we give up Android, Logic will never give up. Eric, does Google want to give up?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Schmidt doesn't dare to give up. Google is entering into mobile and desktop operating systems to lay out the mobile Internet era. Giving up the Android system is tantamount to destroying the Great Wall.

"So we must take down Nortel Networks, otherwise we will be completely passive." Lu Fei emphasized, "I am not being alarmist. Maybe not only Apple will suppress Android, but Nokia and Ericsson will also bully us."

"The problem is, we have prepared a table of rice and two tables of guests have come, how can we eat it?"

Schmidt was talking about Intel, the uninvited guest.

"So what about Intel? How much money are they willing to spend to help Apple? You said it, and they only spent 5 billion US dollars."

"Why don't we stay with him until the end?"

"Don't worry about the extra 500 million or 1 billion. As long as we win Nortel Networks, we will have the initiative in the future of smart operating systems. When Android becomes the system with the largest market share in the world, why worry?

I can’t make back the money!”

Lu Fei said seriously: "But if we cannot win Nortel Networks, it will greatly reduce our initial investment in Android. This loss must be hundreds of millions or more than a billion, right?"

"Lu, what you say is not unreasonable."

Schmidt pondered for a moment and made up his mind to convince Larry Page and Sergey Brin that Google would continue to increase its investment.

"now it's right!"

The corner of Lu Fei's mouth curled up: "We are determined to take Nortel Network, not to mention Apple, even God can't keep it, I said so!"

It’s the fourth day of the auction, which is the last day.

The strength of the Apple camp, which has been joined by Intel, has skyrocketed!

The Nortel Networks patent auction has evolved into a showdown between a consortium led by Apple and Intel, and a consortium led by Logic and Google. Attention and topics have soared.

Media across the United States called it the auction of the century!

The two sides are fighting for it, and each time the price is increased, the price is US$100 million.

Soon, the offer reached $4.5 billion.

The Android camp showed no mercy and was determined to win, and the price they offered was a jaw-dropping US$4.625 billion.

"How much money did Huaxia Lu get from this subprime loan?"

In the Apple office, Cook cursed angrily.

"Yes, Logic has made many big moves this year, including Qimonda, Laika, and recently bought 10% of Motorola's shares."

Apple's CFO is happy.

According to the listing report, Apple currently holds cash flow of up to 54.3 billion U.S. dollars, and Intel holds 36.5 billion U.S. dollars.

In the Android camp, Google has $36.7 billion in cash reserves, and Microsoft has $55.7 billion. Logically, Trisolaris has not been listed on the market. Although its financial and cash status is unknown, it can at least come up with two to three tens of billions of dollars in cash. It is a real competition for financial resources.

——

The Apple camp will definitely lose!

"They over-quoted US$25 million. Either they are approaching the psychological limit of the price, or they think the premium is too much. I tend to have both possibilities. Let's first quote US$4.65 billion and take a look at Huaxia Continental.

end."

Cook thought about it again and again, and decided to micro-manage remotely.

"But what if it exceeds $5.2 billion?"

The CFO said, “Do we still want to follow?”

"Follow! You must follow!"

Cook's eyes showed perseverance, "I promised Steve that I would give this gift after the liver transplant!"

"But with Intel's US$700 million, the most we can offer is US$5.2 billion. If it's any more, the board of directors will definitely not agree. The premium is too much."

The CFO reminds us that this is a subprime mortgage crisis.

"I'll talk to Ericsson, Intel, and Sony and ask them to spend an extra one or two billion dollars."

Cook knows very well that it is impossible to expect Apple to spend another penny, and he can only count on allies.

However, not one can be counted on.

I called them one by one, but they all refused to call me.

After all, Nortel Networks' patents are just the icing on the cake for Ericsson and others, rather than a timely help to Logic.

During this period, the price was no longer quoted at 110 million, nor was it quoted at tens of millions, but at the lowest price of 10 million each time, increasing the price step by step, and finally reaching Apple's limit——

$4.7 billion!

But before Cook ordered the price of US$4.71 billion, the bidding delegation eagerly received bad news——

Sony is turning to logic!

"What did you say!?"

Cook couldn't help being surprised, "Say it again!"

"Sony is ready to join the Android Open Alliance and develop Android smartphones with the support of Logic and Google!"

The representative was anxious and angry. Without Sony, it would be equivalent to a loss of US$600 million. The entire consortium could only offer a maximum of US$4.6 billion. Logic and Google's offer were simply unaffordable.

What's more, if the people's hearts are scattered, it will be difficult to lead the team.

"Huaxia Lu! Huaxia Lu must have done it!"

Cook couldn't help but was startled when he heard the auctioneer's loud voice on the phone, "$4.7 billion, one time."

"$4.7 billion, twice."

"$4.7 billion, three times!"

"Dongdongdong!"

Once the hammer goes off, everything is over!

(ps: Apple spent $4.5 billion to acquire Nortel Networks)