Chapter 523 Bidding for the Aegis Destroyer
Lxiang Group Headquarters.
Liu Zhonglie’s face turned pale: “What’s going on?”
“In this floppy disk, there is a special test program to perform a division test on our Pentium processor. Through the test, we found that there is a one in nine billion chance of an arithmetic error.” Yang Qingfeng’s face was also extremely ugly.
"How is it possible? How could there be an error in Intel's processor?" Liu Zhonglie almost shouted: "There must be a problem with this program, it must be like this!"
"Yes, at first we thought there was something wrong with this program, so our technicians designed the same program for testing." Yang Qingfeng reluctantly told the test results: "With our program, it also works. Similar problems have occurred, which shows that Intel's processors do have this problem. There is a problem with the design of its FPU unit."
"The United States has the most advanced technology, how could they make such a mistake? Damn it!" Liu Zhonglie's face was extremely ugly, and he could already predict what the result would be.
If you are an ordinary user, it doesn't matter if you make a mistake once. However, for many state agencies and departments, processor errors will have very dire consequences! As a result, the computers used in these state agencies will no longer use Intel processors!
He walked back and forth, thinking of countermeasures.
“What about AMD’s products? Do they have this kind of defect?” Liu Zhonglie asked.
“During current testing, no such problem has been found in AMD’s products.”
In the decades of processor history, Intel has been exposed to a lot of bad news. A hardware defect will pop up every few years. However, AMD has been stable and has not had any major problems.
"Okay, if government agencies want to replace these computers, then we can provide two solutions." Liu Zhonglie said: "On the one hand, we need to contact Intel urgently and tell them about this defect, hoping that they can provide The remedy, on the other hand, is that we can sell AMD computers to the government, and through this promotion, we can sell more computers! Go to work now!"
Just change it. Anyway, the government spends the country's money on replacing computers. If the existing computers are eliminated and a batch of new ones are replaced, then they hope that the company, the largest computer supplier in the country, can still get greater benefits. profit!
It's a blessing in disguise.
Hearing what he said, Yang Qingfeng nodded and hurried to prepare. Yes, this was a new opportunity for them!
As for Loongson, they still don’t pay attention to it for the time being. How can users like a brand-new computer that has not been tested by the market? Over the years, Intel has used its absolute advantages to defeat many opponents and become a strong player in this field!
Huanglou.
“Dear leaders, this is our first Loongson computer in China.” Mr. Ni’s face was filled with excitement, his eyes were bloodshot, but he was in good spirits.
Since the first Loongson chip started to be taped out, all kinds of good news have been coming. The supplier VIA has also followed the tapeout and created a batch of north and south bridge chips specifically for Loongson. By the way, it also made the motherboard. VIA has been supplying Intel over the years and has developed a perfect process for manufacturing motherboards, so it can be done quite quickly.
As for system problems, just input the code into the compiler of the Loongson instruction set and recompile.
So, Mr. Ni has already brought the computer.
From the outside, it looks like other computers of this era, just an upright chassis, but its inside has been completely changed.
With their good relationship with the navy, they can of course come directly to the navy to sell their products. Various units of the navy must also have needs for computers.
"The performance of this computer will not be worse than Intel's computer." Mr. Ni continued to sell melons to Mrs. Wang.
Even Qin Tao felt a little embarrassed when he heard this.
The Loongson we manufacture has a maximum frequency of only 100 MHz, just like the 486. Intel's is already a Pentium Pro, and the frequency can easily reach 200 MHz. We still have a long way to go in this regard. Come on, when the Pentium 2 is launched next year, the frequency will start from 233 and reach a maximum of 450. And our Gou Sheng No. 2 will not be released until a few years later.
“How did you do it?” asked a naval leader.
"The frequency is not enough to make up the quantity." Mr. Ni said: "Our main frequency cannot reach the frequency of Intel's processor. However, our processor is cheap. At the same price, you can only buy one Intel processor. , ours can be bought for three to five yuan, and their main frequency is two hundred, so we only need to use two hundred yuan to catch up."
Multiple processors! This is the method that Mr. Ni came up with, and it is also a common method in this era.
Personal computers only need one processor, but for servers and the like, if one processor is not enough, multiple processors must be used to work together!
“Moreover, in multi-tasking mode, we use two processors, which is much better than one processor, so the overall performance is not worse than theirs.” Ni Lao continued.
Qin Tao opened his eyes wide, it was indeed true!
There is only one processor, which can only process one task at a time, but for a computer, there are many tasks that need to be processed. In this way, a large number of tasks will be divided into pieces and enter the processor, cutting out one second of processing time and dividing it among Each task is just like a computer capable of multitasking.
In this era, it is not very good for computers to handle things like this. Take the most important anti-virus software as an example. As long as the anti-virus software is turned on, the computer's running speed will instantly slow down.
What if there are two processors? One processor runs antivirus software and one processor runs other software so the computer doesn't slow down.
"Mr. Ni, your method is good." Qin Tao said: "In the future, when our chips are more integrated, we can integrate multiple cores into one processor."
Multi-core processors have become very popular in later generations, which is also inevitable for the development of processors. At the beginning, processors were competing for the peak of frequency. By the time Pentium 4 came, it could reach frequencies above 3G.
What next? People found that it was meaningless to continue to increase the frequency. The performance of the computer will not be improved due to high frequency. On the contrary, it will bring about a series of heating and other problems. Therefore, multi-core began to be used.
Integrate several cores on one processor to achieve multi-tasking functions.
Dual-core, quad-core, eight-core, and even four big and four small ones will gradually become popular. As they continue to develop, Moore's Law will gradually expire and processor performance will gradually become excessive.
Now, Qin Tao made this suggestion. It was definitely an innovation. Mr. Ni opened his eyes wide and carefully understood Qin Tao's words, feeling that they contained rich philosophy.
Perhaps, is this really the future development path for processors?
“We have discovered a vulnerability in Intel processors, which is an important development opportunity for us. However, do our own processors have design flaws?” Wu Shengli thought of something and asked Mr. Ni.
The expression on Mr. Ni's face was very serious: "No one knows about this flaw, and it needs to be tested continuously. Therefore, the prototype we provide to the troops is, on the one hand, to let the troops experience the excellent performance of our Loongson computers. On the other hand, I also want you to test it in your own way to see if there is any problem with this computer."
For a R&D team, a large number of tests are required to complete the R&D project before it can be put on the market. Testing also requires more money. Under the current circumstances, the best way for the Loongson team is to put these tests into practice. The computers were sent out to many government agencies for them to use and test during use.
Wu Shengli smiled: "Okay, we will give you free labor once."
“What is this called free labor? Aren’t you getting benefits? You can use our computers for free. Even if this computer is cheaper than Intel’s, it will still cost seven to eight thousand!”
Qin Tao complained dissatisfiedly.
Wu Shengli smiled and said nothing, while Mr. Ni continued: "When the next batch of tape-out comes out, we plan to make it into a blade server. In a cabinet, there can be more than 20 Loongson processors. In this way A single cabinet should be able to meet the needs of the 14th school.”
This Loongson processor is not only for civilian use, but also for military use!
The project prepared for 14 is of course used on the Aegis Battleship. This Loongson core server will undertake the massive computing tasks of the Aegis Battleship!
“What is the anti-electromagnetic interference capability of this processor?” Wu Shengli asked.
“The problem of electromagnetic interference is not difficult.” Qin Tao answered directly: “We only need to make special shielding devices on the circuit board and the outer main casing.”
Speaking of electromagnetic interference, it seems very serious. In fact, a simple shielding device can solve this problem. Under the protection of a Faraday cage, the internal devices will not be interfered with.
"What we need to guard against is electromagnetic pulse. However, except for electron tubes, there seems to be nothing that can prevent it." Qin Tao continued: "However, except for nuclear bombs, there is no device that can produce a large amount of electromagnetic pulse. If the time really comes, , it is no longer a conventional war. If a nuclear war really breaks out, then only one of our anti-ship ballistic missiles can destroy the enemy's entire fleet. In the end of the war, various high-tech weapons will Being destroyed, it finally becomes a battle between humans, and if we fight humans, we have an absolute advantage.”
Many people are laughing at Lao Maozi's strategy. In fact, there is nothing wrong with Lao Maozi's strategy. People have always aimed at nuclear war and large-scale war. However, this kind of war has never been fought. Therefore, Lao Maozi's strategy Technical equipment has begun to be criticized.
Nuclear weapons are very powerful and can destroy the entire world. Therefore, under the shadow of nuclear weapons, the three world wars did not start.
Now, Qin Tao's theory can be recognized by the people present.
The matter was settled like this. Mr. Ni took other prototypes and went to sell them to other departments. Qin Tao continued to stay in the capital. He didn't need to worry about this kind of thing, but another thing was already approaching.
Bidding for the new Aegis destroyer!
Everything was ready and the bidding finally started in early May.
Huanglou.
When Sun Xuewen, the director of Bincheng Shipyard, walked into the venue, his eyes wandered around, and soon fell on a young man, and then walked over quickly.
“Mr. Qin!”
"Mr. Sun, hello." Qin Tao smiled and stretched out his hand.
“President Qin, your Mingzhou Group has been preparing for several years, and it is a major warship construction contractor in China. We will accompany you in this bidding, and you are the main force.” Sun Xuewen said with a smile.
The two are in a competitive relationship at this time, but Sun Xuewen and Qin Tao are communicating like good friends at this time.
Of course Qin Tao knew what was going on.
Seeing that Huating Shipyard has begun to make a lot of money by building natural gas ships, other shipyards of course can't sit still. Bincheng Shipyard has also sent a large number of craftsmen to Mingzhou Group to study. Now, they are also starting to build natural gas ships. The boat is gone.
This kind of ship has the highest profit, so even if it gives up all its share of the warships to Mingzhou, Bincheng Shipyard will only look bad in appearance, but the benefits will not be less. Relying on the big tree of Mingzhou Group, domestic All shipbuilding companies will enjoy the cool weather.
However, Bincheng Shipyard is a long-established shipyard after all, and has built many warships. This time it will have to come to bid.
"This is not necessarily true. Many people are not optimistic about our Mingzhou Group, saying that our dominance is detrimental to the development of the domestic shipbuilding industry." Qin Tao said: "You must also work hard to avoid people thinking that the Navy is behind the scenes. Operation."
Sun Xuewen smiled: "Mr. Qin, you have made a huge contribution to the navy. Even if we don't bid and the order is given to you directly, others can't say anything. Those people are just pink-eyed. If they don't have the ability, they will compete blindly."
The two of them exchanged pleasantries and waited until the people on the rostrum were seated before they separated.
The leader began to speak.
"In recent years, our navy has ushered in a period of rapid development. We have the No. 138 with a displacement of 10,000 tons, and the No. 136 and 137 with a displacement of 8,000 tons. However, these warships are all outsourced. We have only two 051C destroyers produced by ourselves. These two destroyers are of emergency nature and meet the air defense needs of our navy. They are not perfect, so now we need to bid for the next generation of destroyers, which need to have perfect air defense capabilities."
"The core of this destroyer system is our Hongqi-9 air defense missile system and supporting active phased array radar. Therefore, before bidding for warships, let us first listen to the technological progress in these fields." The leader continued. : "Old Wu, you should speak first."
Mr. Wu, the head of research and development of the Hongqi-9 missile, stepped onto the podium and picked up the microphone.
"Everyone should know that our Hongqi-9 missiles have been tested and finalized two years ago. We have currently provided equipment for four air defense missile battalions to the Air Force. They have performed well in use by the Air Force." Wu The old introduction is very simple: "At present, overall, our Hongqi-9 missile has matured. There are many rumors from the outside world that our missile is an imitation of the S-300 missile. These are nonsense. We and Many parameters of the S-300 missile are similar, but there are also some parameters that are very different. For example, for the terminal guidance of the missile, we already have a mature TVM mechanism and are transitioning to active guidance radar."
In fact, the technical staff here already have some understanding of the performance of this missile, and Mr. Wu’s introduction was mainly to the leaders in the seats.
TVM mechanism is a technology developed in the early years when computer technology was not advanced enough and many devices had not yet been miniaturized to improve multi-target engagement capabilities and ensure electronic countermeasure capabilities. With the rapid development of electronic technology in recent years, the Hongqi-9 missile has begun to adopt the most advanced active radar seeker.
Of course, due to the range limitation of the active radar seeker, it is impossible for the missile to use its own missile-borne radar to lock the target from the beginning. At this time, the subsequent C-band antenna is also needed for guidance.
"Currently, we are continuing to develop the technology of the Hongqi-9 missile, which is similar to Lao Maozi's S-300 missile. The focus of our development is the range. The current maximum range is only about 100 kilometers, which cannot meet future challenges. We need Increase its range to two hundred, or even to four hundred in the future, so that it can not only intercept aircraft and anti-ship missiles, but also ballistic missiles."
During the war in 1991, the battle between the Scuds and the Patriots touched everyone's heart, and it also represented the coming of a new era: intercepting ballistic missiles!
Although the Scud is only a ballistic missile with a range of 300 kilometers, this is a beginning after all. In the future, with the continuous development of technology, the technology to intercept ballistic missiles will become more and more advanced, including medium-range, long-range, and even intercontinental ballistic missiles. , there is a possibility of being intercepted.
This requires the continuous development of air defense systems.
Mr. Wu explained the development of the Hongqi-9 missile, and then went down and was replaced by technical personnel from the 14th Institute.
But Mr. Ben did not come up. He sat down and listened. The person responsible for the introduction was Xing Wenge, the engineer of 346 Radar.
“Dear leaders, distinguished guests, and distinguished friends.” It was probably the first time for Xing Wenge to come here to attend a meeting. He was a little excited at this time and was shaking a little while holding the manuscript in his hand.
"I am very happy to report to you here. The 346 radar developed by our 14th Institute has passed sea testing and is fully qualified for shipment." Xing Wenge took a deep breath: "The biggest thing we encountered at that time The problem is that due to clutter interference on the sea, every wave will turn into a false target. We spent six months doing experimental restorations and finally solved this problem."
“As for the radar heat dissipation issue that we are most concerned about, it has been effectively solved. We use the most common air-cooling heat dissipation method. The antenna array works very stably. Under the condition of maximum power, the heat dissipation needs can still be completed..."
Since the plan of the 14th Institute was determined at the Navy meeting, the 14th Institute has been working hard to develop this radar, which is an essential part of overtaking in corners.
Originally, it was planned to build the Aegis battleship last year, but it was delayed again and again, and testing has only begun now. Therefore, the 346 radar has undergone a lot of testing and almost all problems have been solved.
What we are reporting now is about the hardships of research and development, and everyone is deeply touched by it. This is a zero breakthrough, and it is not easy.
However, some people were a little impatient.
“Commander Xing, can you tell us how much this radar costs?”
Qin Tao frowned and glanced at Sun Xuewen.
Before the rise of the Mingzhou Group, Bincheng Shipyard was a major manufacturer of warships. Over the past few decades, of course they have had many contacts with the military. Is this kind of question being asked unconsciously or deliberately?
This is the only disadvantage of the four-sided phased array radar antenna!
"After our repeated improvements, the production cost of the T/R module required by the phased array radar has dropped significantly." Xing Wenge said: "According to the latest technology, the price of our entire system can be controlled at Five hundred million."
500 million!
Many people took a breath of air.
What is the concept of price? It doesn’t cost so much money to build a 054 now!
This still significantly reduces production costs. What about before? Just this 346 radar system costs one billion, or even two billion?
Isn’t this a waste of money?
Many people at the scene frowned.
The navy is poor. How much would it cost to build such a warship?
The bidding for warships has not officially started yet, and the units responsible for the bidding have not even begun to introduce themselves, but a shadow has already fallen over them.
Qin Tao's eyes wandered around for a week, and then a smile appeared on his face again.
I am just trying my best to help the Navy develop, but I have no control over what the Navy ultimately chooses. If the Navy feels pain and purchases the Bincheng Shipyard project, then I can accept it. After all, This is the reality.
If you want performance, you also have to look at how much money you have in your pocket.
Xing Wenge has already noticed the cold atmosphere around him. He is a little at a loss. For a straight-line technician, this is the first time for him to make such a report.
This was also an exercise for Mr. Ben to train Xing Wenge. Now it seems that Xing Wenge has some stage fright, so he could only cough: "Xiao Xing, don't be stunned, hurry up and continue introducing to the leaders. "
After speaking, he glanced at the people on the rostrum again: "Leaders, please don't interrupt our introduction. If you have any questions later, I will answer them."
The leader above smiled and said, "General Master Xing, please go ahead and introduce me."
So Xing Wenge took another deep breath and introduced: "Currently, we are cooperating with the David people on the early warning aircraft project. We also learned some about the manufacturing process of T/R components from them. Therefore, in the next few years, the cost of our products may be reduced step by step.”
(End of this chapter)