Rebirth of the Tech Madman

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After listening to the project’s chief engineer Fred Pollack for nearly half an hour, Tang Huan took a look at the gap and asked in a polite manner: “The design without the need for words is really excellent, but I need an intuitive understanding. . For example, since its market competition target is Motorola’s 68000 series, how much more efficient is it running compared to Intel’s own intel80286"

"It is 32-bit l80286 and 16-bit. The instruction architectures of the two are also completely different, and they have not really been completed yet, so they should not be comparable." A strange color flashed across Fred Pollack's face, which seemed to treat Tang Huan. The proposal was somewhat resisted.

Compared with the design inspiration of the microprocessor triggered by a calculator order, the intel4004, intel8008, intel8080, intel8086, and intel80286 product lines "obtained by chance" belong to a well-planned project, which fully exposes Intel’s The ambitions of the high-end processor market.

One of the major characteristics of Intel is that it supports object-oriented programming at the level of hardware and microcode, which can be regarded as a high-level programming language-based computer architecture, and the high-level programming language implemented by Intel is ada.

This programming language originated from a plan of the United States.

After entering the 1970s, the number of programming languages ​​used in computer system projects under the U.S. Department of Defense has increased day by day, and it has grown to this year. That is, in 1983, there were as many as 450 species.

Many of these programming languages ​​are very old. Or rely too much on hardware, especially if there is no uniform code quality and safety standard.

The US Department of Defense is very worried about this. So in 1975, a high-level language working group was established. Its mission is to find or create a programming language that suits the needs of the Ministry of Defense in order to reduce the number of existing programming languages. The final result of the group's work is the ada language.

The name ada was used to commemorate Edda Lovelace, the daughter of the famous British poet Byron. The countess was a mathematics enthusiast who participated in the development of the Babbage difference machine, which has a huge influence on modern computers. Research, later recognized as the first computer programmer.

no doubt. With the participation of the military and the government, the commercial value of this market is naturally very impressive. Not to mention that Intel has high hopes for the project. Even Tang Huan, a latecomer, also actively participates in it. There is also a Zheru R&D center. Projects related to the ada language.

The ada language is extended from and other programming languages, and the main application areas are embedded and real-time system design.

Therefore, the important features of the ada language are embedded style, modular design, compilation checking, parallel processing, exception handling and generic programming.

Especially the compilation and inspection of ada language, for operating systems such as avionics, aerospace vehicles, weapons, etc. It has an important security guarantee significance for executing code, which is exactly what the US Department of Defense needs.

This type of technology may be too abstract. But a slight error often means a significant loss.

For example, in the original space-time in early June 1996, the first launch of the Ariane 5 carrier rocket of the European Space Agency, only 37 seconds, deviated from the scheduled flight path, disintegrated and exploded, and ended in failure.

You know, the communications satellite on board the rocket is worth 500 million U.S. dollars.

The final conclusion of the accident investigation is: the computer that controls the inertial navigation system. An invalid data was sent to the computer controlling the engine nozzle. It is caused by an overflow that occurs when a 64-bit floating-point number is converted to a 16-bit signed integer, and the ada language did not detect this execution code security issue during the compilation process.

The current project is in the development of the ada language compiler, and it has encountered big troubles, resulting in inefficient code operation.

It is completely foreseeable that if it really competes with intel80286 for speed, it’s not a surprise that the horse will miss the front, it’s just a matter of how much behind it is.

The R&D team headed by Fred Pollack feels complicated and subtle about this.

Obviously more advanced than intel80286, but the operating speed is slower than the latter, the frustration caused by this is really difficult to humane outward.

Andy Grove advocated cooperating with Tang Huan on the project. In addition to seeing the bright prospects of China Fangyuan Computer's terminal products in terms of the demand for microprocessors, he also wanted to take advantage of Zheru's strong strength in the field of programming language compilers.

At this stage, Zheru's macro compilation, c6800 and 68000 series, and s6502 series have developed into very popular commercial compiler products, not only adopted by various computer companies, but also used by many universities for teaching purposes.

In addition, Zheru also has a successful compiler implementation for application-specific programming languages ​​like,, ada.

Before, Andy Grove got support from Tang Huan for the mainstream programming language compiler of intel80286. He wanted to extend this cooperation experience to ada, but the R&D team decided to find a monk from outside for chanting. Somewhat unconvinced.

Tang Huanke ignored the thoughts of Fred Pollack. He smiled and waved his hand, and accompanied the engineers who came to quickly build a test platform.

The same ada evaluation program was run on 8z and intel80286 with the same operating frequency.

After the results came out, the faces of everyone present were very exciting.

Tang Huan took a breath. Xin said, "It's no wonder that advanced technology does not always mean that the speed of business success is only a quarter of intel80286. Intel really gave me a lively lesson for free."

Fred Pollack bit the bullet and explained: "This result is mainly caused by the ada language compiler. I believe that after optimization by philosophers, it will definitely not be the current performance. In addition, the design and implementation are very complicated and must be compared. The hardware advantage can be realized only at a high operating frequency. The current 8z is too low."

"The problem with the ada language compiler. I can understand that it is a brand new cpu after all, and it really needs a process of continuous improvement."

Tang Huan nodded, "But since you know that the operating frequency is very important, why is there only the 8z version now because the manufacturing process is too complicated?"

Seeing Fred Pollack’s speechless, Tang Huan hit a haha, "I remember, at present, the Intel80286 only has a 125z version. It seems that the memory business is the fundamental business theme, which limits the microprocessor department. development of."

"The company management matters. We R&D personnel know nothing about it." Fred Pollack quickly found himself a step down.

Seeing that the R&D team successfully defeated it was enough to guarantee his own right to speak in the subsequent cooperation process, and Tang Huan no longer embarrassed the other party. Waved his hand and said: "Anyway, we can try to cooperate. But one thing is limited to one year. If the time is still unable to show real commercial value, Zheru may choose to withdraw."

Having said that, Tang Huan realized that Andy Grove was not present.

"Where is Grove" Tang Huan asked in surprise.

"He has gone to an impromptu meeting." Grove's assistant replied: "When he left, seeing that you were discussing very seriously, he didn't bother you. I'm very sorry."

"It's okay." Tang Huan nodded slightly. "I'll go find him."

This time I came to Intel headquarters, in addition to taking advantage of the trend and discussing project cooperation with the other party. Tang Huan also planned to contact Andy Grove alone.

As for the major problem of transforming its main business from memory to processor, Intel is among the Big Three. Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore were very conservative for various reasons. Only Andy Grove was very positive.

It is a pity that Andy Grove's position in Intel is just a strict corporate management executive who sings black faces. Once such a major decision is involved, the right to speak is very limited.

But Tang Huan still hopes to open the gap from Andy Grove, and Gein has taken a fancy to Intel's semiconductor factory.

If Intel decides to transform, then these redundant memory production lines will inevitably need to be dealt with; even if Intel is hesitant to transform, in the current situation of the Japanese and American semiconductor wars, for the sake of reducing costs, it may not be a good way to relocate the factory.

And the destination suggestion Tang Huan wants to give is mainland China.

Being optimistic about the checks and balances of China, a major eastern country, in the context of the Cold War, the United States has frequently extended its olive branch, and China, which has begun to reform and opening up, has also responded positively, and relations between the two countries have rapidly increased.

Director Deng's visit to the United States in January 1979 opened a series of high-level important exchanges between the two countries. On March 1 of the same year, the two countries formally established embassies in Beijing and Washington. US Vice President Walter Mondale paid a return visit to Chief Deng's visit in August.

As the high-level and working-level contacts between the two sides deepened, the two countries began to engage in dialogue on a wider range of topics, including global and regional strategy, politics, military, disarmament, United Nations and other multilateral organization affairs, and signed a number of bilateral treaties. , Especially in the exchange activities and trade exchanges in the fields of technology and culture.

Among them are the science and technology cooperation treaties, as well as some treaties in the maritime field and civil aviation connection signed in September 1980.

In May 1982, US Vice President Bush Sr. visited China again.

On August 17, 1982, China and the United States signed the third joint communiqué, the August 17 Communiqué.

As 1984 is approaching, the Premier of the State Council of China's visit to the United States and President Reagan's visit to China, these two high-level activities are already poised to take place.

In short, the situation of Sino-US relations is very good at this stage, and cooperation in the high-tech field can further borrow the wind.

Tang Huan has wooed Motorola to build a semiconductor factory in China, and Intel is his next lobbying target.

However, Tang Huan would not have thought that the topics being discussed in the Intel conference room at this time were not friendly to him.

In addition to the Intel Big Three, the attendees also included major shareholders of Intel and Apple, Arthur Locke, known as the father of venture capital, and Don Estelic.

"I know that Fangyuan Computer Company has signed an order for intel80286 with Intel, but ib intends to buy all intel80286 at a high price and is responsible for the compensation for breach of contract." Don Estelich, authorized by the headquarters, said with great wealth.

Seeing that Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore did not immediately express their views, but turned their eyes to themselves, the straight-tempered Andy Grove said directly: "This will affect Intel's reputation in the industry. Last time ib tried to squeeze orders from intel8088. The full production capacity of intel8086, but in fact, apart from making Tang Huan dissatisfied with us, it did not affect the manufacturing process of Fangyuan's personal computer at all. They have enough alternatives."

"This time the situation is different." Don Estelich smiled confidently. "Intel80286 has undergone many corrections since its release last year. Therefore, even if the second supplier's license has been issued At present, only Intel has the ability to supply in batches. I believe that this time difference will be as small as half a year. It can just make it later than the third-generation Fangyuan personal computer, regain the disadvantage, and attack Fangyuan personal computer in the high-end The advantage of the market."

Robert Noyce spoke at this time, "ib has promised to support our memory business."

Gordon Moore went on to say: "Fangyuan Computer Co. only needs the high-end version of the 125z intel80286. Although the remaining low-end products are purchased by Fangyuan PC compatible manufacturers, they are not as convenient as the acquisition of ib disks."

Arthur Lock finally added that ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ has a 20% stake in Intel, and I also agree with this transaction. So, no matter what, the decision will pass. But I want to analyze it for everyone. Only Intel CPU is used, but Fangyuan personal computer microprocessor also includes 68000 series and s6502 series, as well as the z80 series used by Dondi computers. From this perspective, it is self-evident how to choose to maximize the benefits. "

"Now that you have discussed it, what are you looking for me to do?" Andy Grove muttered, silently glanced at everyone present.

The information in their eyes made Andy Grove suddenly realize, "This is to make me a villain, come forward to negotiate with Tang Huan, and bear the anger of the world's richest man."

"I don't want to be such a fool." Andy Grove almost got up to the crime, but he immediately held back, and sighed inwardly, "Isn't that his duty?"

"If this is the final opinion, I will obey the decision of the board of directors." Andy Grove muttered, "I hope that the wrestling between the old and the new giants of ib Fangyuan Computer Company will not affect the ordinary Intel. Supplier." To be continued.

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