There are many ways to classify chips. If we randomly interview 10 industry leaders, we may get 10 different answers.

For example, it can be divided into analog chip and digital chip according to the way of processing signal.

According to the design concept, it can be divided into general-purpose chips and special-purpose chips.

According to the application field, it can be divided into aerospace-grade chips, automotive-grade chips, industrial-grade chips and commercial-grade chips.

According to the manufacturing process, it can also be divided into 7nm chips, 14nm chips, 28nm chips...

Some companies often say: Our company’s main business is CPU chips/memory chips. In fact, this is divided from the perspective of application functions.

Today we will start a detailed classification from the perspective of application functions.

1. Processor Chip

The processor chip is equivalent to the human brain, which is used for thinking, analyzing and calculating.

The central processing unit (CPU) is the core of the system‘s operation and control, and the final execution unit for information processing and program operation. Generally speaking, when it comes to CPU, it is hard not to think of Intel for the first time. The world‘s first commercial processor is Intel 4004. In addition to Intel, AMD, IBM, and Qualcomm are all representative companies that design CPU chips. Good domestically produced CPU companies include Huawei, Loongson, Haiguang, Beijing Junzheng and so on. Graphics processing unit (GPU), also called visual processor or display chip, is generally a microprocessor that performs image and graphics-related operations on mobile devices such as computers and mobile phones. Intel, Nvidia, and AMD are all representative companies in the GPU field. The domestic GPU market has also blossomed in the past two years, and companies such as Biren, Moore Thread, Insina Technology, and Jingjiawei have all released domestic GPUs. Digital signal processor (DSP) is a unique microprocessor, a device that processes a large amount of information with digital signals. In addition to the audio and video fields, DSP can be seen in fields such as automatic control, radar, military, aerospace, medical, and household appliances. Companies such as Microchip, TI, ADI, and ARM are all representative companies in the field of DSP chips.

Microcontroller (MCU) integrates calculation, storage, interface, etc. on a chip to form a chip-level computer. MCU has a wide range of uses, but its biggest application scenario is still a car. A car contains more than 70 MCU chips. Representative domestic and foreign companies in the MCU chip field include: Renesas Electronics, NXP, ST, BGI Semiconductor, Silan Microelectronics, Fudan Microelectronics, etc.

2. Memory Chip

The memory chip is equivalent to the human cerebral cortex and is used to store information and data. Psychologically speaking, human brain memory can be divided into instantaneous memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Similarly, there are different types of memory chips, which play different roles.

Static random access memory (SRAM), as long as the power is kept on, the data stored in it can be kept constantly; but as long as the power is off, the data will be lost. Belongs to volatile memory.

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) can only hold data for a short period of time, so it needs to be refreshed regularly when the power is on to keep the data unchanged; after the power is off, the data will be lost. It is also a volatile memory.

Read-only memory (ROM), once the information is written, it is fixed, even if the power is turned off, the information will not be lost. Belongs to non-volatile memory.

Flash memory can retain data for a long time regardless of whether it is powered on or refreshed. It belongs to non-volatile memory like ROM.

As the world‘s largest memory chip market, my country has long relied on imports for memory chips. The current memory market can be said to be monopolized by foreign giants, especially DRAM. The market share of Samsung, Hynix, and Micron is above 94%. In order to break through the memory chip market, there are now many domestic memory chip companies breaking through, such as Yangtze River Storage, Changxin Storage, Zhaoyi Innovation, Huatian Technology, and Fudan Microelectronics.

3. Sensor

Sensors are equivalent to the five senses of human beings and can perceive/measure sounds, images, temperature, humidity, pressure and light signals in life.

CMOS image sensor (CIS) is an electronic device that converts optical images into electronic signals. It is equivalent to the human retina. It is indispensable for mobile phones, cameras, and even satellite imaging. Representative domestic and foreign companies in the CIS field include: Sony, Samsung, Howe Technology, Gekewei, etc.

Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) is a system that integrates microcircuits and micromachines on a chip according to functional requirements. The application in mobile phones is particularly extensive, such as magnetic sensors, fingerprint sensors, environmental sensors and so on. Representative domestic and foreign companies in the MEMS field include Broadcom, Bosch, Goertek, Minxin Micro, Silan Micro, etc.

Touch/touch chip (Touch), mobile phones and tablet computers that everyone uses every day, they contain a touch chip, which has a sensitive automatic recognition and tracking function for environmental changes. Representative domestic and foreign companies in the Touch chip field include: Atmel, BYD, Morningstar Semiconductor, and Goodix.

4. Power chip

The power chip is equivalent to the human heart and can provide nutrients to other organs of the body. The power chip can provide power to ASIC, DSP, CPU, Memory, FPGA and other digital or analog loads.

DC/DC power supply chip (DCDC) refers to the power supply that converts direct current to direct current. It is a type of switching power supply chip (the other is AC/DC). Compared with AC/DC, DC/DC design technology and production process are mature and standardized at home and abroad.

LDO low dropout linear regulator (LDO) is a kind of regulator. In electronic design, it is often necessary to use different DC voltages to power different devices, which can be realized by LDO voltage regulator chips.

The power management unit (PMU) is a highly integrated, more portable power management solution that can achieve higher power conversion efficiency and lower power consumption.

Representative domestic and foreign companies in the field of power chips include: Core Source Systems, TI, Infineon, Toshiba, Rockchip, Shengbang Microelectronics, Shanghai Belling, etc.

5. Communication chip

The communication chip is equivalent to the human nerves, extending in all directions, transmitting information and data.

Bluetooth chip (Bluetooth), Bluetooth is often used by everyone. It is a short-distance wireless connection technology that supports the transmission of sound and images. Representative companies in the field of Bluetooth chips include Qualcomm, Cypress, Dialog, ST, and Unigroup Zhanrui.

Needless to say, the wireless chip (WIFI) is necessary for surfing the Internet, and it is also a short-range wireless communication. Representative companies in the field of WIFI chips include Qualcomm, Broadcom, Marvell, MediaTek, Realtek, Espressif.

Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-loT) is a long-distance wireless communication that belongs to a wide area network. It can be applied to various fields such as smart meter reading, smart street lights, smart parking, and shared bicycles. Representative companies in the field of NB-loT chips include Qualcomm, Huawei, ZTE Micro, MediaTek, and Ziguang Zhanrui.

6. Interface chip

The interface chip is equivalent to the human limbs. The same can be used to transfer information and data.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an external bus standard and an interface technology used in the field of PCs and mobile phones. It is also one of our daily contact, such as the USB port on the computer and the USB charging cable of the mobile phone, which are closely related to our lives. Representative companies in the USB chip field include Cypress, NXP and Allwinner.

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