Huawei has reportedly developed its own 14nm EDA tools, which are set to be a game-changer in the chip manufacturing industry. These tools, essential in designing and validating semiconductor processes, will allow Huawei to mass-produce its Kirin 9020 chipset, a critical component for its upcoming devices like the Pura 80 series.
Despite being limited to the 7nm process for now, Huawei’s move into EDA tool development marks a significant step toward independence in the semiconductor space, as they aim to break free from reliance on overseas firms.
EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools are essential in the semiconductor industry, though they don’t directly participate in manufacturing. Rather, they enable designers to develop and test processes that meet precise requirements. Without these tools, companies like Xiaomi can’t advance beyond the 3nm barrier for their XRING 02, since advanced chip designs like TSMC’s 2nm technology require a Gate-All-Around Field-Effect Transistor (GAAFET) structure that is only feasible with sophisticated EDA tools. With the Trump administration’s ban on the export of these critical components, Huawei has allegedly circumvented the obstacles by creating its own solutions in partnership with Chinese EDA companies.
The collaboration led to the creation of a 14nm EDA solution, which Huawei has reportedly perfected by March 2023. This breakthrough enables them to use these tools to produce the Kirin 9020 chipset, which is already expected to power the Mate 70 flagship series. The Pura 80 series might also feature this chipset. However, a significant hurdle remains: Huawei still relies on SMIC’s DUV (Deep Ultraviolet) machines for manufacturing the Kirin 9020 at 7nm, and acquiring next-generation EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) equipment remains a challenge.
While Huawei’s partner, SiCarrier, is working on alternatives to ASML’s EUV machines, it could still take a few years before Huawei has full autonomy in this area. The company has already raised $2.8 billion for its EUV ambitions. If successful, this could allow Huawei to manufacture chips at 5nm and below without the yield issues that current technologies face. If other Chinese companies follow Huawei’s lead in adopting these new EDA tools, it could disrupt the market, particularly for companies like Xiaomi, which aspire to compete with Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple. It’s still uncertain if Huawei and Xiaomi will collaborate on next-generation EDA tools, but that possibility remains intriguing.