Everyone knows that chips are very important. But do you know how long a process a chip has to go through from the initial design concept to the final mass production?

Unveiling the Birth of a Chip: The Key Stages of Chip R&D

The R&D process of a chip is quite complex. Generally, it will go through the following six key stages:

Requirement definition and architecture design stage, front-end design and verification, back-end design and tape-out, alpha phase, beta phase, and mass production phase.

Of course, in some cases, the alpha phase and the beta phase are collectively referred to as the ''chip testing phase'', which is also reasonable and accurate.

Participating in the Alpha Phase: Deeper Cooperation, More Reliable Quality

Normally, the vast majority of downstream manufacturers start product design only after the chips are officially mass-produced. A small number of selected partners get the chips in the beta phase

Forlinx Embedded has established strategic partnerships with multiple chip manufacturers. It can obtain engineering samples in advance during the alpha phase of the chips and initiate the R&D work of embedded SoM products.

What does this mean?

Transformation from ''Downstream Purchaser'' to ''Strategic Partner'' - Forlinx Embedded is no longer just a simple chip purchaser but a trusted co-developer partner of the chip manufacturers. The manufacturers are willing to share their most core and cutting-edge technical information and listen to the feedback from Forlinx Embedded based on actual application scenarios.

In-depth Involvement in the Chip Optimization Process - Engineers at Forlinx Embedded can directly feedback the problems found during testing to the design team of the chip manufacturers. This means that the chips have the opportunity to be refined to better meet the needs of end-products before their finalization.

A Race Against Time - While competitors are still waiting for the official release of the chips, Forlinx Embedded has completed the schematic design of the SoM based on the new chip, PCB layout, adaptation of the underlying software drivers, and basic debugging work. This can gain a first-mover advantage of several months or even longer and allow customers to get the development board products in advance for project R&D.

Three Core Advantages - Making Customers' Products More Competitive

The in-depth and forward-looking cooperation between Forlinx Embedded and the chip manufacturers will ultimately translate into tangible competitive advantages for customers.

Advantage 1: ''Time Dividend'', Helping You Get Ahead

As the saying goes, ''In the world of martial arts, only speed can be invincible.'' In today's market competition environment where efficiency is paramount, a one-month delay in product launch may mean a huge loss of opportunities. Since Forlinx Embedded has completed the most time-consuming and complex underlying hardware and basic software adaptation work, customers will receive a highly mature SoM kit that can be immediately used for application development, thus significantly shortening the product R&D cycle and seizing the market.

Advantage 2: ''Reliability Assurance'', Making Products More Stable

In-depth participation in the alpha phase means that Forlinx Embedded has a deeper understanding of the chip. It also means that the final SoM products have undergone more thorough testing and verification, with higher stability and reliability, greatly reducing the later-stage quality risks of your products.

Advantage 3: ''Technical Support'', Solving Problems at the Root

The technical support team of Forlinx Embedded, having worked side by side with the chip manufacturers, may have an in-depth understanding of problems down to the chip's underlying level. The technical support team of Forlinx Embedded, having worked side by side with the chip manufacturers, may have an in-depth understanding of problems down to the chip's underlying level.

Summary

In summary, Forlinx Embedded's in-depth participation in the alpha phase of chips is a powerful ''supply-chain pre-positioning'' ability. This is not just a technical cooperation but also a strategic layout, aiming to deliver the most cutting-edge chip technologies to customers in a more stable and faster way. Forlinx Embedded will also use this highly competitive advantage to help customers seize the opportunity, avoid risks, and ensure their success.