#None #Huawei #AI Chips #Ascend 910C

Huawei Aims Higher with Ascend 910C

In a significant development for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, Huawei's Ascend 910C AI chip has reportedly achieved a manufacturing yield of 40%. This milestone not only marks the first time the Ascend production line has turned profitable but also sets the stage for further advancements in Huawei's chip manufacturing capabilities. With plans to boost yields to 60%—an industry standard—Huawei is positioning itself as a formidable player in the competitive semiconductor market.

Yield Improvement and Market Presence

According to reports from industry-focused media outlets, including DIGITIMES Asia, the yield of Huawei's Ascend 910C has shown a substantial increase from just 20% in September 2024 to the current 40%. The company's commitment to improving its manufacturing processes has paid off, reflecting in its profits. As of now, Huawei is responsible for over 75% of China's AI chip production. This statistic highlights its growing dominance within the domestic semiconductor landscape.

The Ascend 910C is manufactured using the SMIC 7nm (N+2) process, which is an important detail as it signifies ongoing efforts to localize chip manufacturing amidst growing geopolitical tensions. Following the halt of production by TSMC due to U.S. trade restrictions in 2020, Huawei was compelled to pivot to SMIC for its CPU manufacturing. This strategic shift not only ensures the continuity of production but also aligns with China's broader ambition for semiconductor self-sufficiency.

Future Production Targets

In line with its recovery plan, Huawei intends to ramp up production to 100,000 units of the Ascend 910C in 2025, a dramatic increase from a previous zero output. Additionally, the company has established ambitious goals for its earlier model, the Ascend 910B, targeting production of 300,000 units. This signifies a substantial upgrade from the 200,000-unit production planned for the previous year.

Performance and Comparisons

When comparing the Ascend 910C with competitors, the chip delivers around 60% of the inference performance of Nvidia's H100 GPU. Although it still lags behind Nvidia's next-generation Blackwell AI chips, the ascendancy of Huawei’s technology shows progress in reducing reliance on Western chipmakers. As a result, this scenario positions Huawei in a competitive light as it seeks to enhance its product line.

A Step Towards Self-Sufficiency

The advancements of the Ascend 910C are not just limited to profitability and performance gains; they signal a significant shift in the global semiconductor market dynamics. Analysts see this as a milestone that bolsters China’s quest for independence in the tech sector amid tightening sanctions from Western nations. With the ascension of local enterprises like Huawei, who lead AI chip production, the industry is likely to see substantial changes in the years to come.

Huawei's aspirations with the Ascend 910C mark a notable moment in technological innovation and economic strategy. As the company moves forward toward its target of a 60% yield rate and increased unit production, its impact on the semiconductor landscape will undoubtedly be profound.