ChinaTalk Breaking Huawei + Tariffs Done Right with SemiAnalysis and Asianometry
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Apr 19, 2025 
Dylan Patel, a semiconductor analyst at SemiAnalysis, dives deep into the cutting-edge developments at Huawei, showcasing their AI chip prowess threatening NVIDIA. He discusses the intricacies of U.S. tech tariffs, advocating for smart policies to enhance domestic manufacturing. The conversation highlights the complex dance of geopolitics influencing China's tech landscape and the ongoing challenges in the optics industry. From semiconductor strategies to playful tech anecdotes, Dylan shares his insights with engaging flair.
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Huawei's Powerful AI System Design
- Huawei has built a powerful AI system by networking multiple 7nm chips into a 16-rack system with optical connections.
- This system surpasses NVIDIA's performance but consumes significantly more power, showcasing different design trade-offs.
Huawei Exploits Sanction Loopholes
- Huawei continues receiving critical components like wafers and HBM through loopholes despite US sanctions.
- This allows them to ramp up production unless tougher export controls are enforced.
Huawei's Optical Networking Breakthrough
- Huawei innovated by using an optical transceiver design called LPO that removes expensive chips while maintaining functionality.
- This design is cheaper, low power, lower latency but slightly less reliable, balanced by good engineering.