Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies has admitted it remains roughly a generation behind its American competitors in individual chip performance. However, the company claims it is closing the gap using innovative software and hardware workarounds.
Network World
In public remarks published by China’s People’s Daily, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei outlined how the company is leaning on mathematical strategies, architectural alterations, and “cluster computing” to offset the limitations of its single-chip hardware.
Network World
Key details of Huawei’s strategy and current progress include:
- The Workarounds: Because U.S. trade restrictions block access to the most sophisticated lithography equipment and high-end hardware, Huawei is applying “non-Moore’s Law” techniques. Instead of relying purely on shrinking transistors, Huawei is connecting multiple processing dies together to double performance. It is also leveraging its deep background in networking to link groups of processors together seamlessly, relying on software optimizations to make up for hardware deficits. Network World+ 1
- New Hardware on the Horizon: Huawei is currently testing a powerful new artificial intelligence processor, the Ascend 910D, with Chinese tech companies to assess its feasibility. The company intends for this iteration to surpass Nvidia’s older H100 chip. Mass shipments of another advanced AI variant, the 910C, are also anticipated. Investing.com+ 2
- The Trade-offs: Industry analysts note that while combining software efficiency with cluster computing allows Huawei to remain highly competitive at the server level, the approach consumes significantly more power and operates less efficiently than using a single, cutting-edge American chip. Network World
- Strategic Low Profile: Analysts also suggest Huawei is intentionally managing global expectations and keeping a low profile regarding its breakthroughs. By downplaying its successes, the company aims to avoid triggering further, more aggressive tech restrictions from Washington and its global allies. Network World