As Zhang Zhipeng worked on the 286 CPU in his research, his experience bar for CPU design skills rapidly progressed.
Forty-three percent, forty-four percent... ninety-seven percent, ninety-eight percent... one hundred percent!
[Congratulations to the host for acquiring beginner-level CPU design skills!]
[You have mastered the skills and experience needed to design CPUs using the x86 architecture!]
[Now, try designing your own CPU based on the x86 architecture. As you work on the design, your CPU design skills will continue to improve!]
Zhang Zhipeng snapped his fingers, his face full of joy.
Now, he realized that he had gained a profound understanding of CPU design.
There are four mainstream CPU design architecture models.
The earliest one is Intel’s x86 architecture, a 16-bit microprocessor that appeared in 1978. Its emergence ushered in a new era of computer development, making microcomputers widespread.
Zhang Zhipeng immediately began designing his own processor based on the x86 architecture.
As soon as he started, he realized that it was indeed a highly complex project.
Even though he had beginner-level CPU design skills, this wasn’t something that could be done overnight.
Zhang Zhipeng spent the entire morning designing his first CPU.
He was so engrossed in his work that he even missed lunch.
It wasn’t until around 1:40 in the afternoon that he finally neared completion.
Throughout the process of designing his first CPU based on the x86 architecture, his experience points steadily increased.
[Congratulations to the host, your CPU design skills have been upgraded to intermediate level!]
[Congratulations to the host! The system has unlocked the progress bar for enhancing ARM architecture microprocessor design skills! Keep up the good work!]
The ARM architecture is another independent CPU design model. It was formally established in 1985, adopting a reduced instruction set and using a 3-micron chip. In his previous life, this architecture was widely used in products designed for embedded systems. Later, when mobile phones began to rapidly develop and proliferate, most manufacturers adopted the ARM architecture.
So, this ARM architecture is really important. Zhang Zhipeng stretched and finally noticed his stomach growling.
When he looked at the clock, it was already almost 2:00 PM.
At this time, the cafeteria would surely be out of food.
He got up, fetched a cup of hot water, and drank it in one go.
But the hunger pangs wouldn’t subside.
Zhang Zhipeng hesitated—should he go out to buy something to eat?
But then he thought it would be a waste of time!
After all, his first CPU design based on the x86 architecture was just a tiny step away from completion.
He figured, if worse comes to worst, he’d just finish his work first and then grab something to eat.
But his stomach growled again, making him feel quite uncomfortable.
Just as he was torn about what to do, his office door opened, and Zheng Jingzhi walked in.
“Zhipeng, you didn’t go out for lunch, did you?” Zheng Jingzhi was holding an aluminum lunch box.
Zhang Zhipeng could already smell the aroma of the food.
It smelled so good!
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His mouth started to water.
Zhang Zhipeng thought, could Teacher Zheng really be here to bring me food?
No, that’s impossible; I shouldn’t get ahead of myself.
Zhang Zhipeng smiled and said, "I got so busy that I forgot about eating."
“I was just about to head out to grab a bite.”
Zheng Jingzhi placed the lunch box on his desk and glanced at the scattered items on it. He couldn’t figure out what Zhang Zhipeng was so busy with.
The desk was cluttered with various drawing tools and disassembled computer motherboards, looking quite chaotic.
There were also some blueprints on the desk; they seemed to be circuit diagrams?
Zheng Jingzhi said, “A man is like iron, and food is like steel—you’ll feel weak if you skip a meal.”
“You must eat on time!”
"I bought you a boxed lunch from the street."
Zhang Zhipeng was overjoyed and deeply moved. He quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, teacher."
Zheng Jingzhi waved his hand, indicating that it was nothing, but he couldn't resist asking, "So, what are you drawing here?"
Zhang Zhipeng replied, "I wasn't up to much, just trying to design a CPU."
"Our avionics system needs the support of a CPU to be more intelligent and easier to operate."
"I'm thinking of designing a CPU that can be used in aircraft avionics systems to centrally process information coming from various subsystem sensors. This would greatly simplify the aircraft's controls and enhance stability."
Zheng Jingzhi's eyes widened: what Zhang Zhipeng was attempting to do was precisely the goal that the domestic third-generation fighter jets aimed to achieve!
In fact, American fighter jets had already achieved this.
China had once attempted to introduce the entire avionics system technology through imports.
However, after numerous setbacks, it ultimately failed.
How could the West possibly allow such a critical weapon to fall into the hands of a potential adversary? Our country has no choice but to rely on itself!
Zheng Jingzhi never expected that Zhang Zhipeng would take it upon himself to tackle this challenge.
He took a deep breath, trying hard to contain his excitement, thinking that perhaps this time, he had truly stumbled upon a treasure.
Smiling, he said, "Hurry up and eat! You need to be full to keep working."
Zhang Zhipeng nodded with a smile and said, "Alright! Thank you for your concern, teacher!"
Zheng Jingzhi patted Zhang Zhipeng on the shoulder and said, "My knowledge is already outdated, and I can't contribute much to the work you're doing. But if you need anything, just let me know! I'll do everything I can to help you."
Zhang Zhipeng opened the lunch box and saw braised pork, fried fish, and vegetables inside.
He swallowed and said with a smile, "Teacher, you're being too modest. You have vast experience and profound knowledge. You're one of the top experts in avionics, so I'll definitely need your guidance in the future."
Zheng Jingzhi laughed and said, "Alright, stop flattering me. Just eat well, and I'll be off."
When Zheng Jingzhi returned to his office and had just sat down, he received a call from Qian Yizhou, the secretary of the principal, Dong Haoming.
"Teacher Zheng, isn't there a problem with that application you submitted?"
"Zhang Zhipeng is just a worker, and suddenly elevating him to the level of a researcher seems highly irregular, doesn't it?"
"Doing this could cause great dissatisfaction among the staff."
A researcher's position is equivalent to a senior professional title, on par with a professor. Elevating an ordinary worker to enjoy the same status as a professor is indeed quite unusual.
So, it's understandable that the principal's secretary would have such concerns.
Zheng Jingzhi patiently explained, "Xiao Qian, Zhang Zhipeng is not an ordinary person; he's an exceptional programming expert that we urgently need."
"It's not easy to find someone like him nationwide."
"Our personnel system shouldn't be too rigid, don't you agree?"
"For such outstanding talent, we should offer him the best treatment so he can work with peace of mind and help the school achieve results quickly."
Qian Yizhou laughed, "I'm finding that hard to believe."
"Not to mention the whole country, I bet there are quite a few programming experts in our school's electronic engineering department alone."
"Also, the school's rules can't be broken lightly. It could lead to all sorts of unfair situations, and if that happens, the resulting complaints would be troublesome. As an academic authority, you should know the principle of not fearing scarcity but fearing inequity."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Jingzhi became quite angry, "What do you mean? Are you suggesting that I'm playing favorites?"
"I'm doing this to make progress on the project I'm currently working on."
"Do you realize the urgency? We're in a critical situation!"
"How many years have we been waiting for our third-generation fighter jets to take to the skies? And they still haven't! Do you think it's easy for me to find such talent?"
"Aren't we all doing this for the advancement of national defense?"
"So why are you arguing with me about this?"
"Xiao Qian, just tell me, whose opinion is this? Yours or the principal's?"
"I need to see the principal right away and get an explanation!"