Import Substitution in Russia: An Interview with Yuri Panchul

Contents:

• Why can't antivirus software detect backdoors in processors?
• Creating Chromebook analogues based on Russian processors: reality or myth?
• World-class microelectronics: capabilities of Russian companies
• Domestic developments: architecture and microarchitecture
• The future of Windows: necessity or obsolescence?
• The fate of T-Platforms: from pioneers to crisis

Why can't antivirus software detect backdoors in processors?

Import substitution of microelectronics in Russia: relevance and challenges. In the context of global instability and sanctions pressure, the creation of domestic processors is becoming especially important. The development of domestic microelectronics technologies will allow the country to reduce its dependence on foreign supplies, improve security, and stimulate economic growth. However, there are significant challenges to successful import substitution, such as a shortage of qualified personnel, the need to invest in research and development, and insufficient infrastructure development. Solving these problems requires an integrated approach and support from the government and business.

Import substitution has three main goals. The first is to ensure the sustainability of the country's critical infrastructure, which helps minimize dependence on foreign technologies. The second goal is to develop domestic development teams, which helps improve the skills of specialists and create new jobs. The third goal is Testing and adapting Russian technologies for successful entry into international markets. This is important for strengthening Russia's position in the global economy and increasing the competitiveness of domestic products. Providing critical infrastructure with domestic processors is a crucial task. The question of the real threat of backdoors in these processors requires careful analysis. Denying the possibility of introducing backdoors suggests a lack of knowledge in the field of microchip design. In the face of growing cyber threats and increasing dependence on technology, it is critical to understand the risks associated with the use of third-party components. Developing and implementing domestic processors can significantly improve security and controllability, which in turn reduces the likelihood of external interference and potential threats. A specialized unit in the processor architecture can be developed to monitor data in registers or buffers. If certain key phrases are detected, this unit can suspend the processor, thereby providing protection from potential threats or system failures. This approach improves the security and stability of computing systems, as well as their performance in critical situations.

This hardware module is undetectable by software, and no antivirus software will be able to detect it. Data encryption is not an effective solution, as the information is transferred to registers and cache in decrypted form. This creates serious risks to data security, as standard protection methods cannot prevent access to vulnerable system components. To ensure protection, it is necessary to use comprehensive approaches, including hardware security tools and specialized solutions for monitoring and threat protection.

Examining chip layers using an electron microscope to identify malicious transistors is a complex task. It can be compared to finding a needle in a haystack, as without specialized tools and detection methods, such a task becomes virtually impossible. Successful analysis requires not only powerful equipment but also in-depth knowledge of microelectronics and the technologies used in chip production. Only modern visualization and analysis methods can improve the chances of identifying potential threats at the transistor level.

Relying on the integrity of processor manufacturers is impractical. Security services must rely on objective technical data, not personal opinions about the reliability of companies. Effective protection requires factual analysis and a critical assessment of equipment capabilities to ensure information security and protection.

Rosatom's interest in MCST is likely due to the fact that the RTL architecture of Elbrus processors was developed in Russia. This circumstance increases trust in this product, especially in the context of ensuring national security and technological independence. Choosing local developments reduces dependence on foreign technologies and promotes the development of the domestic IT industry.

JSC MCST is a Russian developer of general-purpose VLIW microprocessors under the Elbrus brand. In December 2021, Rosatom announced plans to acquire a controlling stake in the company, demonstrating growing interest in domestically produced technologies. MCST is actively promoting its solutions on the market, offering high-performance microprocessors that find application in various fields, including computing systems, scientific research, and industrial solutions. The Elbrus development helps strengthen Russia's position in the high-tech sector and reduce its dependence on imported components.

Creating Chromebook Analogs Based on Russian Processors: Reality or Myth?

Developing a processor in Russia capable of competing with global leaders is becoming an increasingly important topic. Current realities in the semiconductor market require in-depth analysis and the search for effective solutions. Success in this area can significantly change the country's technological landscape and ensure its independence in critical technologies. In a globally competitive environment, it is necessary to focus on scientific research, investment in innovation, and collaboration with leading experts.

Russian manufacturers face a serious challenge related to high development and production costs. For example, if the cost of creating a new chip is $20 million, and production volume is limited to 100,000 units, the price of one chip reaches $200. Offering competitive prices requires a significant increase in production volumes, which requires significant investment and subsidies. Sustainable development and price reduction are only possible through optimization of production processes and the attraction of additional financial resources.

Russian companies, including Baikal Electronics and the Elvis Scientific and Production Center, are actively developing their own chips. However, they face serious competition from major players such as Qualcomm and MediaTek. These international corporations produce billions of chips, allowing them to significantly reduce production costs and, consequently, the prices of their products. In the face of such competitive pressure, Russian developers need to seek unique solutions and innovative approaches to successfully integrate into the market and offer consumers high-quality and affordable chips.

Government measures, such as import substitution and subsidies, can significantly contribute to the growth of processor production "Baikal" and "Elvis." These chips have potential for use in low-cost Linux-based computers designed for government agencies and educational institutions. Interestingly, in the US, Chromebooks running Chrome OS, which is based on the Linux kernel, are leading in educational institutions. This underscores the growing interest in affordable and effective Linux-based solutions in education.

History confirms the effectiveness of such strategies. In his book "The Great Depression Revisited," Paul Krugman describes how Japanese authorities supported key sectors of the economy from the 1950s to the 1980s through subsidies and import restrictions. These measures not only contributed to economic growth but also to the entry of Japanese companies into international markets. This experience can serve as an example for modern countries seeking to develop and strengthen their economies.

Japanese companies were able to test their technologies in the domestic market, which subsequently contributed to successful exports. Applying a similar approach to supporting domestic chips such as Baikal and Elvis can help Russian manufacturers carve out a niche in the market. Effective support and testing of technologies at the domestic level create the foundation for international competitiveness.

World-Class Microelectronics: Opportunities for Russian Companies

Russian companies such as Mikron and Angstrom are capable of not only developing but also producing microelectronics that meet global standards. To achieve this level, the integration of advanced technologies is critical, as they improve the quality and competitiveness of products. Modern production processes such as lithography and packaging of microelectronic components require the use of state-of-the-art technologies and equipment, which in turn facilitates the creation of high-tech products. It is also important to establish cooperation with international research centers and universities to exchange experience and implement innovations. Thus, the development of domestic microelectronics is possible with the active use of modern technologies and international experience.

Understanding the term "world class" is not always associated with the use of the most modern technologies. While 3-nanometer chips are actively discussed in the media, older manufacturing processes, such as 5 and 7 nanometers, continue to be in demand. For example, widely used STM32 microcontrollers are manufactured using technology with dimensions from 130 to 40 nanometers. These chips are not obsolete; they can include modern solutions for peripherals and processor cores, which makes them suitable for solving various problems. Modern developments based on these technologies provide reliability and high performance, which allows them to be used in a wide variety of fields, including industry, automation and IoT.

Russian factories "Mikron" and "Angstrom" While they have the capabilities to produce microcontrollers, they face challenges related to yield and volume. The semiconductor manufacturing process involves multiple stages, each with its own level of defectiveness. Efficient semiconductor manufacturing requires optimization of all stages to maximize the number of good chips and, consequently, reduce production costs. This is critical to ensuring competitiveness in the microcontroller market and meeting the needs of various industries.

Russian companies must focus on increasing the level of processor optimization to match Western counterparts. It is important to protect them from competition from companies such as ST and NXP, especially in segments where domestic microcontrollers are competitive. An example is the production of components for smart electricity meters, where Russian solutions can meet growing demand and ensure high quality. Support for domestic manufacturers in such areas promotes technological development and strengthens market positions.

Domestic Developments: Architecture and Microarchitecture

Some Russian chips are developed using licensed cores from foreign companies. However, domestic solutions are also available on the market. It is important to understand the difference between architecture and microarchitecture. Architecture is a set of instructions with which a programmer interacts, while microarchitecture describes the implementation of these instructions at the hardware component level. This knowledge is critical for evaluating the performance and functionality of processors, as well as for developing effective software solutions based on them.

Unique microcontroller solutions have been developed in Russia to date. The Mikron factory has introduced a microcontroller based on the open RISC-V architecture from Syntacore. This combination is ideal for many projects, since the architecture is defined by an international organization, and the microarchitecture is created in Russia. Such developments allow domestic companies to utilize modern technologies, providing a high degree of flexibility and adaptability in the creation of new products.

CloudBEAR develops RISC-V cores, highlighting its expertise in creating modern architectures. Both companies are actively working not only on microcontroller cores but also on high-performance solutions for use in processors for Wi-Fi modems and smartphones. Such developments open new horizons for device performance and energy efficiency, which is an important aspect in the context of rapid technological development.

Despite significant competition in the global market, projects such as Syntacore and CloudBEAR have the potential to expand beyond Russia thanks to the support of large corporations. For example, Syntacore was acquired by Yadro, strengthening its position on the international stage. CloudBEAR, in turn, attracted investment from Baikal Electronics, which also opens new opportunities for growth and development. These companies can occupy a significant niche in the international technology market by offering innovative solutions and high-quality products.

The Future of Windows: Necessity or Obsolescence?

The Elbrus project is an ambitious initiative to develop its own processors and A unique processor architecture in Russia. This could have a significant impact on the development of domestic microelectronics, contributing to the country's increased technological independence. The creation of high-performance processors and architectures tailored to the needs of the Russian market will open up new opportunities for the creation of innovative technologies and products. Support for such projects could lead to increased scientific research and the development of high technologies in the country, as well as facilitate the creation of new jobs in the IT and electronics sectors. It is important to note that the successful implementation of the Elbrus project could significantly contribute to strengthening Russia's position in the global technology market.

The development of a unique microarchitecture and processor source code can provide effective protection against threats such as hardware backdoors. However, it is important to consider the feasibility of creating a custom architecture within the context of existing instruction sets. There are many factors to consider, including development cost, time to market, and compatibility with existing technologies. Creating a custom architecture can provide significant security benefits, but it requires significant investment and resources. It is necessary to carefully weigh all the pros and cons before deciding to develop a custom processor architecture.

Companies using their own architecture face the need to support their own software ecosystem, including compilers and operating systems. This creates significant limitations for the Elbrus architecture outside of Russia. Supporting unique software solutions requires significant resources and effort, limiting the opportunities for the implementation and development of Elbrus technologies internationally.

The Elbrus architecture is built on the VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word) concept, which enables parallel execution of groups of instructions. Although VLIW was popular back in the 1980s, its effectiveness decreases when using three-level caches. This can cause significant variations in the cycle costs of memory operations, which is an important aspect for optimizing processor performance. When working with the Elbrus architecture, it is important to consider the impact of caching on the overall efficiency of program execution, as it directly impacts data processing speed and overall system performance.

This circumstance raises doubts about the advantages of the VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word) architecture in the context of general computing. This limits its application primarily to specific niches, such as digital signal processing and supercomputers, where memory performance characteristics are known in advance. However, VLIW can be effective in tasks requiring highly parallel data processing, making it relevant for certain high-performance computing tasks.

Since its inception, the Elbrus team has aimed to emulate the Intel x86 architecture, which made it possible to run the Windows operating system on its processors. However, the performance of such solutions does not always meet user requirements, which raises an important question: how necessary is Windows in today's environment? Considering alternative operating systems could open new horizons for users seeking to optimize their experience with Elbrus hardware.

In recent years, governments, including China and European countries, have been actively adopting the Linux operating system in government agencies. Similar trends are also observed in Russia. This transition could significantly impact the domestic processor market, as demand for compatible hardware solutions and Linux-optimized systems will increase. As a result, Russian manufacturers could gain new opportunities to develop and implement innovative processor technologies, increasing their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. The transition to Linux could also foster increased interest in open-source development and greater independence from foreign technologies.

The transition of government agencies and educational institutions to the Linux operating system could significantly simplify the development and adaptation of processors manufactured by companies such as Baikal and Syntacore. However, this transition is encountering some resistance in the educational environment. Many teachers are unwilling to abandon their familiar operating systems, which complicates the implementation of Linux in the educational process. It is important to take into account that the transition to Linux not only contributes to the development of domestic software, but also increases the level of digital literacy among students, preparing them for the modern requirements of the IT industry.

One of the main problems associated with the Linux operating system is the lack of support Drivers for non-standard hardware. For example, when installing a new version of Linux on older laptops, users may encounter Wi-Fi connection issues. In contrast, Baikal-based systems have a fixed configuration, making such issues much easier. Improving driver compatibility and hardware optimization remain important aspects for Linux users, especially those with older devices.

Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the replacement of MS Office with LibreOffice on the Linux operating system. In recent years, alternatives such as Google Docs have become increasingly popular due to their features and convenience. In this regard, it is worth noting that Yandex.Documents could also find its niche in the office applications market, offering users a convenient and accessible tool for working with documents online.

Some programs, such as AutoCAD, are developed exclusively for the Windows operating system. Despite the availability of alternative solutions, AutoCAD remains the standard in educational institutions and various competitions. This makes the issue of Windows support relevant for users involved in design and architecture. AutoCAD support on Windows provides convenience and access to the necessary tools for students and professionals in this field.

The mass migration of users to computers with domestic processors and the Linux operating system could significantly accelerate the development of Russian microelectronics and increase demand for software. This trend will attract the attention of large companies, such as 1C, to the Baikal and Skif processors, which, in turn, will create new opportunities for domestic developers and manufacturers. Support for local technologies will not only strengthen the economy but also reduce dependence on foreign solutions in critical areas.

The transition to creating a holding company uniting Baikal Electronics and the developer of Astra Linux has already begun. This step demonstrates serious intentions and a strategic approach to development. A key aspect of the successful implementation of this initiative is cooperation with hardware manufacturers, which will ensure the stability and sustainability of the project in the long term.

The Fate of T-Platforms: From Pioneers to Crisis

T-Platforms occupies an important place in the field of domestic technologies, especially in the development of Baikal processors. However, it is currently facing serious difficulties. Vsevolod Opanasenko, the company's owner, is under house arrest, and the company's financial situation is approaching bankruptcy. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is demanding the return of 3 billion rubles previously allocated in subsidies. Under these circumstances, the company's prospects are significantly in doubt. How will T-Platforms overcome current challenges and restore its reputation in the high-tech market?

Despite the current difficulties, T-Platforms continues to occupy a prominent place in Russia's high-tech sector. Their flagship project, the Lomonosov supercomputer, ranked 13th in the world in computing power, has become the foundation for subsequent developments in this field. However, the company faced significant legal obstacles when it was blacklisted by the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). This decision jeopardized T-Platform's access to American technology, which could have a significant impact on the company's future innovation and development.

Despite the difficulties, T-Platform remained steadfast and successfully won the US court case, allowing it to continue its operations. In 2012, T-Platform spun off its subsidiary, Baikal Electronics, which established partnerships with global leaders such as Synopsys and TSMC. This confirmed the high level of competence of Russian specialists in processor design and opened new horizons for further development in the field of high technology.

The Baikal-T1 processor became one of the first multi-core chips in Russia with cache coherence. This significant achievement for domestic microelectronics opened up new opportunities, despite existing difficulties. However, the implementation of these technologies in police vehicles encountered bureaucratic obstacles, which ultimately led to bankruptcy and criminal proceedings against Opanasenko. It is important to note that the development of high-tech solutions such as the Baikal-T1 has the potential to improve not only security but also other sectors, contributing to the increased competitiveness of the Russian economy.

The path to progress in Russia often faces serious challenges. T-Platforms has demonstrated that it is possible to create high-performance systems even in the face of skepticism. Their achievements, despite numerous obstacles, will occupy an important place in the history of the domestic microelectronics industry, which is only just beginning to develop and has significant potential for future success. Technological advancement and investment in innovation are opening new horizons for Russian microelectronics, strengthening the country's position in the global market.

Revised text:

Be sure to read the additional materials:

• "A Colossal Miscalculation." Why T-Platform's bankruptcy will be a blow to Russia's development. The case of Group-IB's founder. What is known about Ilya Sachkov's arrest. The myth of Silicon Valley. Are venture capital investments changing the world? Goodbye, leather bag. Analyzing the global market for anthropomorphic robots
• Falling into singularity: how technology is changing laws, business, and us