A new series of microcontrollers have been developed in Qingdao's Laoshan, featuring improved performance and reduced power consumption, further establishing the district as an innovative hub for the microelectronics industry.

Developed by Hexin Hulian Technology (Qingdao), the Xuanji CLE series of microcontrollers can be used across a range of applications, from smart products and appliances to industrial control and internet of things.

Compared with similar overseas products, the Xuanji CLE microcontrollers are more efficient and are cheaper to manufacture, the company said.

Hu Kangqiao, CEO of Hexin Hulian, said microcontrollers will be widely used in China's manufacturing industry, helping it to push ahead with upgrading and become more intelligent. He added that the product's capabilities in sensing will allow for greater communication and data sharing in the manufacturing industry, as well as contributing toward research and development.

The microcontrollers are one of the latest achievements made in Laoshan district, which is playing a pivotal role in Qingdao's greater microelectronics industry.

The government lists microelectronics as an important part of the development of strategic emerging industries. Laoshan has made efforts to become a key research and development area for microelectronics, with the goal of being known as the "Qingdao Chip Valley", according to Jiang Duntao, Party secretary of Laoshan district.

In 2018, a Qingdao microelectronics innovation center was established in Laoshan district, which is a State-owned enterprise solely owned by the Laoshan district government. The center works to provide services and resources covering the entire integrated circuit industrial chain to enterprises, enabling them to exchange expertise and carry out cooperation, as well as facilitate the incubation of new technologies and products.

While attracting integrated circuit design enterprises, the microelectronics innovation center has placed greater importance on the development of the entire industrial chain, so as to push chip applications.

Laoshan district has attracted 38 microelectronics industry projects, and more than 20 enterprises have settled at the microelectronics innovation center. They include Siflower, which developed the first wireless routing gateway chip in the Chinese mainland; mCube, provider of the world's smallest MEMS motion sensors, who jointly built a intelligent control sensor laboratory with Haier; and Qstsking, a professional integrated circuit training organization that trains more than 500 personnel each year.

Another important move to improve Laoshan district's R&D strength is the establishment of the Qingdao Electronic Design Automation Center. The center was jointly established by Laoshan district government, the Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Dawning Information Industry in April 2018.

The center provides integrated circuit design companies with software services, design consultation, intellectual property services, talent cultivation, technical training and other public services.

It is serving to help enterprises solve common problems and promote the rapid formation of an integrated circuit industry chain, local officials said.