There are many ways to classify chips; if we randomly interview 10 industry leaders, we might get 10 different answers. 
For example, according to the signal processing method, they can be divided into analog chips and digital chips. 
According to the design concept, they can be divided into general-purpose chips and special-purpose chips. 
According to the application field, they can be divided into aerospace-grade chips, automotive-grade chips, industrial-grade chips, and commercial-grade chips. 
According to the process, they can also be divided into 7nm chips, 14nm chips, 28nm chips... 
Companies often say: Our main business is CPU chips/memory chips. This is actually a classification from the application function perspective. 
Today, we will take Iron Man as an example, starting from the application function perspective and using human beings as an analogy, to conduct a detailed classification.

1. Processor Chips 
Processor chips are equivalent to the human brain, used for thinking, analysis, and calculation. 
Central Processing Unit (CPU): It is the core of system operation and control, and the final execution unit for information processing and program operation.

When it comes to CPUs, it's hard not to immediately think of Intel; the world's first commercially available processor was the Intel 4004.

Besides Intel, AMD, IBM, and Qualcomm are representative companies that design CPU chips.

Good domestic CPU companies include Huawei, Loongson, Hygon, and Beijing Kunzheng. 
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Also called a visual processor or display chip, it is a microprocessor that generally performs image and graphics-related calculations on computers and mobile devices.

Intel, Nvidia, and AMD are representative companies in the GPU field.

In the past two years, the domestic GPU market has also blossomed, with companies such as Biren, Moore Threads, XMC, and Jingjiawei releasing domestic GPUs. 
Digital Signal Processor (DSP): It is a unique microprocessor that processes large amounts of information using digital signals.

In addition to the audio and video fields, DSPs can also be found in automatic control, radar, military, aerospace, medical, and household appliances.

Microchip, TI, ADI, and ARM are representative companies in the DSP chip field. 
Microcontroller Unit (MCU): It integrates computing, storage, and interfaces onto a single chip, forming a chip-level computer.

MCUs have a wide range of uses, but their largest application scenario is still automobiles; a car contains more than 70 MCU chips.

Domestic and foreign representative companies in the MCU chip field include: Renesas Electronics, NXP, ST, Huada Semiconductor, Silan Microelectronics, and Fudan Microelectronics. 
2. Memory Chips 
Memory chips are equivalent to the human cerebral cortex, used to store information and data.

In psychology, human memory can be divided into sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Similarly, memory chips also have different types and play different roles.

Static Random Access Memory (SRAM): As long as the power is on, the stored data can be constantly maintained; however, once the power is off, the data will be lost. It is a volatile memory. 
Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM): It can only maintain data for a very short time, so it needs to be refreshed periodically while powered on to keep the data unchanged; once the power is off, the data will be lost. It is also a volatile memory. 
Read-Only Memory (ROM): Once information is written, it is fixed, and the information will not be lost even if the power is cut off. It is a non-volatile memory. 
Flash Memory (Flash): It can maintain data for a long time regardless of whether the power is on or off, or whether the data is refreshed. Like ROM, it is a non-volatile memory. 
China, as the world's largest memory chip market, has long relied on imports for memory chips.

Currently, the memory market is monopolized by foreign giants, especially DRAM; the market share of Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron alone is over 94%.

In order to break through the memory chip market, many domestic memory chip companies are now emerging, such as YMTC, CXMT, GigaDevice, Huatian Technology, and Fudan Microelectronics. 
3. Sensors 
Sensors are equivalent to human senses, which can perceive/measure sounds, images, temperature, humidity, pressure, and light signals in life. 
CMOS Image Sensor (CIS): It is an electronic device that converts optical images into electronic signals, equivalent to the human retina; it is indispensable for image capture in mobile phones, cameras, and even satellites.

Domestic and foreign representative companies in the CIS field include: Sony, Samsung, OmniVision, and Galaxycore. 
Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS): It is a system that integrates microcircuits and micromechanical components on a chip according to functional requirements.

It is widely used in mobile phones, such as magnetic sensors, fingerprint sensors, and environmental sensors.

Domestic and foreign representative companies in the MEMS field include: Broadcom, Bosch, GoerTek Microelectronics, MEMSensing, and Silan Microelectronics. 
Touch/Touch Control Chip (Touch) ： The mobile phones and tablet computers we use daily contain touch chips; these chips have sensitive automatic identification and tracking functions for environmental changes.

Representative domestic and international companies in the touch chip field include: Atmel, BYD, Morningstar Semiconductor, and Goodix. 
IV. Power Chips 
Power chips are like the human heart, providing nutrients to other organs in the body.

Power chips can provide power to ASICs, DSPs, CPUs, Memory, FPGAs, and other digital or analog loads.

DC/DC Power Chips (DCDC): Refers to a power supply that converts direct current to direct current, a type of switching power supply chip (the other type is AC/DC).

Compared to AC/DC, the design technology and production process of DC/DC are mature and standardized both domestically and internationally. 
LDO Low-Dropout Linear Regulator (LDO): It is a voltage regulator. In electronic design, different DC voltages are often needed to power different devices, which can be achieved through LDO voltage regulator chips. 
Power Management Unit (PMU): It is a highly integrated and more portable power management solution that can achieve higher power conversion efficiency and lower power consumption. 
Representative domestic and international companies in the power chip field include: Xin Yuan System, TI, Infineon, Toshiba, Rockchip, Sanbang Microelectronics, Shanghai Belling, etc. 
V. Communication Chips 
Communication chips are like the human nervous system, transmitting information and data everywhere.

Bluetooth Chip (Bluetooth): Bluetooth is frequently used; it is a short-range wireless connection technology that supports the transmission of sound and images.

Representative companies in the Bluetooth chip field include: Qualcomm, Cypress, Dialog, ST, and Unisoc. 
Wireless Chip (WIFI): Needless to say, it's essential for surfing the internet and is also a type of short-range wireless communication.

Representative companies in the WIFI chip field include: Qualcomm, Broadcom, Marvell, MediaTek, Realtek, and Espressif. 
Narrowband Internet of Things Chip (NB-IoT): It is a long-range wireless communication technology belonging to a wide area network. It can be applied to various fields such as smart metering, smart streetlights, smart parking, and shared bicycles.

Representative companies in the NB-IoT chip field include: Qualcomm, Huawei, ZTE Microelectronics, MediaTek, and Unisoc. 
VI. Interface Chips 
Interface chips are like human "limbs." They can also be used to transmit information and data. 
Universal Serial Bus Chip (USB): It is an external bus standard and an interface technology used in PCs and mobile phones.

It is also something we come into contact with quite often in our daily lives, such as the USB ports on computers and the USB charging cables for mobile phones, which are closely related to our lives.

Representative companies in the USB chip field include: Cypress, NXP, and Allwinner Technology. 
High-Definition Multimedia Interface Chip (HDMI): It is a fully digital video and audio transmission interface that can transmit uncompressed audio and video signals.

Laptops, televisions, and set-top boxes in our daily lives have HDMI interfaces. Representative companies in the HDMI chip field include: Toshiba, ADI, and Allwinner Technology.