Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 64, Institute 607: We want to join!

Engineer Zhu put his feet down, rubbed his stomach, and continued walking forward: "This radar was given to our 607 Institute by the higher-ups. It's good that you didn't touch it. Now, hand this radar over to me so I can take it back and study it..."

"Engineer Zhu, this radar was coordinated for us by Leader Liu from the electronics industry system. He said it was unwanted by the relevant unit, so what's going on with you..."

Upon hearing Qin Liang's words, the others also realized what was going on.

"A good horse doesn't eat the grass it has already grazed. You didn't want it, you threw it at us like trash, why should we take it back now?"

"That's right, Engineer Zhu, this radar belongs to our Department of Electronic Engineering. If you dare to move it out of this room... you'll be in for a world of trouble!"

"Gentlemen, I admit that I made the wrong choice back then. I thought vacuum tube technology was outdated... Now, please give it back to me... If it stays with you, it can only be used for teaching. Only in the hands of us researchers can it play a greater role. I have already decided to transistorize it..."

At this point, Engineer Zhu paused, then said, "Gentlemen, I can't go on any longer, or it will be a leak. Airborne radar is one of our top secrets..."

"What? Changing vacuum tubes to transistors, and that's considered top secret? After all this time, it's still just an analog radar." The teacher from Northwestern Polytechnical University on the other end of the line was quite disdainful.

"Yeah, do you think you can digitize it?"

"Yes."

what?
Engineer Zhu's eyes widened: "You have this ability?"

“What’s so difficult about that…” The teacher glanced at Qin Liang: “Qin Liang, can you explain our technical approach to him?”

"Professor Gao, just say it. Anyway, the other side is a professional in airborne radar. Let us amateurs explain our technical approach to him and let him give us some pointers."

Engineer Zhu was a little confused. These teachers were all listening to one student? What was going on?

"Okay, let's keep the radar transmitter and receiver and modify them from the back. First, we'll do the D/A and A/D conversion... Engineer Zhu, as someone in this field, you should know what this means, right?"

Engineer Zhu shook his head: "I've spent half my life working with analog circuits, and I really don't understand digital circuits."

Back when Factory 132 was importing avionics equipment from Marconi, Mr. Tu encountered this problem: all the technicians in the factory were skilled in analog circuits, and when Westerners talked about digital circuits, they were completely clueless!
What to do? Learn! By the time the negotiations are over, you'll already be an expert in digital circuits!

Unless it is an active phased array radar, in which the transmitting and receiving units are also digital, other radars use analog circuits for this part, with the digital part coming later!
"Okay, let me explain. This is analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion. This allows you to switch between digital and analog circuits. One important parameter is the sampling rate; the higher the rate, the more accurate the resulting digital model. Then it goes into the subsequent processing circuit, where a microprocessor analyzes the data. In particular, to filter out ground clutter, Fourier transforms are needed..."

"Wait, microprocessor?"

"That's right, digital transformation is all about using microprocessors to analyze massive amounts of data!"

Engineer Zhu sighed: "Alright, I admit, the technology at our Institute 607 can't compare to that of Northwestern Polytechnical University... like this machine..."

Engineer Zhu's gaze remained fixed on the prototype, tinged with reluctance: "This prototype is now entrusted to you. I hope you can develop an advanced airborne radar as soon as possible to fill the gap in our equipment..." The 204 radar was fraught with problems, and their 607 Institute really couldn't afford to survey and replicate the MiG-23's radar, not to mention that Northwestern Polytechnical University's technical solution was even more advanced. As for whether this technology could be developed... that was not Engineer Zhu's responsibility.

Seeing Zhu's reluctant expression, Qin Liang's eyes darted around: "Zhu, how about we do joint research and development together?"

The teachers present were taken aback. Some were displeased, and Gao Jinchuan was about to speak when Qin Liang continued, "Although your technology can't compare to ours, you are, after all, professionals in this field, and your institute has all sorts of specialized equipment..."

Once airborne radar is built, it won't be installed directly on an aircraft. It must undergo a series of tests on the ground, including vibration tests, high and low temperature tests, high power withstand pressure tests, high temperature and low pressure tests, ventilation and heat dissipation tests, and static fire control integration tests, etc.

Northwestern Polytechnical University doesn't have the necessary resources, and we'll have to find a professional organization to help us in the future. It would be better to invite them to work together on the research and development. Although they are all involved in analog circuits, they have many years of research and development experience!

When Qin Liang mentioned the equipment, everyone fell silent. Director Zhu then spoke up: "Engineer Zhu, on behalf of the Department of Electronic Engineering at Northwestern Polytechnical University, I welcome you to join this research and development project!"

Engineer Zhu took a deep breath: "On behalf of Institute 607, I am willing to join this project! However..."

Qin Liang also breathed a sigh of relief.

Factory 132 only worked on the airframe, while the Capital Aviation Academy helped with the engine and upgraded the power. If we also get the airborne radar working, then we'll have everything!
Of course, imported goods are better, but imports are not always reliable, so we need to rely on both domestic and international sources.

By the way, why haven't those computers arrived yet...?

Just then, footsteps could be heard outside.

"Qin Liang, Qin Liang, are you done here? If you are, hurry back!"

"Old Sha, why are you in such a hurry? Don't worry, our Department of Electronic Engineering won't be like the Department of Mathematics..." Director Zhu looked at Professor Sha with a smile.

"The computer, the IBM computer has arrived!" Professor Sha said breathlessly.

"Great, we've finally arrived! Teachers, I'm heading back now!"

Watching Qin Liang's departing figure, Engineer Zhu had a complicated expression. This young man actually needed his teacher to come and call him personally. Just who is he? Wait, there are also... three IBM computers?
The Fifth Department Office Building is located next to the Double Triangle Wing Project Office.

This used to be a data room, but now all the data has been moved out, the walls have been repainted, the floor has been paved with terrazzo, and even the windows have been replaced with steel ones for better sealing. There's even an air conditioner standing in the corner!
Just then, the machines, still in their packaging boxes, were being moved in. Director Luo looked at the machines with satisfaction when a voice reached his ears.

"Old Luo, Northwestern Polytechnical University has really gone all out this time! Shenyang Blower Factory, which is under our industrial system, has been researching a project to use computers to assist in production. If this project is successful, it will be expanded nationwide! This kind of IBM computer is exactly what we need. You can allocate one to Shenyang Blower Factory!"

　PS: Thank you to reader Galileo's Smile for the reward! Thank you to all readers for your votes and clicks, please continue reading!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)