Digital voltmeter technology acquisition

China began its development of digital voltmeter at a fairly early stage. In 1965, the Beijing Radio Technology Research Bureau had already built a 5 digit voltmeter whose technical performance was comparable to the international standards at that time. However, at the present time, of the more than 50 models of 5 digit voltmeters produced by State designated factories, only 2 or 3 use the international standard interface and microcomputer technology; furthermore, due to the limited capability in processing, equipment and testing, they cannot be mass produced. As a result, the gap between the Chinese standard and international standard in digital voltmeter is further widened. The Beijing Radio Technology Institute prepared a plan to import the manufacturing technology of the 8520A digital system multimeters from the U.S. FLUKE Co., by using foreign exchange funds designated for mechanical and electrical instruments under the joint technology and trade program. In September 1981, an official contract and an agreement for technology cooperation were signed. The items imported to the 8520A technology and trade program can be divided into several stages: (1) import automated test and standard systems which are built using advanced technologies of the 1980's; (2) train personnel and begin production; (3) import key production equipment to coordinate with China's existing facilities; (4) modify the production lines based on FLUKE's advanced technology and begin CKD production; and (5) use the results of imported technologies in other research projects to stimulate development in related technologies.