The instrumentation industry is a new type of industry that has developed in China. While aligning with the industry, China's instrumentation industry has made significant progress and possesses competitive strength.

　　Current level and development trend of domestic technology

The overall comprehensive technical level of the instrumentation industry has reached a mid-term level, with microelectronics and computer technology widely used in instrumentation products. About 15% of products have achieved intelligence, reaching the level of the 1990s; 30% of products have achieved digitalization, reaching the final level. Significant improvement in comprehensive service capabilities: capable of undertaking large-scale engineering control projects such as 300000 to 600000 kW thermal power plants, nuclear power plants, 300000 tons of synthetic ammonia, 120 tons of converters, 300000 cubic meters per day urban gas station projects, and complete sets of large-scale furnaces.

The degree of satisfaction of major product categories: the domestic market satisfaction rate of scientific testing instruments is 30%, and the satisfaction rate of medium and low-end scientific instruments is 65%; The variety satisfaction rate of production process measurement and control instruments and system products in large-scale engineering projects reaches 50%, and in small and medium-sized projects it reaches 70%. Imported products are often major and critical equipment required for scientific research and production, with high technological content and added value.

The industry has developed from scratch, from small to large, and has initially formed a relatively complete system of instrument and meter production, scientific research, and marketing. A number of scientific research and development institutions have been established, including 20 specialized research institutes for mechanical system instrumentation, 3 engineering research centers, 5 enterprise technology centers, and 9 product quality testing centers; Trained a group of professional business, management, and technical talents. Especially for some mid to low end products, they have formed their own advantages and characteristics. Various digital multimeters, electricity meters, water meters, gas meters, level gauges, mid to low end optical microscopes, telescopes, and other products are among the world's leading in production. While basically meeting domestic needs, they are exported in large quantities.

Through various forms such as technological breakthroughs, joint development, joint ventures, and the introduction of technology for digestion, absorption, and localization, the leading products in China's instrumentation industry have narrowed the gap with advanced levels and formed production capacity. The main products independently developed include small and medium-sized DCS, fieldbus intelligent instruments, bus based testing systems, automotive inspection and testing equipment, ultrasonic diagnostic instruments, microwave plasma spectroscopy, new diffusion silicon sensitive components, etc. The main products imported and localized with technology include recorders, precision control valves, new transmitters, spectra, chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, water quality analyzers, composite materials, etc; The main products of the joint venture cooperation include large DCS, EJA, flow meters, electronic theodolites, dynamic balance testing machines, high and low temperature testing instruments, etc.

A group of state-owned, collective, private, and foreign-funded enterprises and research institutes have stood out in the industry through market competition and demonstrated good development momentum and momentum, forming a leading and core force.

　　Current level and development trend of foreign technology

Digitization and intelligence

Due to the advancement of microelectronics technology, instrumentation products are further integrated with microprocessors and PC technology, and the level of digitization and intelligence of instrumentation is constantly improving. Taking the "DSPS" concept proposed by Texas Instruments in the United States as an example, a solution for the entire application system is provided with DSP chips as the core, combined with advanced mixed signal circuits, ASIC circuits, components, and development tools.

A large number of new devices such as Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI), Surface Mount Technology (SMT), Multi Layer Circuit Board Printing, Wafer Scale Integration (WSI), and Multi Chip Modules (MCM) have been adopted in instruments and meters. Computer aided methods such as CAD, CAM, CAPP, CAT have enabled multimedia technology, human-computer interaction, fuzzy control, artificial neural networks, and other new technologies to be widely applied in modern instruments and meters.

　Networking

The current development of fieldbus and intelligent instruments presents a situation of coexistence and development of multiple buses and their instruments. HART, FF, Profibus, Lonworks, WorldFIP, CAN and other buses are constantly expanding from being applied in one field to other fields.

Various intelligent instruments and meters have been gradually introduced to the market, and instruments and meters are undergoing profound intelligent transformation. The integrated testing system has also moved towards networking, with each instrument connected through GPIB bus and VXI bus.

　　miniaturization

MEMS is one of the key areas of development in developed countries in the mid to late stage, and is regarded as a widely used new technology in the 21st century. The sensor and signal processing technology, which is listed as one of the 22 major technologies that have a significant impact on national security and prosperity in the United States, mainly relies on miniaturization technology. Micro instruments and meters utilizing MEMS technology are known as on-chip instruments and meters. MEMS products include automotive accelerometers, pressure, chemical, flow sensors, micro spectrometers, and other products, which are widely used in fields such as environmental science, aerospace, biomedicine, automotive industry, military, and industrial control.