From a young engineer to a national advanced worker, he has spent twenty-five years forging a path illuminated by patriotism in the field of embedded basic software, with unwavering faith, exceptional wisdom, and relentless effort, creating the electronic equipment operating system known as the ‘Chinese Soul’, laying the foundation for high-end equipment with craftsmanship. He is Li Jian, Chief Expert of China Electronics Technology Group and Director of the Basic Software Department at the 32nd Research Institute of CETC.
Starting Point: Building a Dream for Domestic Operating Systems
In 2000, at the age of 22, Li Jian graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China, filled with hopes and expectations for the future, and joined the 32nd Research Institute of CETC. At that time, Li Jian was young but full of energy. The 32nd Institute, recognizing the urgent need for independent innovation of embedded operating systems for high-end electronic equipment, established the Operating System Department, focusing on the development of embedded basic software products. With a solid professional foundation, a passion for serving the country, and an indomitable spirit, Li Jian quickly stood out in the team and became a core member of the R&D team.
During those challenging years of R&D, Li Jian and his team members spent countless days and nights in the laboratory. Faced with technical challenges, they did not retreat. After relentless efforts, in 2003, the domestically produced embedded real-time operating system ‘Ruihua’ version 1.0 was launched, marking the power of independent research and development in the field of domestic embedded software.
Innovative Breakthrough:Upgrading the ‘Ruihua’ System
In the following twenty years, Li Jian took on heavy responsibilities, successively leading major national projects in embedded basic software during the 11th, 12th, and 13th Five-Year Plans. The ‘Ruihua’ embedded real-time operating system and development environment products he led have continuously evolved, now reaching version 6.1, achieving domestic leadership and international advanced levels, becoming a shining business card in the field of major equipment for independent innovation in China. The ‘Ruihua’ products are widely used in various fields including land, sea, air, and space, equipping various types of equipment such as early warning detection, ground radar, and vehicle electronics with the ‘Chinese Soul’, establishing a foothold for key software of domestic operating systems in high-end equipment.
At the same time, the Galaxy Ruihua terminal operating system, led by Li Jian, has also made significant breakthroughs. Targeting domestic mobile low-power platforms, he led the team to overcome key technical challenges in secure operating environments, communication processing, and intelligent human-computer interaction, making this operating system the ‘smart brain’ for dedicated handheld/tablet terminals. Behind the application of tens of thousands of equipment is a solid force ensuring national defense security.
Building Security:Hardcore Protection of National Key Equipment
On the road of technological innovation, Li Jian is well aware of the stringent requirements for the safety and reliability of operating systems for high-end equipment. The embedded real-time operating system security certification product ReWorks Cert, which he led the development of, is the first operating system in China to pass the international functional safety standards IEC 61508 SIL3 and EN 50128 SIL4, becoming a source of pride for domestic software. It is now widely used in various fields including rail transit, industrial control, nuclear power, medical, aerospace, and shipping. Behind the smooth operation of Shanghai Metro Lines 15 and 18, the efficient operation of the new railway control system, the exploration of the universe by the space station’s electronic information comprehensive application system, and the successful operation of the first domestic embedded full-stack localization control system at the Huadian Bianshan Wind Farm, there is the presence of the ‘Ruihua’ operating system, safeguarding the safety of national key equipment.
Keeping pace with the development of the times, Li Jian has also turned his attention to emerging fields. In response to the industrialization trend of robotics and artificial intelligence, and the application needs of unmanned intelligent equipment, he led the development of basic software for unmanned equipment based on domestic embedded operating systems, successfully conducting application verification on ground unmanned vehicles and underwater unmanned submarines, injecting core power into the development of unmanned intelligent equipment in China.
Talent Development and Strengthening the Chain: Building an Independent Ecological System
In Li Jian’s view, talent is the first resource for technological innovation. As the department head, he has spared no effort in talent team building. In May 2015, he took the lead in creating the ‘Li Jian Innovation Studio’, training over a hundred outstanding talents in the field of embedded basic software; as a master’s supervisor, he has taught and mentored more than ten excellent master’s students in the past three years, who have now grown into a new force in the field of embedded software.
Li Jian actively promotes the construction of the industrial chain, closely integrating the application needs of domestic embedded CPUs such as Loongson and Feiteng with key enterprises in industrial control equipment, creating solutions that are independent, integrated, and optimized for specific fields. At the same time, he actively builds common technology platforms and experimental verification environments in the field, collaboratively creating functional platforms and optimizing the ecosystem. In promoting collaborative innovation between industry, academia, and research, he actively promotes deep cooperation between enterprises and universities, establishing strategic partnerships with eight top universities including Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Science and Technology of China. This cooperation model not only provides a practical platform for university students but also cultivates a team of technical elites capable of tackling tough challenges for enterprises.
On the road of exploration and struggle, Li Jian always remembers the original mission of researchers. He runs and tackles challenges, continuously breaking through the theoretical and technical bottlenecks of embedded basic software, focusing on the independent innovation development needs of major national infrastructure high-end equipment and special electronic equipment. He takes one step at a time, writing a brilliant chapter of advanced workers on the road to a strong technological nation.
▌Source: Party and Mass Work Department, Basic Software Department