Ren Jingwei, a radar engineer at China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp's Second Academy, used to design defense technologies for the country's armed forces.
Several years ago, though, the focus of his work shifted to natural elements such as wind, snow and ice.
He is one of a group of researchers and engineers at the academy's 23rd Institute tasked with using their expertise to serve a massive sports gala－the ongoing 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.
"We have situated three wind-profiler radars, two millimeter-wave cloud radars and 41 automatic meteorological stations around the Winter Games' sporting venues," Ren said.
The wind-profiler radars use phased array technology to detect wind speed and direction at various elevations above the ground, while the millimeter-wave cloud radars observe cloud and mist. Meanwhile, each of the automatic meteorological stations contains a range of sensors to collect data about factors around it such as wind, atmospheric pressure, humidity and temperature, according to Ren.
The meteorological data gathered by the equipment are transferred to weather forecasters who use the information to produce reports and make decisions on issues, such as whether artificial snow needs to be created, he said.
Wei Shuo, another engineer at the institute, said: "For example, there is a cloud radar on the top of Haituo Mountain (in Beijing's Yanqing district) that has been collecting snowfall data for the past six years. It detects and analyzes the moisture content, position and speed of clouds to help weather experts forecast and monitor snowfalls."
In addition to the fixed radars and stations, the engineers have designed and produced hundreds of handheld snow analyzers.
"This portable device relies on sensors and cutting-edge algorithms to identify the condition of ground snow. It features a special data pool of snow conditions in sports venues that have been measured and recorded by our engineers over the past two years," Wei said.
All data collected by the institute's products are transmitted back to the Games' weather department in a matter of minutes, enabling forecasters to produce accurate, timely reports for sports organizers and athletes, he added.
Performances, scores
Chen Huabin, a project manager for the Olympic weather service program, said it is essential for meteorological authorities to collect accurate data in a timely fashion because weather conditions are crucial to the performances, scores and even safety of participants in the Winter Games.
"For instance, forecasts of wind conditions are especially important for sports such as aerial skiing and ski jumping. That's because the organizers need them to determine whether the weather conditions at a certain time are fit for the competition, while skiers also need them to make specific plans for their maneuvers," he said. "In some sports, strong winds will have negative effects on the athletes' maneuvers and even personal safety."
Also known as the Beijing Institute of Radio Measurement, the 23rd Institute is part of the CASIC Second Academy, the major contractor of air-defense systems for the Chinese military. The institute is known for its radar technology.
The institute's researchers and engineers have taken part in the development of many advanced defense products. Their equipment is also widely deployed in civilian sectors such as airport operations, public security and agricultural yield forecasts.
"Our institute specializes in radar technology and has rich experience and knowledge of weather radar systems because it began to develop such equipment back in the 1980s. It built China's first wind-profiler radar in 1989, and it was quickly deployed to support the 11th Asian Games, held in Beijing in 1990," Chen said.
"Since then, our radars have been used at many significant events in China, including the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and several military parades."
The equipment made by the institute is popular with event organizers because it features advanced technologies, is high-quality and has proven performance ability.
"Moreover, as a State-owned space enterprise, we follow high standards of corporate social responsibility and adhere to a client-centered philosophy," Chen said. "The components in our civilian radars are as good as those used in our military or space equipment. Before the radars are delivered to clients, they undergo a series of stringent tests to check if they can withstand even the worst environments."
According to Wei, hundreds of designers and engineers at the 23rd Institute took part in the research and development of equipment used in the Games, with more than 10 fully engaged on the project.
"We are really pleased that our technology and equipment can support the organizers and athletes in these wonderful Winter Games," he said.
Information systems
In addition to weather radars, engineers from Beijing Aerospace Changfeng, a subsidiary of the CASIC Second Academy, have contributed to ensuring the security of the Winter Games.
"My company has been commissioned to construct and maintain the public security information system in Zhangjiakou's Chongli district (in Hebei province), one of the host regions of the Winter Games," said Wu Chao, one of several chief designers of the system.
"We integrated the mobile internet, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G communication and cloud computing technologies in the information system and connected it to advanced sensors. It is capable of real-time detection of individuals trespassing in restricted zones or people whose actions appear suspicious. It then warns the security staff so they can respond."
In some peripheral areas featuring rough landforms that are difficult for patrol personnel to reach, the engineers built a set of detection radars, optical and infrared cameras and laser instruments to allow monitoring, Wu said.
In addition to the security information system, the engineers helped the Chongli traffic management department upgrade the local road traffic system by adopting artificial intelligence and the latest algorithms, Wu said.
Fan Yaqiong, head of the Winter Games program at Beijing Aerospace Changfeng, said the company won the contract because it has rich experience in establishing and operating large, sophisticated social management systems.
"Running such a system is like carrying out challenging space programs. It requires skill and know-how," Fan said.
"Our technologies and services enable authorities in Chongli to extensively improve their working efficiency and accuracy in public security operations, provide police with greater convenience and flexibility, and reduce the number of personnel required."
Up in the sky, a satellite built by CASIC Space Engineering Development, also part of the Second Academy, is on duty as a backup platform for communication services during the Games.
The experimental communication satellite is traveling in a sun-synchronous orbit about 1,100 kilometers above the Earth. That means it is in prime position to provide temporary signal transmission services in the event of malfunctions with the major communication satellites, which travel in high-altitude orbits, the company said.
The 247-kilogram solar-powered satellite was launched atop a carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China in December 2018. Tasked with verifying technologies for a low-orbit, satellite-enabled internet system, it has far outlived its one-year designed life, its developers said.
