Miniature radar water level gauge

Abstract

The utility model discloses a miniature radar water level gauge, and relates to the field of water level monitoring, and the miniature radar water level gauge comprises a housing, a miniature radar probe, a control part, a detachable battery part and a supporting part. The micro radar probe, the control part and the detachable battery part are arranged in the shell from bottom to top; the shell is movably arranged on the supporting component; the supporting part is used for standing in a target water area and enabling the shell to be located above the water surface of the target water area; the micro radar probe is used for monitoring water elevation data of a target water area; the control component is used for calculating water level data according to the water elevation data and transmitting the water level data to the remote server; the detachable battery component is used for supplying power to the micro radar probe and the control component. The device can move flexibly and complete a long-time continuous observation task.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of water level monitoring, in particular to a micro radar water level gauge. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the current automatic detection of water conservancy, the radar water level gauge is a water level monitoring means widely used in hydrological observation. However, due to the influence of natural environment, the support of the radar water level gauge of natural river is often constructed at a safe distance on both sides of the river bank, and then the water level gauge probe is suspended above the water surface through various support structures such as suspension rods or telescopic suspension rods, so as to realize safe observation. This fixed installation structure will cause some radar water level gauge probes in some small and medium-sized rivers to be unable to be above the water surface all the time, and the water level gauge will be out of water and unable to use when the river dries up or the mainstream swings. For example, in some dry and semi-dry areas in the north, there is a drought phenomenon in small and medium-sized rivers in the dry season, and the mainstream swings due to geological reasons in the rainy season. In addition, the existing radar water level gauge has a relatively bulky structure, and cannot be moved or installed flexibly, so that many water level gauges cannot complete the annual observation task. SUMMARY

[0003] The purpose of the present application is to provide a micro radar water level gauge which can be moved flexibly and complete long-term continuous observation tasks.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the present application provides the following solutions:

[0005] The present application provides a micro radar water level gauge, which comprises a shell, a micro radar probe, a control component, a detachable battery component and a support component.

[0006] The micro radar probe, the control component and the detachable battery component are arranged in the interior of the shell in the order from bottom to top; the shell is movably arranged on the support component; the support component is used for standing upright in a target water area, and the shell is located above the water surface of the target water area;

[0007] The micro radar probe is used for monitoring water elevation data of the target water area;

[0008] The control component is used for receiving the water elevation data, calculating water level data according to the water elevation data, and transmitting the water level data to a remote server;

[0009] The detachable battery component is used for supplying power to the micro radar probe and the control component.

[0010] Optionally, the micro radar water level gauge further comprises a micro radar probe protection cover.

[0011] The micro radar probe protective cover covers the shell, and is used for protecting the shell to avoid water vapor affecting monitoring of the micro radar probe.

[0012] Optionally, the support component is a water gauge, and the shell is directly arranged on the water gauge or is arranged on the water gauge through a support clamp.

[0013] Optionally, the micro radar water level gauge further comprises a temperature and humidity sensor.

[0014] The temperature and humidity sensor is used for detecting temperature and humidity information of an environment where the shell is located and transmitting the temperature and humidity information to the control component.

[0015] Optionally, the micro radar probe is a micro radar probe plate prepared by using a glue filling process, and the control component is a control plate prepared by using the glue filling process.

[0016] Optionally, the support component is a water gauge, and the control component comprises a main control unit and a 4G communication unit.

[0017] The main control unit is used for controlling start monitoring or stop monitoring of the micro radar probe, receiving the water elevation data and the temperature and humidity information, obtaining height data of a position where the shell is located on the water gauge, and subtracting the water elevation data from the height data to obtain water level data.

[0018] The 4G communication unit is used for transmitting the temperature and humidity information and the water level data to a remote server.

[0019] Optionally, the main control unit adopts an STM32L4 series chip, the 4G communication unit adopts an EC800K 4G chip, and the main control unit and the 4G communication unit are connected through a serial port.

[0020] The temperature and humidity sensor adopts a digital temperature and humidity sensor SHT30.

[0021] Optionally, the control component further comprises an AT24C04 storage chip and a TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip, and the AT24C04 storage chip and the TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip are electrically connected with the main control unit.

[0022] Optionally, the micro radar probe adopts a 60GHz radar chip, and the main control unit is electrically connected with the 60GHz radar chip through an SPI interface.

[0023] Optionally, the detachable battery component comprises an RT9078 low dropout voltage chip.

[0024] According to the specific embodiments provided in this application, this application has the following technical effects: This application provides a miniature radar level gauge, in which a miniature radar probe, control components, and a detachable battery component are arranged in a bottom-up order inside a housing, thereby obtaining a complete structure capable of data monitoring. This structure relies on the housing, which is movably mounted on a support component, allowing for flexible movement in practical applications. Furthermore, the support component stands upright in the target water area during operation, ensuring that the housing is positioned above the water surface. Even in the event of river drying up or main current shifting, the observation task can be completed by moving the support component, and the final water level data is transmitted to a remote server via the control component. In summary, this application provides a flexibly movable structure capable of data monitoring, which remains above the water surface, enabling long-term continuous observation tasks. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a miniature radar level gauge according to one embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main control unit.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the AT24C04 memory chip.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first connection of some ports of the STM32L4 series chip.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second connection of some ports of the STM32L4 series chip.

[0032] Figure 7 This is the first schematic diagram of a 4G communication unit.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a second schematic diagram of a 4G communication unit.

[0034] Figure 9 This is the third schematic diagram of a 4G communication unit.

[0035] Figure 10This is the fourth schematic diagram of a 4G communication unit.

[0036] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the SHT30 digital temperature and humidity sensor.

[0037] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the third connection of some ports of the STM32L4 series chip.

[0038] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the RT9078 low dropout voltage regulator chip.

[0039] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth connection of some ports of the STM32L4 series chip.

[0040] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the STM32L431CCU6 radar main control chip.

[0041] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the radar chip A111.

[0042] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the TXS0108 bidirectional automatic level conversion chip.

[0043] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the LP5907 circuit.

[0044] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the TPS22917DBVR chip.

[0045] Reference numerals: 1-Housing, 2-Miniature radar probe, 3-Control component, 4-Removable battery component, 5-Support component, 6-Miniature radar probe protective cover. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0047] To make the objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0048] In one exemplary embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, a miniature radar level gauge is provided, including a housing 1, a miniature radar probe 2, a control component 3, a removable battery component 4, a support component 5, and a protective cover for the miniature radar probe 6.

[0049] The miniature radar probe 2, the control component 3, and the detachable battery component 4 are arranged inside the housing 1 in a bottom-up order; the housing 1 is movably mounted on the support component 5; the support component 5 is used to stand upright in the target water area, so that the housing 1 is located above the water surface of the target water area; the miniature radar probe protective cover 6 covers the housing 1.

[0050] The miniature radar probe 2 is used to monitor the water surface elevation data of the target water area; the water surface elevation data refers to the distance between the miniature radar probe 2 and the water surface, which can be measured based on the radar ranging principle. The miniature radar probe 2 can use a 60GHz radar chip to provide monitoring of water surface elevation data with an accuracy of 0.5cm within the range of 1.5 meters to 0.1 meters.

[0051] The control component 3 is used to: receive the water elevation data, calculate the water level data based on the water elevation data, and transmit the water level data to a remote server.

[0052] The removable battery component 4 is used to power the miniature radar probe 2 and the control component 3. The removable battery component 4 is a low-power, removable battery and is cylindrical. The removable battery component 4 enables the miniature radar level gauge to perform 60 water level data measurements and transmissions per day for up to 3 months. Because it is removable, long-term stable monitoring can be achieved by having staff replace the battery periodically.

[0053] In one application example, the miniature radar probe protective cover 6 is used to protect the housing 1 to prevent moisture from affecting the monitoring of the miniature radar probe 2, specifically to protect the data detected by the miniature radar probe from the high humidity of rainwater and rivers.

[0054] In one application example, the supporting component 5 is a water level gauge, or other object embedded in water; the following uses a water level gauge as an example, but the same applies to other objects embedded in water. The housing 1 is directly mounted on the water level gauge; or, the housing 1 is mounted on the water level gauge via a bracket clamp. When the latter mounting method is selected, the housing 1 is fixed to the bracket, and the bracket is fixed to the water level gauge via a clamp (a water level gauge is a graduated ruler that allows the liquid level to be directly observed when standing upright in water).

[0055] In one application example, the housing 1 has a top and bottom, and a front and a back. The miniature radar probe 2 is disposed on the inner wall of the bottom groove of the housing 1. The housing 1 is placed on a water level gauge, and the groove is perpendicular to the water surface. Once aligned with the water surface, detection can be performed. In addition, the water level gauge needs to be placed in the water at the edge of the river.

[0056] In one application example, the miniature radar level gauge also includes a temperature and humidity sensor; the temperature and humidity sensor is used to detect the temperature and humidity information of the environment in which the housing 1 is located, and transmits the temperature and humidity information to the control component 3. The control component 3 can perform temperature and humidity sensing as needed to check whether the miniature radar level gauge is submerged in water, thereby ensuring the safety and stable use of the device.

[0057] In one application example, the miniature radar probe 2 is a miniature radar probe board prepared by a potting process, and the control component 3 is a control board prepared by a potting process, which can effectively prevent water damage.

[0058] In one application example, the control component 3 includes a main control unit and a 4G communication unit. The main control unit is used to: control the activation or deactivation of the miniature radar probe 2; receive the water elevation data and temperature and humidity information; acquire the height data of the housing's position on the water gauge; and subtract the water elevation data from the height data to obtain the water level data. The main control unit may include a subtractor to acquire the water level data; and may be configured with high and low voltage levels to control the activation or deactivation of the miniature radar probe 2. The 4G communication unit is used to: transmit the temperature and humidity information and the water level data to a remote server.

[0059] In one application example, the main control unit uses an STM32L4 series chip. The STM32L4 series features low power consumption and high performance. It is mainly responsible for acquiring data collected by the miniature radar probe 2, temperature and humidity information, and interacting with the remote server via 4G network.

[0060] The 4G communication unit uses the EC800K 4G chip. This EC800K 4G chip module is characterized by its small size and low power consumption, and is specifically designed for IoT devices. Its main function is to send received sensor information to the cloud or a remote server, and it can also receive control commands from the cloud or a remote server. The main control unit is connected to the 4G communication unit via a serial port.

[0061] The temperature and humidity sensor used is the SHT30 digital temperature and humidity sensor.

[0062] In one application example, the control component further includes an AT24C04 memory chip and a TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip; both the AT24C04 memory chip and the TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip are electrically connected to the main control unit. The AT24C04 memory chip is used to store some configuration parameters to prevent loss due to power failure, and the TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip is a watchdog chip to prevent the main control unit from failing to operate normally due to CPU hardware or software failure.

[0063] In one application example, the removable battery component includes an RT9078 low-dropout voltage regulator chip, which features low static power consumption, low voltage drop, and low noise. This chip can convert the battery power supply from 3V to 4.2V to 2.8V to power other chips on the board.

[0064] In one application example, the 60GHz radar chip is a high-performance dedicated chip that integrates radar transmitting and receiving circuits as well as an antenna. It is small in size, low in power consumption, and highly integrated. The main control unit is electrically connected to the 60GHz radar chip via an SPI interface, thus completing the radar chip's initialization, calibration, data acquisition, data preprocessing, and radar signal processing to obtain the results. Additionally, the interface levels between the 60GHz radar chip and the main control unit are inconsistent; therefore, a level conversion chip is added to convert the levels.

[0065] like Figure 2 The diagram shows the main control unit. The STM32L4 series chip is the STM32L431CCU6. In this chip, terminal 9 is connected to terminal 8 via capacitor C1 and then grounded together. Terminal 9 is also connected to resistor R1. The other end of resistor R1 is connected to voltage VDD_2V8 and grounded via capacitor C2. Terminals 1, 24, 36, and 48 are connected to form the first contact. The first contact is connected to voltage VDD_2V8. Capacitors C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7 are connected in parallel between the first contact and the second contact. The second contact is connected to terminals 49, 23, 35, and 47 respectively. The second contact is also connected to terminal 44 via resistor R2. Terminal 7 is connected to voltage VDD_2V8 via resistor R3 and grounded via capacitor C8. Terminal 7 also serves as the NRST port. Resistor R4 and an X322516MLB4SI chip are connected in parallel between terminals 5 and 6. After the first and fifth terminals of the X322516MLB4SI chip are connected, they are grounded together with the fourth terminal of the X322516MLB4SI chip via capacitor C8. After the third and sixth terminals of the X322516MLB4SI chip are connected, they are grounded together with the second terminal of the X322516MLB4SI chip via capacitor C10. The third terminal is grounded after being connected to capacitor C11, and the fourth terminal is grounded after being connected to capacitor C12. An X2 SC-20S chip is placed between the third and fourth terminals. The X322516MLB4SI chip acts as a crystal oscillator, providing an external clock for the main control unit.

[0066] like Figure 3The diagram shows the AT24C04 memory chip. The sixth terminal of the AT24C04 memory chip is connected to the MCU_I2C1_SCL port of the STM32L4 series chip, and the fifth terminal of the AT24C04 memory chip is connected to the MCU_I2C1_SDA port of the STM32L4 series chip.

[0067] like Figure 4 The diagram shows a schematic of the TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip, specifically the TPS3823-25DBVR model. The fourth terminal of the TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip is connected to the MCU_WDI port of the STM32L4 series chip, and the first terminal of the TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip is connected to the NRST port of the STM32L4 series chip.

[0068] like Figure 5 As shown, the SWCLK port of the STM32L4 series chip is connected to the third terminal of the HDR254M-1X4 / NC connector via resistor R5, and the SWDIO port of the STM32L4 series chip is connected to the fourth terminal of the HDR254M-1X4 / NC connector via resistor R6. The HDR254M-1X4 / NC connector is used for connecting an external emulator for debugging.

[0069] like Figure 6 As shown, the MCU_DEBUG_LED0 port of the STM32L4 series chip is connected to LED1 and resistor R10 in sequence and then grounded. The MCU_DEBUG_LED1 port of the STM32L4 series chip is connected to LED2 and resistor R11 in sequence and then grounded.

[0070] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10The diagram shows a schematic of a 4G communication unit, involving the EC800K-CN chip and the TXS0102DCUR chip. The fifth terminal of the TXS0102DCUR chip is connected to the seventeenth terminal of the EC800K-CN chip, and the fourth terminal of the TXS0102DCUR chip is connected to the eighteenth terminal of the EC800K-CN chip. The eighth terminal of the TXS0102DCUR chip is connected to the MCU_UART1_TXD port of the STM32L4 series chip, and the first terminal of the TXS0102DCUR chip is connected to the MCU_UART1_RXD port of the STM32L4 series chip. The sixteenth terminal of the EC800K-CN chip is connected to the first terminal of transistor Q5, the second terminal of transistor Q5 is grounded, and the third terminal of transistor Q5 is connected to LED4, resistor R17, and then to voltage VCC_4G. The 35th pin of the EC800K-CN chip is connected to resistor R13, and then to the BWIPX-1-001E chip. One end of resistor R13 is grounded via capacitor C22, and the other end of resistor R13 is grounded via capacitor C23. The TXS0102DCUR chip acts as a level converter. The main control unit's chip operating voltage is 2.8V, while the 4G module's I / O port voltage is 1.8V; these two voltages are mismatched and therefore require conversion.

[0071] like Figure 11 The diagram shows a schematic of the SHT30 digital temperature and humidity sensor. The first terminal of the SHT30 chip is connected to the MCU_I2C1_SDA port of the STM32L4 series chip, and the fourth terminal of the SHT30 chip is connected to the MCU_I2C1_SCL port of the STM32L4 series chip.

[0072] like Figure 12 As shown, the MCU_UART2_TXD, MCU_UART2_RXD, and MCU_RADAR_EN ports of the STM32L4 series chip are connected to the third, fourth, and fifth terminals of the 532610571 connector, respectively. The 532610571 connector is connected to the 60GHz radar chip located at the bottom via a wiring harness.

[0073] like Figure 13 The image shows a schematic diagram of the RT9078 low-dropout voltage regulator chip. Figure 14As shown, the MCU_4G_PW_EN port of the STM32L4 series chip is connected to the first terminal of transistor Q8, the second terminal of transistor Q8 is grounded, the third terminal of transistor Q8 is connected to the first terminal of MOSFET Q7 and one end of resistor R27, the other end of resistor R27 is connected to voltage VCC_BAT, the second terminal of MOSFET Q7 is connected to voltage VCC_BAT, and the third terminal of MOSFET Q7 is connected to voltage VCC_4G. Voltage VCC_4G is connected to one end of resistor R28, the other end of resistor R28 is connected to one end of resistor R29, one end of capacitor C24, and the MCU_ADC_BAT port of the STM32L4 series chip, and the other ends of resistor R29 and capacitor C24 are grounded.

[0074] In another application example, the miniature radar probe board primarily employs a radar main control chip + 60GHz radar chip to achieve its functions. The radar main control chip is the STM32L431CCU6, such as... Figure 15 As shown, the radar control and signal processing algorithms are internally run using the M4 architecture; as Figure 16 As shown, the radar chip A111 is a highly integrated RF chip with a built-in transceiver antenna. It integrates RF processing, intermediate frequency processing, ADC sampling, and digital interface circuits, and connects to the radar main control chip via an SPI interface. Since the radar chip uses a 1.8V power supply while the radar main control chip uses a 3V power supply, the voltage levels are inconsistent. Therefore, a TXS0108 bidirectional automatic level converter chip is needed to handle this. The structure of the TXS0108 bidirectional automatic level converter chip is shown below. Figure 17 As shown, the X1 DSB221SDN-24M is a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCC) with high precision and low temperature drift, which can significantly improve the accuracy of radar chips. Figure 18 The diagram shows the LP5907 circuit. Individual circuitry can be configured. The LP5907 primarily provides power to the RF, analog, and digital sections of the radar chip. The RF and analog sections, in particular, have high power supply noise requirements, necessitating the use of high PSRR chips. The P2 connector provides an external control interface, allowing for the setting and acquisition of radar signal processing values ​​via serial communication. Figure 19 The image shows the TPS22917DBVR chip, a power switch chip that controls the power-on and power-off of the radar board via an external enable pin, thereby controlling the operation and shutdown of the radar sensor. When the TPS22917DBVR chip is disabled, its power consumption reaches the nA level, which is relatively low and beneficial for controlling overall system power consumption during sleep mode, extending battery life.

[0075] In summary, this application solves the problem of the radar level gauge probe not being above the water surface caused by river drying or main current shifts by by binding the housing to the water gauge. Moreover, the structure of this application is cheaper to manufacture than the prior art, and even if the level gauge is destroyed by flood, it will not cause significant losses.

[0076] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0077] This document uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the methods and core ideas of this application. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A miniature radar level gauge, characterized in that, The miniature radar level gauge includes a housing, a miniature radar probe, a control component, a detachable battery component, and a support component. The miniature radar probe, the control component, and the detachable battery component are arranged inside the housing in a bottom-up order; the housing is movably mounted on the support component; the support component is used to stand upright in the target water area, so that the housing is located above the water surface of the target water area; The miniature radar probe is used to monitor the water elevation data of the target water area; The control component is used to: receive the water elevation data, calculate the water level data based on the water elevation data, and transmit the water level data to a remote server; The detachable battery component is used to power the miniature radar probe and the control component.

2. The miniature radar level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The miniature radar level gauge also includes a protective cover for the miniature radar probe. The protective cover of the miniature radar probe covers the housing and is used to protect the housing to prevent moisture from affecting the monitoring of the miniature radar probe.

3. The miniature radar level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting component is a water gauge; the housing is directly mounted on the water gauge; or, the housing is mounted on the water gauge by means of a bracket clamp.

4. The miniature radar level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The miniature radar level gauge also includes a temperature and humidity sensor; The temperature and humidity sensor is used to detect the temperature and humidity information of the environment in which the housing is located, and transmits the temperature and humidity information to the control component.

5. The miniature radar level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The miniature radar probe is a miniature radar probe board prepared using a potting process, and the control component is a control board prepared using a potting process.

6. The miniature radar level gauge according to claim 4, characterized in that, The supporting component is a water gauge; the control component includes a main control unit and a 4G communication unit. The main control unit is used to: control the activation or deactivation of the micro radar probe for monitoring; receive the water elevation data and the temperature and humidity information; obtain the height data of the housing at the position on the water gauge; and subtract the water elevation data from the height data to obtain the water level data. The 4G communication unit is used to transmit the temperature and humidity information and the water level data to a remote server.

7. The miniature radar level gauge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The main control unit uses an STM32L4 series chip; the 4G communication unit uses an EC800K4G chip; the main control unit and the 4G communication unit are connected via a serial port. The temperature and humidity sensor used is the SHT30 digital temperature and humidity sensor.

8. The miniature radar level gauge according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control component also includes an AT24C04 memory chip and a TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip; both the AT24C04 memory chip and the TPS3823 voltage monitoring chip are electrically connected to the main control unit.

9. The miniature radar level gauge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The miniature radar probe uses a 60GHz radar chip; the main control unit is electrically connected to the 60GHz radar chip via an SPI interface.

10. The miniature radar level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The removable battery component includes an RT9078 low-dropout voltage regulator chip.

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