Integrated Microwave Circuit for Low Power Radar Level Gauge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional FMCW radar level gauge systems are power hungry, making them unsuitable for applications with limited energy and power supplies, such as field devices and wireless devices, and are also costly and large in size, which is a challenge in the process industry.
Innovation Solution
A compact and cost-efficient radar level gauge system is developed using an integrated microwave circuit with a microwave signal source configured to exhibit phase noise greater than or equal to -70dBc/Hz @ 100 kHz offset from a carrier frequency, allowing reduced power consumption while maintaining measurement performance, and incorporating a mixer and processing circuitry to determine the filling level based on an intermediate frequency signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional FMCW radar level gauge systems are used, then high measurement accuracy is achieved, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by intentionally increasing the phase noise parameter of the microwave signal source from conventional low values to at least -70 dBc/Hz. This parameter change enables the use of integrated microwave circuits that consume significantly less power while maintaining sufficient measurement accuracy for level gauging applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs integrated microwave circuits that are lower cost and consume less power compared to conventional high-performance radar systems. By accepting higher phase noise within defined limits, the system uses more economical components that are suitable for cost-sensitive and power-constrained applications
2Measurement precision
If conventional FMCW radar level gauge systems are used, then high measurement accuracy is achieved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the microwave signal source and mixer into a single integrated microwave circuit. This integration reduces device size, component count, and overall system complexity while maintaining the essential FMCW measurement functionality. The combined circuit eliminates the need for separate high-performance components that would increase size and cost
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the phase noise parameter specification to allow higher values (at least -70 dBc/Hz), the patent enables the use of integrated circuits that are smaller, cheaper, and more power-efficient. This parameter relaxation permits the use of standard integrated microwave circuits rather than requiring complex assemblies of precision components
3Use of energy by moving object
If integrated microwave circuit is used with higher phase noise, then power consumption is reduced, but measurement performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the phase noise parameter to a specific range (at least -70 dBc/Hz) that balances power consumption and measurement performance. This parameter optimization ensures that integrated circuits operating at this phase noise level achieve sufficient measurement accuracy for level gauging while consuming significantly less power than conventional systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional separate-component radar systems with integrated microwave circuits. This substitution consolidates multiple functions into a single chip, reducing power consumption and device complexity while maintaining adequate measurement performance through optimized phase noise characteristics
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves significant reduction in energy consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement performance, enabling accurate filling level determination with a reasonable update frequency, suitable for applications with limited power, such as two-wire current loop systems and battery-powered devices.
Implementation Method 1
a signal propagation device arranged to propagate an electromagnetic transmit signal towards a surface of the product and to return an electromagnetic reflection signal resulting from reflection of the electromagnetic transmit signal at the surface
Implementation Method 2
a mixer coupled to the microwave signal source and to the signal propagation device, and configured to combine the transmit signal and the reflection signal to form an intermediate frequency signal
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A radar level gauge system comprising a signal propagation device (7); a microwave signal source (45); a microwave signal source controller (55); a mixer (48) configured to combine a transmit signal from the microwave signal source and a reflection signal from the surface to form an intermediate frequency signal; and processing circuitry (5, 52, 55) coupled to the mixer and configured to determine the filling level based on the intermediate frequency signal. The microwave signal source is configured to exhibit a phase noise greater than or equal to -70dBc/Hz @ 100 kHz offset from a carrier frequency for the transmit signal.