Radar Level Measurement Device Synchronisation via Mixed RF Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly integrated radar level measurement devices require multiple transmitters and receivers for precise surface scanning, leading to complex, costly, and energy-intensive systems, especially when achieving small beam angles over large distances, which complicates the determination of filling material surface topology in containers.
Innovation Solution
A radar level measurement device utilizing multiple radar chips synchronized via a radio-frequency signal, with a radio-frequency line assembly that includes different line types to reduce power dissipation and amplify signals, and an FPGA for signal processing, allowing for flexible combinations of radar chips and efficient energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transmit and receive channels are used to scan the filling material surface more precisely, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is divided into multiple independent radar chips, each containing its own transmit and receive channels. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple channels while managing device complexity by distributing functionality across separate, modular chips rather than integrating everything into a single complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Each radar chip is designed as a universal module that can function independently or in combination with other chips. The chips can be configured in different arrangements (side-by-side, stacked, cascaded) to achieve various scanning patterns and measurement precision levels, providing multi-functionality that adapts to different application requirements without requiring completely different hardware designs.
2Measurement precision
If multiple transmit and receive channels are used to scan the filling material surface more precisely, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the radar system into multiple independent chips, each chip can be activated or deactivated based on measurement requirements. This allows the system to consume less energy by using only the necessary number of channels for a given measurement task, rather than continuously operating all channels at full power.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar chips can operate in periodic pulses rather than continuous transmission, with transmit and receive operations alternating in a timed sequence. This periodic operation reduces average energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision through multiple channels during active measurement periods.
3Ease of manufacture
If radar chips are synchronized using microstrip lines, then ease of manufacture is improved, but power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A waveguide is introduced as an intermediary component between the microstrip lines and the radar chips. The microstrip lines provide easy manufacturing and signal distribution, while the waveguide serves as an intermediate structure that efficiently transfers the synchronized signal between chips with lower power dissipation than direct microstrip connections, thus combining the advantages of both approaches.
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
This configuration enables precise and efficient level measurement and topology determination with reduced hardware and energy requirements, improving robustness and cost-effectiveness by integrating multiple functions onto a single chip and using cascaded radar systems.
Implementation Method 1
a radio-frequency line assembly (401) which is designed for transmitting the radio-frequency signal from the first synchronisation circuit (402) to the second synchronisation circuit (403), and which is provided for synchronising the two radar chips (301a, 301b)
Implementation Method 2
Both the first radar chip (301a) and the second radar chip (301b) comprise one or more transmit channels for in each case emitting a transmission signal towards the filling material surface (107), and one or more receive channels for receiving the transmission signals that are reflected on the filling material surface (107)
Data Source
AI summary
A radar level measurement device for level measurement or for determining a topology of a filling material surface in a container is provided, including a first radar chip and a second radar chip, the first radar chip including a first synchronisation circuit configured to generate a radio-frequency signal, and the second radar chip including a second synchronisation circuit; and a radio-frequency line assembly configured to transmit the radio-frequency signal from the first synchronisation circuit to the second synchronisation circuit to synchronise the first and the second radar chips, the radio-frequency line assembly including two or more different line types arranged in series with one another.