Shared-Antenna Radar Level Gauge With Waveguide Signal Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar level gauge systems face challenges in providing robust and compact solutions for multiple functionally independent radar-based level gauges sharing the same antenna, especially at higher carrier frequencies like 60 GHz or higher, while maintaining sensitivity and avoiding significant signal loss.
Innovation Solution
A radar level gauge system comprising two microwave units with separate transmitter and receiver patches, connected via hollow waveguide directional couplers and a signal combiner, allowing independent signal generation and reception through a shared antenna, with each unit determining level measurements based on timing relations of transmitted and reflected signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple radar measurement channels are provided using separate antennas, then measurement reliability and redundancy are improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple radar measurement channels into a single antenna system. The signal combiner merges transmit signals from multiple microwave units through a common antenna, while the signal splitter distributes received signals to respective receivers. This merging approach maintains measurement reliability through multiple independent channels while reducing device complexity and space requirements compared to using separate antennas for each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The single antenna serves multiple functions by handling transmit signals from different microwave units and receiving reflection signals for multiple measurement channels. The antenna system is designed to accommodate multiple frequencies (e.g., 26 GHz and 80 GHz) and multiple measurement functions, making it a universal component that replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized antennas.
2Measurement precision
If high-frequency radar signals (60 GHz or higher) are used, then measurement precision and beam narrowness are improved, but signal loss and sensitivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hollow waveguide directional couplers as intermediary components between the microwave units and the antenna. These couplers efficiently transfer high-frequency signals (60 GHz or higher) with minimal loss, acting as mediators that preserve signal integrity. The waveguide structure is particularly effective at high frequencies where traditional transmission lines would suffer from excessive attenuation, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing signal loss.
3Volume of moving object
If a single antenna is shared by multiple microwave units, then device compactness is improved, but signal interference and measurement accuracy may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal paths using directional couplers and signal splitters/combiners. Each microwave unit has its own dedicated transmit and receive signal paths that are separated through the coupling arrangement. This segmentation prevents signal interference between different measurement channels while maintaining device compactness through the shared antenna, thus preserving measurement accuracy in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Directional couplers serve as intermediary components that isolate signal paths between different microwave units sharing the same antenna. These couplers ensure that transmit signals from one unit do not interfere with receive signals from another unit, maintaining measurement accuracy while enabling compact single-antenna operation.
4Reliability
If separate level sensors are provided for each tank, then overfill prevention reliability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple level sensing functions into a single radar level gauge system with multiple microwave units sharing one antenna. Each microwave unit independently measures the level in its designated tank or provides redundant measurement, achieving reliable overfill prevention without requiring separate physical sensors for each tank. This combining approach reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple measurement channels.
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 provides a robust and compact solution with high sensitivity, enabling reliable overfill prevention and redundant level gauging through a single opening in the tank, while maintaining independent operation and minimizing signal loss.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter patch coupled to the microwave transceiver for transmitting a first transmit signal; a receiver patch for receiving a first reflection signal resulting from reflection of the first transmit signal
Implementation Method 2
an antenna for radiating the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal towards the surface of the product, and for receiving the first reflection signal and the second reflection signal
Implementation Method 3
a first hollow waveguide directional coupler having a first waveguide section with a first end coupled to one of the transmitter patch and the receiver patch of the first microwave unit
Data Source
AI summary
A radar level gauge system comprising a first microwave unit including a transmitter patch for transmitting a first transmit signal, a receiver patch for receiving a first reflection signal, and processing circuitry for determining a first level measurement; a second microwave unit including a transmitter patch for transmitting a second transmit signal, a receiver patch for receiving a second reflection signal, and processing circuitry for determining a second level measurement; an antenna; and a signal coupling arrangement including a first hollow waveguide directional coupler, a second hollow waveguide directional coupler, and a signal combiner.