Variable Transmit Power Radar for Tank Level Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contactless filling level measuring instruments face challenges in maintaining signal quality due to varying environmental conditions, leading to measurement errors from either signal attenuation or overload, as the strength of the received signal is critical for accurate readings.
Innovation Solution
A level measuring instrument with a generator unit that selectively generates two different transmitting powers, controlled by a controller, to adapt to changing environmental conditions, ensuring optimal receive signal levels by adjusting power based on the distance of the filling material and atmospheric absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmitting power is increased to compensate for signal attenuation in difficult environmental conditions, then the receive signal strength is improved, but the receiving unit may become overloaded causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting power is made dynamically adjustable through a controller that selects between at least two different transmitting power levels. This allows the system to adapt the transmit power to current environmental conditions, ensuring optimal receive signal strength without causing receiver overload, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy across varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmitting power parameter based on environmental conditions. By having at least two different transmitting power levels available and selectable by a controller, the system can optimize the transmit power to ensure sufficient signal strength for reliable measurement while preventing receiver overload that would cause measurement errors.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the transmitting power is set low for good environmental conditions, then energy consumption is reduced, but the receive signal amplitude becomes too small leading to poor gating quality
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting power is dynamically adjusted based on environmental conditions. When conditions are favorable, lower power is used to reduce energy consumption. When conditions deteriorate, the controller switches to higher power levels to maintain sufficient signal amplitude for reliable gating, thus optimizing the balance between energy efficiency and measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmitting power parameter according to environmental conditions to optimize both energy consumption and signal quality. By having multiple power levels available, the system can select the appropriate power level to maintain adequate receive signal amplitude for reliable gating while minimizing energy consumption when possible.
3Device complexity
If a single fixed transmitting power is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to varying environmental conditions leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a controller that can select between at least two different transmitting power levels, making the transmitting power dynamically adjustable. This adds minimal complexity while significantly improving adaptability to varying environmental conditions, allowing the system to maintain reliable measurements across different scenarios without requiring a completely complex redesign.
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 solution maintains the quality of measuring results by optimizing signal strength under varying conditions, preventing measurement errors caused by signal attenuation or overload, and ensuring reliable filling level measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna, which transmits or receives signals (radar or microwave, ultrasound) in order to determine the filling level of a medium
Implementation Method 2
in case of an atmosphere with relatively high absorption, the generator unit may set the transmitting power of the transmit signal correspondingly high
Data Source
AI summary
A level measuring instrument has a variable transmitting power for measuring a filling level in a tank. The level measuring instrument includes a generator unit selectively generating different transmitting powers. The generator unit is controlled so that the transmitting power is respectively adapted to the corresponding environmental conditions. For this purpose, the generator unit has for instance two different oscillators, which are driven selectively.