Radar Applications in Level Measurement, Distance Measurement and Nondestructive Material Testing

This paper presents first an overview over commercial microwave sensor systems in the field of level measurement of liquids and bulk goods. Advances in microwave technique and digital signal processing created new markets in process engineering. There a two classes of microwave level sensor systems: high precision sensor for storage tanks and sensors for process tank with hard measuring conditions like high temperature, pressre, turbulrnces, agitators etc. There exist cw as well as pulse radar systems. The signal processing in tanks differs from standard free space distance measrement because of the compatively small measuring distance and the variety of multiple and unwanted echo paths. Special features of this signal processing are prsented. Commercial available microwave sensors also can be adapted for distance measument and distance warning of autonomous systems. Selfcalibration by phase analysis can cut hardware costs of fmcw radar systems. Further an example for using a commercial level sensor in the field of nondestrutve material testing is presented.