Imaging radar level gauge with adaptive beam steering capability operating under harsh conditions
In an embodiment, a radar level gauge system can include an antenna system comprising an imaging phased array in an isolated antenna arrangement that supports monopulse processing for radar image resolution and mapping of a surface of a material. The imaging phased array can provide a narrow-beam with beam scanning/steering and can emit a transmit beam that scans the surface of the material and forms the mapping of the surface. The mapping can comprise a 3D volumetric model that can include an image of a surface profile of the surface based on signals returned from the surface. The imaging phase array and the antenna system are protected from condensation and contamination from chemicals and viscous materials.
1. A radar level gauge system, comprising:
an antenna system comprising an imaging phased array in an isolated antenna arrangement, the antenna system is configured for monopulse processing for radar image resolution and mapping of a surface of a material;
wherein the imaging phased array provides a narrow-beam with beam steering and emits at least one transmit beam that scans the surface of the material and forms the mapping of the surface of the material, the mapping comprising a 3D volumetric model that includes an image of a surface profile of the surface based on signals returned from the surface,
wherein, the antenna system is configured to:
generate monopulse signals based on the monopulse processing to determine unwanted reflections and obstacles that interfere with the at least one transmit beam,
determine an optimum beam position by differentiating the unwanted reflections and the obstacles from the signals returned from the surface, and
wherein the imaging phased array and the antenna system are protected from condensation and contamination from chemicals and viscous materials.
2. The radar level gauge system of claim 1 , wherein the 3D volumetric model comprises data indicative of a height, a slope and horizontal dimensions with respect to the material and the surface of the material.
3. The radar level gauge system of claim 1 , wherein the material is contained in at least one of: a tank or a field in open air.
4. The radar level gauge system of claim 1 , wherein the isolated antenna arrangement galvanic isolated.
5. The radar level gauge system of claim 1 , wherein the antenna system further comprises a plurality of receive antenna elements and a plurality of transmit antenna elements.
6. The radar level gauge system of claim 1 further comprising a phased-lock loop (PLL) circuit that facilitates PLL wideband level radar with galvanic isolation gauging for the isolated antenna arrangement.
7. The radar level gauge system of claim 6 further comprising:
processing circuitry that outputs a signal that is fed as input to the PLL circuit, wherein the PLL circuit provides a signal to a voltage controlled oscillator circuit;
a plurality of low noise amplifiers electrically connected to the plurality of receive antenna elements and a plurality of mixers electrically connected to the plurality of low noise amplifiers;
a plurality of phase shifters connected electronically to the plurality of mixers, wherein plurality of mixers output signals that are fed as input to the plurality of phase shifters; and
a plurality of amplifiers connected electronically to the plurality of phase shifters, wherein the plurality of amplifiers provides signals to a multi-channel analog-to-digital converter, which in turn output signals that are input to the processing circuitry.
8. The radar level gauge system of claim 1 , wherein azimuth and elevation monopulse signals are used to determine a location of obstruction reflectors that interfere with target signals emitted by the imaging phased array of the antenna system.
9. The radar level gauge system of claim 1 wherein power management signals are provided to the radar level gauge system.
10. The radar level gauge system of claim 1 wherein
the radar level gauge system communicates bidirectionally with a data network.
11. A method of operating a radar level gauge system, comprising:
providing an antenna system comprising an imaging phased array in an isolated antenna arrangement that supports monopulse processing for radar image resolution and mapping of a surface of a material;
generating from the imaging phased array a narrow-beam with beam steering; and
emitting at least one transmit beam that scans the surface of the material and forms the mapping of the surface, the mapping comprising a 3D volumetric model that includes an image of a surface profile of the surface based on signals returned from the surface;
generating monopulse signals based on the monopulse processing to determine unwanted reflections and obstacles that interfere with the at least one transmit beam,
determining an optimum beam position by differentiating the unwanted reflections and the obstacles from the signals returned from the surface.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the imaging phased array and the antenna system are protected from condensation and contamination from chemicals and viscous materials.
13. The method of claim 11 providing from the 3D volumetric model, data indicative of a height, a slope and horizontal dimensions with respect to the material and the surface of the material.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein:
the material is contained in at least one of: a tank or a field in open air; and
the isolated antenna arrangement is and galvanic isolated.
15. The method claim 11 , wherein the antenna system further comprises a plurality of receive antenna elements and a plurality of transmit antenna elements.