Integrated radar water level gaugeIt is a high-precision water level measurement device that integrates radar detection, data processing, and power communication functions. It adopts the principle of high-frequency electromagnetic wave ranging, emits electromagnetic waves to the water surface and receives reflected waves, calculates the water level height by combining the electromagnetic wave propagation speed and time difference, and finally converts it into the actual water level value through the installation height of the device.
Its equipment is equipped with high-frequency millimeter wave radar (such as 60GHz or 70GHz), with shorter wavelengths and concentrated energy. Combined with narrow antenna angles (± 8 ° or ≤ 3 °), it can effectively reduce environmental interference such as water vapor, dust, and water surface fluctuations. By using frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) or pulse coherent radar technology, a measurement accuracy of ± 3mm within a range of 0.2-10m can be achieved, and some models can expand their maximum range to 12m or even 30m, supporting millimeter level water level change monitoring. Built in intelligent power management system, standby current<0.015mA, coupled with efficient energy storage batteries or solar power supply, can achieve a super long battery life of 5 years, completely solving the problem of "power supply difficulty" in field monitoring.
Integrated radar water level gaugeThe main structural components are as follows:
1. Antenna system
Function: Transmit and receive electromagnetic waves (radar waves).
Type: Usually uses horn antenna or planar antenna. The horn antenna has good directionality and strong anti-interference ability; The planar antenna has a smaller volume and is suitable for situations with limited space.
Features: Located at the forefront of the device, directly aimed at the water surface. The antenna material needs to be corrosion-resistant (such as stainless steel, engineering plastics) and have good electromagnetic wave transmission.
2. Radar sensor module
Function: Generate high-frequency electromagnetic wave signals (usually FMCW frequency modulated continuous waves with frequencies of 6GHz, 10GHz, 24GHz or higher), transmit them through an antenna, and receive echo signals reflected back from the water surface.
Core: Includes high-frequency transmission circuit, reception circuit, and signal processing chip.
Principle: Based on Time of Flight (ToF) or Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) technology, the distance between the sensor and the water surface is accurately calculated by calculating the time or frequency difference between the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves.
3. Main control processing unit
Function: Receive raw signals from radar sensors, perform complex digital signal processing (DSP) such as filtering, denoising, echo recognition, distance calculation, etc., and finally convert them into water level height values.
Integration: In integrated design, the unit is highly integrated with sensors, sharing a circuit board and housing.
4. Display and operation interface
Function: Some models are equipped with LCD or LED displays for on-site display of real-time water level, distance, equipment status, signal strength, and other information.
Operation: It may have buttons or touch areas for on-site parameter settings, calibration, menu operations, etc.
5. Communication interface
Function: Transmit measurement data to remote monitoring systems or data collection terminals.
Common interfaces:
4-20mA analog output: Industrial standard signal, strong anti-interference ability, suitable for long-distance transmission.
RS-485 digital output: Supports protocols such as Modbus RTU and can be networked.
Pulse output (rarely seen).
Wireless communication: Some high-end models integrate LoRa, NB IoT, 4G and other wireless modules to achieve remote wireless data transmission.
6. Power supply system
Function: Provide stable power supply for the entire device.
Power supply method:
DC power supply: commonly seen as 12-24V DC.
AC power supply: such as 220V AC (rarely seen in integrated small equipment).
Solar power supply: In the field, there is no grid connection, and external solar panels and batteries can be connected.
Characteristic: Integrated design typically integrates the power interface directly onto the housing.
7. Shell and protective structure
Material: Usually made of aluminum alloy (lightweight, good heat dissipation) or high-strength engineering plastic (corrosion-resistant, insulated), with anti-corrosion treatment on the surface.
Protection level: High protection level, such as IP66, IP67, or even IP68, ensures that the equipment is waterproof, dustproof, moisture-proof, and suitable for harsh outdoor environments.
Structure: Integrated sealed design, all electronic components are encapsulated internally, leaving only antenna ports, wiring ports, and possible display screens/buttons.
8. Installation bracket and interface
Function: Used to fix water level gauges on structures such as bridges, culverts, logging stations, and supports.
Design: Typically equipped with standard universal joint brackets or fixed brackets, allowing for adjustment of measurement angles within a certain range to ensure that radar waves are vertically aligned with the water surface.
9. (Optional) Temperature sensor
Function: Monitor the ambient temperature or internal temperature of the device, used for temperature compensation of radar wave velocity to improve measurement accuracy.