New Radar Level Measuring Instrument Focuses on the Essential

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Interview with Jürgen Skowaisa, Product Management Radar, Vega

Jürgen Skowaisa, Vega

PROCESS: Mr. Skowaisa, until now you have kept a fairly low profile as far as the demand for higher frequencies for radar measuring instruments is concerned. Why have you now decided to offer a radar measuring instrument with a frequency of 79 GHz after all?

Skowaisa: With well over 100,000 radar sensors in the bulk solids sector alone, VEGA is very experienced in this field. In addition to the interesting, better focusing at a higher frequency, the limited dynamic range of the components was a reason why we have waited. In recent years, the 79 GHz radar technology has developed rapidly in the automotive industry. New components which can measure even the smallest signals and still have a very low energy requirement came onto the market. The time was ripe for launching a new radar sensor onto the market that meets our requirements.

PROCESS: Does the bulk solids world really need a new radar measuring instrument?

Skowaisa: Although we can cover a large part of the bulk solids sector, there are still applications in which better focusing or a greater dynamic range would be an advantage. If the technical possibilities exist, it is logical to exploit them to offer our customers a further possibility to solve their respective complex level applications. With the Vegapuls 69 we are adding a further piece to the radar technology application area.

PROCESS: Does the Vegapuls 69 now come close to the aim of a universal sensor in the bulk solids industry?

Skowaisa: That is certainly the case. The sensor is not only suitable for media with low reflection properties and larger measuring ranges but also covers all standard tasks. Therefore we have also created two different antenna systems for the different measuring tasks. Practice will show whether the sensors with the higher frequency will bring a better solution for all previous measuring tasks. More than 10 years of experience with the previous 26 GHz technology cannot be replaced with a new system overnight. Our focus for the development of the new sensor was on extending the range of application. The practical tests have been very positive so far – the tendency towards a universal sensor is certainly there with the new instrument. However, there is certainly still no sensor that can cover all applications but the new Vegapuls 69 is used in many different applications – from small bulk solids containers to large warehouses. To meet the different requirements, different versions have been used up till now. The new sensor now has enough power reserves for smaller measuring ranges and can also be used at heights up to 120 m for level and distance measurements.

PROCESS: The Vegapuls 69 was recently launched at the Powtech 2014. How were the latest tests?

Skowaisa: We distributed a large number of sensors worldwide to get extensive feedback. Of course, many of our colleagues have the ambition to use the instruments where we have reached our limits with the previous technology, i.e. in especially difficult applications. We get detailed reports of every measurement and are often surprised what is possible with the new instruments. In addition to the good focusing, the great dynamic range, i.e. the possibility of detecting even extremely small reflection signals, is the great advantage of the new instrument.

* The author is Product Manager Radar, Vega Grieshaber KG, Schiltach/Germany.

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