Improve transportation and industrial design with low-power 77GHz radar sensors

Radar sensors in the 77GHz band are commonly used in advanced driver assistance system sensing applications such as blind spot detection and automatic emergency braking, and in level transmitters in industrial tanks. But today, off-highway vehicles, e-bikes, bicycles and parking gates are increasingly demanding proximity and distance sensing. These sensors can help achieve a safer working environment and improve comfort and efficiency during operation.

Industrial liquid level sensor

Accurate and reliable level measurement is essential for the oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, drinking water and wastewater management, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and mining industries. Radar sensors with millimeter wave radar in the 77GHz band help achieve high accuracy and resolution, even in challenging environments with complex reflections and interference.

The biggest advantage of radar sensors over older technologies is the ability to make non-contact measurements of corrosive, abrasive or viscous substances. Operating with bandwidths ranging from 76GHz to 81GHz, these sensors reliably detect small changes in matter levels and provide accurate measurements over long distances, in turbulent, foam, steam, dust, water vapor, temperature changes, or wet conditions. The wide band makes the gap between the start frequency and the end frequency of the radar LFM pulse larger, so as to improve the range resolution. As a result, radar sensors help improve the safety of industrial environments by enabling remote level detection without the need for people to physically enter dangerous or hard-to-reach areas. For battery-powered operation, the battery life of low-power radars can last for years without maintenance.

The IWRL1432 is a radar device in the 77GHz band that uses a low-power architecture to enable precise sensing in such applications. With a built-in deep sleep mode, the IWRL1432 consumes energy per measurement. 4mJ, thus providing long battery life. The output power of each transmitter in these sensors is 11dBm, enabling measurement ranges from 3cm to more than 80m. Since the hardware accelerator and microcontroller are fully integrated into a small package, no additional microcontrollers are required. Figure 1 shows an industrial tank using a radar sensor for level detection.

Electric bikes and bicycles

Electric bicycles have gained popularity in recent years as an efficient and sustainable mode of transportation. However, whether riding an electric bicycle or an ordinary bicycle, when pedestrians or other vehicles on the road are difficult to spot the rider (especially in low light, fog and other conditions), it is easy to have an accident.

Radar sensors such as the IWRL1432 enhance rider safety by providing forward or rear-facing short-range warning or collision detection. Radar sensors can warn riders or people in approaching vehicles via visual or auditory signals to alert them to a possible collision. Figure 2 shows a scenario where radar sensors can improve rider safety.

Parking lot gate sensor

Sensor technology plays a vital role in providing efficient and safe access control in parking lots. Infrared and ultrasonic sensors will be installed near the entrance or exit of the parking lot to detect the presence of vehicles. However, such sensors not only have a limited detection range, but are often inaccurate in the presence of dust, temperature changes, or sound waves.

Radar sensors such as the IWRL1432 provide a wider detection range (> 10m) and a wider field of view (150 degrees) overcome these limitations, enabling access control over longer distances and wider entrances and exits. These sensors also perform well in harsh environmental conditions such as rainy days and extreme temperatures. Radar sensors can distinguish between vehicles and pedestrians to ensure they are only turned on when a vehicle is detected. In addition, radar sensors can be easily integrated into access control systems, access controllers and parking management software.

Off-highway vehicles

Agricultural machinery, construction equipment and other off-highway vehicles use radar sensors to provide valuable information and assist in various tasks. They can detect nearby obstacles, such as trees and other mechanical equipment, helping to avoid collisions when maneuvering large, bulky equipment. The radar sensors are also able to measure true ground speed, which is important on uneven, loose terrain and muddy ground. From personnel and obstacle detection to ground speed measurement to sensing capabilities that provide safety integrity Level 2 in the 77GHz range, the IWRL1432 radar sensor can help improve the operational efficiency and safety of off-highway vehicles.

Conclusion

With the 77GHz radar sensor IWRL1432, designers are able to address challenges in a variety of sensing applications, such as industrial level sensors, electric bicycles, parking garages and off-highway vehicles. This low-power sensor maintains reliable operation under a variety of environmental conditions, and has a wide field of view and high accuracy, so it helps you achieve efficient and high-performance sensing solutions.