In the Texas Instruments technical article, “How low-power 60GHz mmWave radar sensors enable high-precision sensing in more applications,” we discussed how 60GHz millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar sensors enable high-precision sensing in industrial and consumer electronics applications. In this article, we will explore how low-power 77GHz radar sensors can help achieve reliable and accurate sensing in other challenging applications.

Radar sensors in the 77GHz band are typically used in advanced driver assistance system sensing applications such as blind spot detection and automatic emergency braking, and level transmitters for industrial tanks. However, today, there is an increasing demand for proximity and distance sensing in off-highway vehicles, e-bikes, bicycles, and parking gates. In these applications, these sensors can help achieve a safer working environment and improve comfort and efficiency during operation.

Industrial Level Sensors

Accurate and reliable level measurement is critical to the oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, drinking water and wastewater management, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and mining industries. Radar sensors using 77GHz band millimeter wave radar 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 perform non-contact measurements of corrosive, abrasive or sticky materials. Operating at a bandwidth of 76 GHz to 81 GHz, these sensors can reliably detect small changes in material levels and provide accurate measurements at long distances, turbulence, foam, steam, dust, water vapor, temperature changes or wet conditions. The wide bandwidth allows for a larger gap between the start and end frequencies of the radar linear frequency modulation pulse, which improves the distance resolution. As a result, radar sensors help improve the safety of industrial environments and enable remote level detection without the need for personnel to physically enter dangerous or hard-to-reach areas. For battery-powered operation, the battery life of low-power radars can last for many years without maintenance.

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

Figure 1: Industrial liquid tank

E-bikes and bicycles

In recent years, electric bicycles have become very popular as an efficient and sustainable mode of transportation. However, whether riding an electric bicycle or a regular bicycle, accidents can easily occur when it is difficult for pedestrians or other vehicles on the road to see the rider (especially in low light, foggy weather, etc.).

Radar sensors such as the IWRL1432 improve rider safety by providing forward or rear proximity warning or collision detection. Radar sensors can warn riders or people in approaching vehicles of a potential collision through visual or audible signals. Figure 2 shows a scenario where radar sensors can improve rider safety.

Figure 2: Radar sensors help improve rider safety

Parking lot gate sensor

Sensor technology plays a vital role in providing efficient and safe parking lot access control. Infrared and ultrasonic sensors are installed near the entrance or exit of the parking lot to detect the presence of vehicles. However, these 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 overcome these limitations by offering a longer detection range (>10m) and wider field of view (150 degrees), enabling access control at greater distances and wider entrances. Such sensors also perform well in harsh environmental conditions such as rain and extreme temperatures. Radar sensors can differentiate between vehicles and pedestrians to ensure that the door is opened only when a vehicle is detected. Radar sensors can also be easily integrated into access control systems, door controllers, and parking management software.

Off-highway vehicles

Agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and other off-highway vehicles utilize radar sensors to provide valuable information and assist in the performance of a variety of tasks. They can detect nearby obstacles, such as trees and other mechanical equipment, to help avoid collisions when maneuvering large, heavy equipment. 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 providing Safety Integrity Level 2 sensing capabilities in the 77GHz range, the IWRL1432 radar sensor can help improve the efficiency and safety of off-highway vehicle operations.

Conclusion

With the 77GHz radar sensor IWRL1432, designers can meet the challenges in various sensing applications, such as industrial level sensors, electric bicycles, parking gates, and off-highway vehicles. This low-power sensor can maintain reliable operation in various environmental conditions, and has a wide field of view and high accuracy, thus helping you achieve efficient and high-performance sensing solutions.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) is a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures, tests and sells analog and embedded processing chips for markets such as industrial, automotive, personal electronics, communications equipment and enterprise systems. We are committed to creating a better world by making electronics more affordable and practical through semiconductor technology. Today, each generation of innovation builds on the previous generation of innovation, making our technology smaller, faster, more reliable and more affordable, enabling the widespread use of semiconductors in electronics. This is engineering progress. This is what we have been doing for decades and even now. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.kkpcb.net