Siemens unveils new continuous radar level measurement transmitter
Siemens - SITRANS LR 460
SITRANS LR 460 is the new continuous radar level measurement transmitter from Siemens featuring 24 GHz FMCW (frequency-modulated continuous wave) technology and process intelligence echo processing.
The SITRANS LR 460 features high performance on difficult solids applications. Built on the SITRANS LR 400 platform, the SITRANS LR 460 is the ideal solution for solids applications containing intense dust, high temperatures, and long ranges up to 100m.
Virtually any solid medium can be measured, including cement powder, fly-ash, coal, gypsum, flour, grain, aggregates and plastics. With new process intelligence advanced echo-processing software and completely re-designed high frequency/high gain circuitry; SITRANS LR 460 is able to reliably measure these difficult applications – without ever touching the material.
Process intelligence signal analysis of echoes received from the application is unmatched in the industry. Siemens’ field experience in over 500,000 applications and its Sonic Intelligence software (used on ultrasonic transceivers) has been applied to this latest radar technology.
“The SITRANS LR 460 is very easy to set up because of its a new Quick Start Wizard that can be enabled locally at the local display (included) or remotely through SIMATIC PDM,” said Siemens Sensors and Communications Product Manager, Brad Stewart.
“After the initial setup, process intelligence takes over, responding automatically to changing material slope conditions and physical silo features such as fixed obstructions or build-up. The result is repeatable, fast, and reliable continuous measurement of your material during static, discharge, or filling conditions”, Stewart added.
The SITRANS LR 460 is designed for low loss and high gain, thus increasing the signal-to-noise ratio an additional 20dB over the previous SITRANS LR 400. This innovation allows for detection of very low dielectric constant materials at long ranges. This measurement is possible with a small horn antenna of only 100mm (4”) diameter; no large diameter parabolic dish is required.
Intense dust in the silo atmosphere does not attenuate the SITRANS LR 460 radar signal, as the SITRANS LR 460 uses electromagnetic waves at 24GHz travelling at the speed of light to measure the distance to the material surface. With the built-in Easy Aimer, it is simple to install and orient the SITRANS LR 460.
The SITRANS LR 460 can be positioned perfectly relative to the sloped surface of the material, improving the return signal quality. Ample room is provided for wiring and rugged screw terminals are provided, allowing fast and easy installation and wiring.
The infrared handheld programmer is non-intrusive, allowing the SITRANS LR 460 to be programmed without opening the cover. Extreme process temperatures up to 200 degree Celsius can be accommodated and material temperature is unlimited. Optional self-cleaning purging connection and dust covers are available to prevent sticky solids from building up inside the antenna.
27-May-2008