Many quantities in agribusiness applications are measured based on distance. Ultrasonic sensors have long been used for this purpose, due to their reliability, affordability and easy integration. Like any sensor technology, ultrasonic also has limitations. In outdoor applications, weather conditions such as rain and snow can affect performance, and sound waves can be dispersed. That said, ultrasonic sensors are widely used in agribusiness applications because there are no serious alternatives. Or rather, there were no serious alternatives.
In recent years, radar has become an increasingly affordable method for measuring distances. Distance measurement with radar is not new, of course: Everyone knows about its use at airports. But for a long time, the costs involved created an affordability barrier. Radar sensors have been used for decades in industrial applications, such as in the oil sector to measure levels in bulk terminals. The expense of a few thousand euros didn't make much difference in projects worth billions. But for the average agribusiness application, that price tag was obviously far too big.
Smaller, smarter, and more powerful
Compact, efficient, and affordable radar systems are now available, thanks to miniaturization and chip integration. These developments make radars easy to integrate into applications. In addition, the resolution and accuracy of radar sensors have improved significantly, allowing them to detect smaller objects at greater distances and make more accurate measurements.
One-chip radar
Miniaturization has advanced to the point that semiconductor manufacturers can now supply one-chip radars. These are fully integrated radar systems on a single chip, including antennas. This technology combines the advantages of compactness and power in a chip with radar capabilities. One-chip radars are used in a variety of sectors, such as in cars for adaptive cruise control and in industry for measuring speed and contents.
Radar works based on time of flight: The sensor transmits an RF signal and receives reflections of this signal. The sensor then measures the time taken for a signal to return.
Why would you choose radar?
Are you unsure whether radar will really make a difference in your application? We understand. Ultrasonic technology remains an excellent choice in many situations, but there are clear instances where radar goes the extra mile. Think of working in changing weather conditions, longer measurement distances, or applications where reliability is crucial.
In this blog, you’ll find the 5 benefits of radar for agricultural applications. You’ll discover when radar truly offers added value and why more and more machine builders in the agricultural sector are embracing this technology.
