The 77 GHz radar module from Wellenzahl is based on the IWR1443. This frontend from Texas Instruments is a tradeoff between power consumption and processing power compared to the other available IWR/AWR radar frontends. We have focussed on the IWR1443 especially for filling level applications. Therefore a low power consumption (e.g. the usage at battery supplied systems) and enough processing power to cover a variety of filling level algorithms is mandatory.

To cover the frequency regulations an antenna with a high aperture is essential to cover the half power beamwidth and side-lobe level requirements. This is mostly done by using a dielectric lens or an waveguide horn antenna. For both scenarios a monostatic radar approach is best suited which means that the radar module has a combined Tx and Rx antenna. Therefore 2 monostatic PCB version based on the IWR1443 radar frontend are available, one uses a aperture coupled patch antenna, the other one has an integrated WR-12 waveguide connector. The 77 GHz signal routing and Tx/Rx decoupling elements are realized on the bottom side of the PCB which minimizes the unwanted radiation of those parts. On the upper side the radiating element is completely decoupled from the signal routing achieving a symmetric radiation pattern by using a dielectric lens. This makes the design of the lens shape as easy as possible.

In general we are able to integrate also other IWR/AWR devices as we're listed at the TI Third-Party-Network.

The basic operation parameters are listed above: