Low power radar level instrument with enhanced diagnostics
First Claim
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1. A low power radar level instrument with enhanced diagnostics, the instrument comprising:
- a probe having a reference impedance discontinuity and extendable into a process product through a process product interface;
a transceiver coupled to the probe, the transceiver adapted to generate a microwave transmit pulse which is transmitted along the probe into the process product, a first portion of the transmit pulse being reflected at the reference impedance discontinuity and forming a first reflected wave pulse, and a second portion of the transmit pulse being reflected at the product interface and forming a second reflected wave pulse, wherein the transceiver is also adapted to receive the reflected first and second portions; and
a processor coupled to the transceiver and adapted to provide a diagnostic signal as a function of amplitude of the reflected first portion, and adapted to provide a level output indicative of process product height based upon time of detection of the reflected second portion.
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Abstract
A low power radar level instrument with enhanced diagnostics is disclosed. A microwave transceiver generates a microwave signal that travels along a termination, through a reference impedance discontinuity, and into a process product interface. A first portion of the signal is reflected by the reference impedance discontinuity, and a second portion is reflected by a process product interface. A diagnostic signal is provided based upon a characteristic of the first reflected portion. A level output is provided based upon the first and second reflected portions.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A low power radar level instrument with enhanced diagnostics, the instrument comprising:
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a probe having a reference impedance discontinuity and extendable into a process product through a process product interface;
a transceiver coupled to the probe, the transceiver adapted to generate a microwave transmit pulse which is transmitted along the probe into the process product, a first portion of the transmit pulse being reflected at the reference impedance discontinuity and forming a first reflected wave pulse, and a second portion of the transmit pulse being reflected at the product interface and forming a second reflected wave pulse, wherein the transceiver is also adapted to receive the reflected first and second portions; and
a processor coupled to the transceiver and adapted to provide a diagnostic signal as a function of amplitude of the reflected first portion, and adapted to provide a level output indicative of process product height based upon time of detection of the reflected second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A low power radar level instrument with enhanced diagnostics, the instrument comprising:
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means for guiding microwave energy through a reference impedance discontinuity and into a process product through a process product interface;
means for generating a microwave transmit pulse that is transmitted along the means for guiding, a first portion of the transmit pulse being reflected at the reference impedance discontinuity and forming a first reflected wave pulse, and a second portion of the transmit pulse being reflected at the product interface and forming a second reflected wave pulse;
means for receiving the reflected wave pulses; and
means for providing a diagnostic signal as a function of amplitude of the reflected first portion, and for providing a level output indicative of process product height based upon time of detection of the reflected second portion.
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15. A method of providing enhanced diagnostics with a low power radar level instrument, the method comprising:
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generating a microwave transmit pulse and directing the transmit pulse through a reference impedance discontinuity;
receiving a first reflected wave from the reference impedance discontinuity; and
providing a diagnostic output based upon a characteristic of the first reflected wave. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
directing the microwave transmit pulse to a process product interface;
receiving a second reflected wave portion from the process product interface;
providing a process product level output based upon reception of the second reflected wave portion.
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20. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the diagnostic output includes comparing the amplitude of the first reflected wave with at least one pre-selected limit.
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21. A computer readable medium having stored instructions for execution on a processor associated with a low-power radar level instrument, the medium comprising:
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instructions for causing a low-power microwave instrument to generate a microwave transmit pulse that is transmitted along a waveguide, a first portion of the transmit pulse being reflected at a reference impedance discontinuity and forming a first reflected wave pulse, and a second portion of the transmit pulse being reflected at a product interface and forming a second reflected wave pulse;
instructions for receiving the reflected wave pulses; and
instructions for providing a diagnostic signal as a function of amplitude of the reflected first portion, and for providing a level output indicative of process product height based upon time of detection of the reflected second portion.
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Specification