Contactless radar level measurement is more accurate, more versatile and simpler 

New opportunities for countless applications

With the VEGAPULS 6X series, non-contact radar level measurement becomes possible for even more applications thanks to a new chip and a newly developed antenna system. Choosing and configuring a new sensor is also made much easier than before by the new 6X platform. The 6X platform is also intrinsically cybersecure, making the sensor, with increasingly stringent requirements around cybersecurity, future-proof.

Non-contact radar level measurement has proven itself in recent years as a robust and accurate technique for numerous applications. Yet with the introduction of the VEGAPULS 6X series, this technique has been further improved over previous generations of radar level meters. "With our first generation of level meters, we still had to deal with certain limits," says Rob Smulders, Business Development Manager at VEGA. "Previously, for example, we could work up to a maximum of forty bar with our high-frequency radar. Nowadays that's one hundred and sixty bar. A similar story applies to temperatures. Now we can still measure levels in these kinds of very difficult situations with our high transmission frequency of 80 GHz."

Specifically, it means that certain applications, which previously could really only be equipped with other measurement principles - guided radar, for example - can now be excellently equipped with non-contact radar. "And that's actually always more beneficial," Smulders knows. "If you don't have to touch something, that's better for everything."

Difference in practice

That non-contact measurement with the 6X generation provides process improvements, Smulders knows from practice. "I recently had a customer who was able to achieve about five percent more uptime thanks to the 6X sensor. If you tell that at a birthday party, your cousin might not fall off his chair right away, but five percent is the difference between a process that was just about right before and a process that suddenly does run smoothly. Another customer of ours, Kemira, which produces specialty fluids for the oil and gas industry, went from a level measurement that was reliable for less than 90% to one that is 96% reliable with the 6X level meter. That really makes a big difference in your process."

High dynamic range

VEGA is not the only party building 80GHz radar level meters. "The technology has been around for about ten years now and several parties are using the technology in their sensors," Smulders explained. "We are the only party that specializes in this, though, and we have invested in this to the maximum extent possible. We have developed the 6X chip, the heart of the sensor, in-house and produce it all ourselves. So I really dare to say out loud that we make the best non-contact radar level meter."

The 6X chip, together with the newly developed antenna system, provides a measurement with a tremendously high dynamic range and very low noise. "So you have less interference from the radar signal, so a cleaner signal goes into the vessel and a cleaner signal comes back. That means that our sensor, in applications where other parties' sensors fail, still gives excellent results."

Ordering online

Whereas VEGA previously had an entire range of radar level meters in its product line, all types of non-contact level meters are now housed in the 6X platform. "Before, you had to know what version and specifications you needed for your process before you could order the right sensor. With the 6X platform, you go through a series of questions, after which you can configure a 6X sensor for your specific process. So each 6X sensor is also unique and made-to-order. All the sensors in the 6X series are made on the 6X platform, but each has its individual specific characteristics."

According to Smulders, this new way of working is partly the result of changes in the process industry. "There are staff shortages, the old hands are leaving the profession, and the new generation has to find the time to configure and order a series of new level gauges 'just a little'. We make that configuration and ordering process a lot easier for them. Moreover, that complete process can now also be realized entirely online. By the way, it can still be done the traditional way: send us the drawings of your process and we will provide the right sensor. The investment is the same in both cases."

(Cyber)security and safety

Safety was strongly considered in the development of the VEGAPULS 6X platform. Not only with process safety, because every 6X is also available in ATEX and SIL, but also with cybersecurity. "In the market you see that the end user is still hardly concerned with cybersecurity of measuring equipment in the process, but we think it is important," Smulders explains. "So our complete 6X platform meets the international IEC 62443-4-2 standard with respect to cybersecurity. That means the design is intrinsically cybersecure. You can't make an existing sensor cybersecure afterwards, it doesn't work that way. So we designed the 6X platform from the drawing board with cybersecurity as a basic requirement. I think it's a nice thought that if you invest a lot of money in new measurement equipment, that it will be ready for the future."

VEGA anticipates not only safety, but also the new communication protocol that is coming. "Starting next year, the VEGAPULS 6X sensors will also be available in APL," Smulders concludes. "With this fast protocol, non-contact radar will become possible for even more applications."