Determining CIR radar locations

Owned by Katherine Lund-Yates (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Oct 13, 2016
2 min read

The CIR sensor has been designed as a versatile sensor that can be used for a wide range of applications. This section will provide some examples of suitable radar locations, from which you should be able to gain an understanding of how to position the radar for your specific application. 

Radar sensor locations

Radar sensors must be positioned in such a location that they have optimum 'line of sight' to the objects they are to detect. CIR radar sensors scan in a horizontal beam, relative to the base of the sensor. If the sensor is mounted at an angle, the area that the radar scans will remain horizontal to the radar's base.

The radar data will produce a "peak" should an object appear within a detection zone, which can be used by software to generate alarms, adjust machinery or force stop vehicles. This zone is software configurable to lie within the scan area. Other factors to consider when choosing a mounting location include how close the radar is to a power source on the machine. Also accessibility, both for installation and on-going maintenance.

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Example 1 - Radar installed on top of a vehicle for navigation

Due to its nature, the radar sensor will always have a blind spot directly below it, and the higher the sensor is mounted, the wider this blind spot will be. If the area close in to the vehicle must be monitored,consider placing the radar as low as possible. It is important to note that it is quite rare that the radar needs to be sensing in it's immediate surroundings; if an object is detected at 10m away, this should be considered by the software programme, and the vehicle can behave accordingly once it has moved closer.

Often radars will be used for navigation and will utilise radar targets in order to do this. By detecting strategically placed targets around a site, the sensor can be used to precisely locate a vehicle's position. If this is the case, ensure that the sensor is mounted in a position on the vehicle that is unobstructed in all directions. 

Example 2 - Radar mounted on a stacker reclaimer, scanning vertically

When the sensor is required to monitor stockpiles, the radar needs to be positioned on the side of the boom, perpendicular to the machine. This will mean that the radar is now scanning vertically, rather than on a horizontal plane, which will provide a more comprehensive view of the changing levels of the stockpile. The view from the radar to beyond the end of the boom should be unimpaired, as any protruding parts of the machine will block the line of "sight". If possible the radar should be placed in front of or on any protruding objects. 

For stockpile monitoring, a sensor will need to be placed on either side of the boom in order to monitor the change in level each time a bucket wheel cleans the pile. 

Further examples

For more examples of how the CIR sensor can be mounted, please see the section on determining radar locations for the I - Series. 

Next: Mounting and connecting the CIR sensor