Even in rain, snow, fog and extremely dusty conditions, the new R1Dxxx and R2Dxxx radar sensors from ifm electronic provide accurate and dependable distance measurements. These novel sensors, which use a radar beam to detect even poorly reflective surfaces, have long maximum operating ranges and can be used over a wide range of temperatures. High ingress protection ratings mean they are equally suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.

Both R1Dxxx and R2Dxxx radar sensors have an analogue output, which can be configured as 0 to 10 V or 4 to 20 mA, two digital outputs that can be associated with user-defined distance setpoints and an IO-Link digital interface. The analogue output provides a signal proportional to distance.

When the sensor’s IO-Link interface is used with ifm’s Vision Assistant software extended functionality is possible. This combination can, for example, show the distance to multiple objects simultaneously, display the profiles of objects and even measure the speed at which objects are moving. 

Typical applications for ifm’s R1Dxxx and R2Dxxx radar distance sensors include monitoring the positions of vehicles on loading and unloading ramps and of ships while docking; monitoring the position, size and speed of loads on conveyor belts; and checking the position of cars while they move through a car wash, where the ability to withstand arduous operating conditions is particularly important.

Two versions of the R1Dxxx sensors are currently available. The R1D100 has a beam spread of 40º horizontally and 30º vertically and operates at 60 to 64 GHz. While the R1D200 has a beam spread of 40º horizontally and 20º vertically and an operating frequency between 77 and 81 GHz.

Two versions of the R2Dxxx sensors are currently available. The R2D100 has a beam spread of 140º horizontally and 50º vertically and operates between 60 GHz to 64 GHz. While the R2D200 has a beam spread of 140º horizontally and 30º vertically and an operating frequency of 77 GHz to 81 GHz.