A Fluid/Fuel Level Sensor Using Micropower Impulse Radar Technology

A new sensing technology has been developed by the U.S. Department of Energy that makes possible non-mechanical means of position sensing, fluid level measurement, occupant sensing, distance measurement, and materials analysis. This technology is called Micropowered Impulse Radar or MIR.

MIR technology can be used for direct measurements using a probe, or remote measurements with an antenna. Although many new and unique sensor applications are possible using MIR, this paper covers the description, design and characteristics of a time domain reflectometer (TDR) fuel/fluid level sensor using MIR technology. A comparison with other non-mechanical fuel level measurement technologies will be made.