Tough radar sensor for collision avoidance

The SICK RMS1000 Radar Sensor has been designed to achieve new levels of availability and 24/7 detection performance in challenging conditions, for example on rail-mounted gantry cranes, vehicle docking bays or industrial doors in cold storage areas.

SICK has spent several years developing a new platform for anti-collision radar sensor technology and the SICK RMS1000 is the latest release in the product family. The RMS1000 achieves long-range resolution and distance accuracy where radar technology is selected because of the harsh operating conditions, such as where heavy rain, thick fog, heavy snow or extremely dusty environments are prevalent.  

SICK UK national product manager Neil Sandhu, explains: “Radar technology can be the best choice where the operating conditions mean other technologies such as LiDAR or ultrasonic are less reliable. SICK’s newly developed technology excels in reliability and is easily adaptable to whatever the layout or conditions are on the ground.”

The SICK RMS1000 uses 61GHz FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) technology to detect obstacles up to 100m away in up to four monitored areas simultaneously, as well as to determine distance and radial speed. The rugged and compact IP67/IP69-rated sensor can be easily fitted to offer more robust protection to existing operating machinery, as well as integration into new machinery designs.

Adjustment of the sensor’s parameters is straightforward using SICK’s free-to-use SOPAS AIR software tool using a standard web browser. Users can set up to four freely-configurable monitoring areas, as well as adjust the sensor’s 120° operating angle to adapt to the application. The large scanning range allows for detection angles of ± 60° (azimuth) and ± 4° (elevation).

Flexible integration is assured for a wide range of industrial machinery with two digital inputs and four digital outputs, supporting, for example, external warning lights or audible alarms. In addition, the SICK RMS1000 can transmit raw data via both Ethernet TCP/IP and CAN J1939 protocols, enabling distance and radial speed measurements to be integrated in machine controls, or to support cab-mounted driver assistance systems in off-road industrial vehicles. 

The SICK RMS1000 has a robust aluminium housing and, because radar technology has no moving parts, it is highly robust to shocks and vibration. Designed to work in extreme cold or high temperatures between -40°C to +65°C, the RMS1000’s pressure-compensation diaphragm also protects against the effects of rapid changes of temperature, such as those caused by high-pressure, high-temperature, cleaning jets at close range. Waterproof to a depth of 1m, the sensor has easy-to-integrate corrosion-proof nickel-plated M12 plug connectors.

The SICK RMS1000 is a 1D radar sensor, the first in a roll-out of radar sensors on the same robust new platform, which will see 2D and 3D models launched in the near future. With low power requirements, the RMS1000 can be powered by solar panels, or batteries, and used day and night 365 days a year.

The Radar sensor platform has been developed to complement SICK’s existing portfolios of LiDAR and ultrasonic technologies to enable the best technology to be selected according to price and performance for each application.

For more information, visit www.sick.co.uk