Interview: Christoph Müller
How long have you been working as a product developer at VEGA?
18 years.
And always in the field of radar?
Yes, right from the start I’ve been involved in radar development – as long as I’ve been here.
How did you get the idea to develop an 80-GHz level transmitter for liquids?
80-GHz sensors were already being used for bulk solids and since their introduction they have worked very well, we began testing this technology with liquids. The first test results were quickly available and looked really good. So the decision was made to go ahead and develop an 80-GHz radar for liquids.
Was it one person in particular who had this idea?
No, the idea came from the team as a whole.
18 years.
And always in the field of radar?
Yes, right from the start I’ve been involved in radar development – as long as I’ve been here.
How did you get the idea to develop an 80-GHz level transmitter for liquids?
80-GHz sensors were already being used for bulk solids and since their introduction they have worked very well, we began testing this technology with liquids. The first test results were quickly available and looked really good. So the decision was made to go ahead and develop an 80-GHz radar for liquids.
Was it one person in particular who had this idea?
No, the idea came from the team as a whole.
What was especially exciting about the development process?
It was also a real challenge dealing with those high frequencies for the measurement technology we required. We were working with very different components, everything is much smaller, you need special manufacturing methods to achieve your goal. Assembling such tiny components is a completely different world!
It was also a real challenge dealing with those high frequencies for the measurement technology we required. We were working with very different components, everything is much smaller, you need special manufacturing methods to achieve your goal. Assembling such tiny components is a completely different world!
How many people were involved?
That's difficult to say because many areas of expertise were involved in the effort. There were three or four colleagues from the areas of microwave and hardware who were more heavily involved, but also quite a few people from the area of software also took part. So I think it was about 20 of us altogether.
Were there any doubts about the success of the project?
None whatsoever, Preliminary tests had already been carried out and shown that it would work, so after the decision was made to start, great certainty prevailed.
That's difficult to say because many areas of expertise were involved in the effort. There were three or four colleagues from the areas of microwave and hardware who were more heavily involved, but also quite a few people from the area of software also took part. So I think it was about 20 of us altogether.
Were there any doubts about the success of the project?
None whatsoever, Preliminary tests had already been carried out and shown that it would work, so after the decision was made to start, great certainty prevailed.
What fascinates you most about VEGAPULS 64?
That it works so well ... so smoothly. Our customers have no difficulty in using the instrument. VEGAPULS 64 can be screwed onto the container and it starts measuring immediately.
That it works so well ... so smoothly. Our customers have no difficulty in using the instrument. VEGAPULS 64 can be screwed onto the container and it starts measuring immediately.
Your colleague from product management is so enthusiastic about it that he even uses one to measure the liquids in his kitchen at home. Do you do that too?
Yes, yes I know,... (he laughs).... but if that makes him feel good ;-)
What's next? Are there any new products in the pipeline?
We’re keeping that a secret for now. Higher frequencies might be a topic sometime in the future, we’ll see ...
I think it always depends on the market and what customers really need.
Yes, yes I know,... (he laughs).... but if that makes him feel good ;-)
What's next? Are there any new products in the pipeline?
We’re keeping that a secret for now. Higher frequencies might be a topic sometime in the future, we’ll see ...
I think it always depends on the market and what customers really need.
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