Radar Velocity Meter | Non-Contact Surface Flow Measurement | Frankstar,
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Technical Specifications

Product Features

Non-Contact Radar Velocity Measurement

The Radar Velocity Meter adopts advanced microwave radar technology to measure surface water velocity without direct contact with water, eliminating the impact of sediment, debris, and water contamination on sensor performance.

High-Accuracy Flow Velocity Detection

Using Doppler radar measurement principles and intelligent signal processing algorithms, the device provides accurate and stable surface velocity measurements for rivers, channels, and open water applications.

Reliable Operation in Harsh Environments

The non-contact design allows stable operation under extreme conditions such as high sediment concentration, floating debris, strong currents, and fluctuating water levels.

Real-Time Continuous Monitoring

The system enables continuous velocity observation and automatic data acquisition, providing real-time information for hydrological analysis and water management.

Easy Installation & Low Maintenance

Without the need for underwater installation, the radar velocity meter can be installed above the water surface, reducing maintenance requirements and improving operational safety.

Flexible Integration with Monitoring Systems

Supports connection with RTU terminals, telemetry systems, and cloud platforms for remote data transmission, automated monitoring, and intelligent water management.

Product Uses

• Measure surface water velocity in rivers, channels, and open water bodies.
• Monitor real-time flow velocity changes for hydrological observation.
• Provide flow velocity data for discharge calculation and water resource management.
• Support flood monitoring and early warning systems.
• Collect long-term flow data for hydraulic analysis and research.
• Enable automatic and remote flow monitoring without manual measurement.
• Integrate with water level sensors to achieve comprehensive flow measurement.

Product Applications

River Flow Monitoring

Used in rivers, streams, and watershed monitoring systems to measure surface flow velocity and support hydrological analysis and flood forecasting.

Flood Warning & Emergency Response

Provides real-time velocity data during extreme weather events, helping improve flood risk assessment and emergency management.

Open Channel Flow Measurement

Applied in irrigation canals, drainage channels, and water diversion systems for continuous flow monitoring and water distribution management.

Smart Water Conservancy

Integrated into intelligent water management systems for automated monitoring of rivers, reservoirs, and hydraulic facilities.

Hydraulic Engineering Projects

Used in dams, bridges, hydropower facilities, and other hydraulic structures for flow condition assessment and engineering analysis.

Environmental Monitoring & Scientific Research

Provides reliable flow velocity data for river ecology studies, environmental flow assessment, and hydrodynamic research.

Urban Drainage & Stormwater Management

Applied in urban waterways and drainage networks to monitor flow conditions and support urban flood prevention.

# Radar Velocity Meter

## Non-Contact Surface Flow Velocity Measurement for Rivers, Channels, and Culverts

The Frankstar Radar Velocity Meter is a fully integrated velocity measurement instrument built on a compact platform that combines a microstrip antenna, a sensitive RF front-end, and an advanced signal processing unit into a single durable enclosure. Designed for professionals who require accurate, maintenance-friendly surface flow data without the complications of in-water sensors, this radar outputs target velocity information directly, eliminating the need for complex external processing.

At the heart of the device lies an imported German integrated chip coupled with a front-end low-noise amplifier. This combination delivers the ultra-high sensitivity necessary to detect and measure surface water velocities reliably, even under difficult environmental conditions. Whether deployed on a bridge pier monitoring a flood-stage river or mounted inside a confined underground culvert, the system provides steady, repeatable readings where traditional mechanical or acoustic meters struggle.

### How the Measurement Principle Works

The Radar Velocity Meter operates using the well-established Doppler principle. The device transmits a microwave signal toward the water surface at a known frequency. When that signal reflects off moving surface water, its frequency shifts in proportion to the water velocity. The integrated signal processor captures this frequency change and converts it to an accurate velocity reading in real time. This non-contact approach means the sensor never touches the water, eliminating fouling, driftwood impact, and corrosion risks that degrade in-stream instruments.

Microwave radar holds a decisive operational advantage: it remains fundamentally unaffected by temperature gradients, barometric pressure changes, air density variations, wind, rainfall, or fog. The instrument can therefore maintain all-weather, all-time continuous monitoring without the data gaps caused by environmental interference that optical or acoustic devices can experience during storms or rapid weather shifts.

### Key Technical Features

- **Ultra-High Sensitivity RF Design:** The front-end low-noise amplifier paired with the German-sourced chipset ensures the radar can detect very weak return signals. This translates to reliable measurement even on smooth, low-turbulence water surfaces.
- **Low Starting Speed and Wide Measuring Range:** The instrument begins measuring at very low flow velocities, making it suitable for both sluggish base-flow conditions and high-discharge flood events within the same monitoring station.
- **Built-In Tilt Compensation:** Installations are rarely perfectly vertical. The onboard tilt compensation automatically corrects for angular offset, preserving measurement accuracy without requiring the user to machine custom brackets or perform extensive manual calculations.
- **Onboard Gain Adjustment:** Signal amplification can be tuned to suit the specific surface conditions of the monitoring site, from glassy canal water to aerated, turbulent storm flow.
- **Direct Velocity Output:** Real-time velocity data is available as a direct output, simplifying integration with data loggers, SCADA systems, and telemetry units.

### Simplified Installation and Integration

Field installation is designed to be straightforward. The compact, sealed housing mounts above the water surface on a standard bracket, handrail, or bridge structure. There is no need for underwater cabling, divers, or cofferdams. Once mechanically secured, the integrated tilt compensation and configurable gain settings reduce commissioning to a quick configuration routine, allowing operator teams to bring stations online rapidly and with minimal specialized training.

### Comprehensive Monitoring Applications

The Radar Velocity Meter addresses a wide range of operational requirements in hydrology, environmental management, and water infrastructure. Relevant monitoring scenarios include:

- **River and Stream Gauging:** Continuous surface velocity measurement at established gauging stations for discharge calculation, flood early warning, and water resource assessment.
- **Open Channel and Irrigation Canal Monitoring:** Flow monitoring in engineered channels where stable hydraulic conditions demand precise velocity data for water accounting and distribution control.
- **Underground Culvert and Pipeline Networks:** Velocity monitoring in enclosed spaces where access is restricted, atmospheres may be hazardous, and non-contact measurement significantly reduces inspection frequency and risk.
- **Stormwater and Urban Drainage Systems:** Monitoring flow pulses during rain events to support real-time network management and overflow prediction.

### Building an Online Flow Monitoring System

While the radar velocity meter is a capable standalone instrument, its true value in volumetric flow applications emerges when paired with a compatible water level gauge. The velocity data from the radar and the cross-sectional area derived from water level measurement can be processed together to compute total discharge in real time. This combined architecture forms a complete online flow monitoring system suitable for permanent, unattended stations that report continuous flow data to central databases or cloud platforms.

### Engineered for Reliable Field Performance

Frankstar designs its instruments with the understanding that field deployments are demanding. The non-contact microwave measurement principle effectively decouples data quality from many common failure modes found in contact sensors. The radar velocity meter does not accumulate sediment, is not prone to freezing damage when deployed above ice-covered water, and requires minimal field maintenance beyond occasional inspection of the mounting structure and radome surface.

The all-weather capability ensures that monitoring programs capture critical data during extreme events—exactly the periods when flow information is most valuable for flood management, infrastructure protection, and environmental compliance reporting.

### Procurement and Technical Support

Frankstar supplies the Radar Velocity Meter to oceanographic institutes, hydrological agencies, environmental monitoring authorities, and engineering integrators worldwide. For detailed technical documentation, integration assistance, or to request a quotation for your monitoring project, please contact the Frankstar sales and support team through the official website.

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*To discuss how the Radar Velocity Meter can support your flow monitoring requirements, visit the product page or reach out to Frankstar directly.*