The use of microwave distance measuring instruments in industrial plant control systems

MRA7 microwave electronic distance measuring (EDM) instruments are currently being used in industrial control and monitoring applications. The MRA7 is a microwave EDM working at 16 GHz that was designed for long range military survey use up to 50 km and to withstand hostile environments. It is normally battery powered and controlled from a hand held control unit to facilitate field survey measurements. A high velocity version is described that is being installed to monitor the position of a deep mine hoist cage for safety reasons and to cut operating costs. The author also describes the use of the MRA7 in British Steel´s Ravenscraig coking plants, where hopper cars are positioned accurately and timely to maximise coke production and minimise energy consumption