Remote River Level Monitoring System for Distance Control Station
Application Background
A customer required a remote river level monitoring system to measure water levels from 0 to 15 meters and transmit the data to a control station located 11 km away.
The monitoring site is located in a remote river area where no cellular signal is available, while the control center in the city has a stable network connection. The customer also requested that the system support multiple communication options, such as GSM, WiFi, or LAN port, and asked whether a camera could be integrated for video monitoring.
In addition, the system must operate reliably in outdoor environments and provide stable water level data for river monitoring.
Challenges
- Long transmission distance of 11 km between the river site and the control station
- No network signal at the river monitoring location
- Need for stable and accurate water level measurement in outdoor river environments
- Requirement for remote monitoring and possible video surveillance
- Equipment must withstand harsh outdoor conditions including lightning and weather changes
Another important factor is that ultrasonic level sensors are not suitable for river level monitoring, because their measurement can easily be affected by rain, wind, fog, or temperature changes.
HOLYKELL Solution
To address these challenges, we recommended a radar-based remote monitoring solution.
1. 80 GHz Radar Level Sensor
The system uses the HR80G 80 GHz radar level meter for water level measurement. Compared with ultrasonic technology, radar sensors are not affected by weather conditions such as rain, fog, or temperature changes, making them ideal for river and reservoir level monitoring.
Key advantages include:
- Wide measuring range, capable of deep rivers
- High frequency 80 GHz with small beam angle
- High accuracy up to ±1mm and stable measurement
- Non-contact measurement
- Reliable operation in harsh outdoor environments
2. Wireless Gateway for Data Transmission
The radar level sensor is connected to a wireless industrial gateway, which provides several communication interfaces.
However, WiFi communication is limited by transmission distance. Since the monitoring site is 11 km away from the control center, direct WiFi transmission is not practical for this application.
In areas where cellular networks such as GSM or LTE are available, long-distance data transmission can be achieved through 4G communication. In this project, since there is no signal at the river site, network connectivity is only available at the city control center.
3. Solar Power Supply
Because the monitoring location is remote and lacks power infrastructure, the system can be powered by a solar panel with battery storage, ensuring continuous and stable operation in outdoor environments.
4. Optional Industrial Camera
To enhance monitoring capabilities, an industrial outdoor camera can also be installed near the monitoring station. This allows operators to:
- Visually observe river conditions in real time
- Verify water level changes
- Improve safety during flood monitoring
The camera system can be integrated with the monitoring equipment to provide both data monitoring and video surveillance.
5. Lightning Protection
For outdoor river monitoring systems, lightning protection is essential. We recommend installing safety barriers or surge protection devices to protect sensors and communication equipment from lightning strikes and electrical surges.
System Benefits
- Accurate water level monitoring using 80 GHz radar technology
- Reliable operation in rain, fog, and harsh outdoor environments
- Flexible communication interfaces including WiFi and LAN
- Optional video monitoring with industrial cameras
- Solar-powered operation for remote locations
- Enhanced system protection with lightning protection devices
This system enables operators to monitor water levels remotely, improve flood monitoring capabilities, and ensure safe and efficient river management, even in challenging environments with limited infrastructure.
