06.11.2024
The world's first radar sensor for short-range measurement
Precise, robust, fast and available soon - The problem solver among sensors

The Balluff BRS radar sensor is the new flagship of 122 GHz sensors. During development, the focus was placed on applications that have not yet been solved or have only been solved inadequately. This allowed valuable feedback from customers to be incorporated into the development process. The result is the world's first sensor to use the advantages of radar technology in the area of near-field object detection and distance measurement. To meet our customers' requirements, the sensor is equipped with the standardized M30 housing with protection class IP69K and the industrial standard interfaces IO-Link and analog.
The Balluff BRS radar sensor will be available soon.
The advantages of radar sensors at a glance
- Longer switching distance than inductive sensors, for example
- Robust against dust, dirt, moisture, direct light or darkness
- Reliable detection of objects where optical sensors fail due to environmental conditions
- Insensitive to magnetic or electric fields
- Measurements through various materials possible
Technical details
Radar sensor with IO-Link and analogue interface - for maximum flexibility in terms of parameterization and digital and analog outputs
High accuracy and resolution of down to 1 mm and high selectivity between objects for error-free detection even of small objects
Switching frequency of up to 1kHz for the detection of more than 100,000 objects per hour
Lowest blind zone of only 100 mm* (*depending on the target object and ambient conditions; possibly reduced resolution/accuracy; compared to other 122 GHz sensors)
Narrow detection beam of only 10° (elevation and azimuth) for the best possible focusing on the target object
Exemplary applications in practice
1. Detecting bottles at top speed
Challenge:
A customer is looking for a sensor that is fast enough to detect more than 100,000 bottles per hour. They are currently measuring with ultrasonic sensors, which are clearly too slow. In addition, light barrier sensors used as an alternative quickly become blind due to the cleaning agents used.
Solution:
A radar sensor in an M30 housing operating at 122 GHz can detect the bottles precisely and at high speeds via a 5V switching output. The sensor is parameterized via the IO-Link industry standard.
Advantages:
- The sensor offers the required high speed
- The sensor also works in harsh environmental conditions
2. Detecting tires
Challenge:
The optical light barriers used today have problems detecting tires due to their matte black surface and the printed or glued labels.
In addition, light arrays and reflectors are damaged by the tires, and the light barriers do not function properly as soon as dirt and impurities accumulate on the surface.
Solution:
Radar sensors in a compact M30 housing can be used to reliably detect tires on a conveyor belt.
Advantages:
- Despite the difficult conditions, radar sensors work perfectly here
- The tires are detected smoothly and reliably
- High range flexibility from short to long distances
- IO-Link incl. SIO mode for easy integration and fast object detection