Determination of truck load by microwave and millimeter-wave imaging

Freight transportation service by truck is an extremely growing market all over the world. Consequently, optimization of truck’s capacity utilization by in-situ estimation of load distribution with a fast and stand-off monitoring sensor is useful. MWs or MMWs used in radars and radiometers can penetrate thin dielectric walls like synthetic truck canvas. Such systems can deliver also valuable information for security applications, e.g. about illegal transportation attempts. This paper describes the application of DLR’s experimental MW radar and MMW radiometers used for estimation of truck load under controlled driving conditions of a test truck. Experimental imaging results of both systems are presented.