Phased array radar for fluid sensing

A method to monitor a covered enclosure's bottom surface(s) having at least one of an open channel inlet and open channel outlet for material flow, comprising:

• mounting a protective environmental casing, containing a phased array radar sensor with a 2-D antenna array on a chip, a processor, a power source, a communication module, and a motion detector, proximal to a bottom of a lid of the covered enclosure or an upper side surface of the enclosure;
• scanning an electronically steered radar beam to create a three-dimensional image data within the phased array radar sensor's field of view, to create an image of at least a bottom and walls of the enclosure, shapes or obstructions below the lid, and sense directions for measurements, wherein the steered radar beam illuminates a radar reflective element disposed within the covered enclosure, providing a secondary path for the radar beam;
• measuring at least a level of material or powder in a bottom of the enclosure, a level of liquid in the open channel inlet and open channel outlet, a position of the open channel inlet and open channel outlet, and a speed of fluid in the open channel inlet and open channel outlet;
• processing the data from the phased array radar sensor;
• detecting motion of at least one of the environmental casing and lid, wherein upon detection of motion, subsequently rescanning after a predetermined period of time to establish a recalibrated three-dimensional image date;
• communicating at least one of the detected motion and processed data to an external server;
• and
• receiving instructions from the server for at least one of scanning and measuring,
• wherein real-time level and flow data in the enclosure is obtained.