Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sensor element or an active component of a sensor element. The sensor element is applied in a field device of automation technology. The method comprises the following method steps: predetermining at least two materials with different physical and chemical properties depending on a functionality of the sensor element or the active component of the sensor element; predetermining an outer shape, into which the at least two materials should be formed, the outer shape being divided into a plurality of virtual spatial regions, wherein in each virtual spatial region the material distribution of the at least two materials occurs homogeneously and periodically according to predetermined rules corresponding to a microstructure. The method also includes steps of ascertaining the predetermined rules via a computer supported method depending on the predetermined functionality of the sensor element or the active component of the sensor element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data cable connector for a field device of process automation, wherein the data cable connector has a field device part and a data cable part. The field device part includes one or more magnetically activated switches. The data cable part includes a magnet. The field device is configured to determine from the states of the magnetically activated switches whether the data cable part is connected with the field device part, and if so, in what orientation. Based on the states of the magnetically activated switches, the field device may enable and disable communication circuits within the field device including any PHY circuits and modems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a radar-based fill-level measurement device for measuring a fill level of a fill substance located in a container. Besides a housing, the device includes an antenna and a housing neck, which is arranged between the housing and the antenna, wherein the housing neck has between the housing and the antenna a predefined thermal resistance, and at least one electronics module partially arranged in the housing neck. The thermal resistance of the housing neck is dimensioned in such a manner to be low, such that, at a temperature in the container of at least 200° C., the temperature at the electronics module is limited to, at most, 80° C. Thus, a high resolution and temperature-resistant and simultaneously compact, fill-level measurement device is provided for high radar frequencies of, for example, 79 GHz.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a differential pressure line of a differential pressure measurement arrangement includes capturing a first set number of differential pressure values, which represent a difference between a first media pressure and a second media pressure within a process, and checking whether the differential pressure measurement arrangement and/or the process are in a state that allows a diagnosis of the differential pressure line. Where it is determined that the differential pressure measurement arrangement and/or the process are not in a state that allows a diagnosis of the differential pressure line, the differential pressure values are captured anew such that the previously captured differential pressure values are deleted or overwritten. Otherwise, a diagnostic function to determine whether a differential pressure line is blocked is carried out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printed circuit board having a holder for a battery, wherein the holder includes first and second contacts connected to conductive traces of the printed circuit board and wherein the holder is embodied such that a battery inserted into the holder is clamped so that poles of the battery on opposite end faces of the battery make electrical contact with the first and second contacts. The battery lies clamped between the contacts on a support region of the printed circuit board and is oriented with reference to the printed circuit board so that an imaginary line connecting the poles of the battery is essentially in parallel with the plane of the support region. The printed circuit board has connected with the support region a rigid first section, which is essentially perpendicular to the support region, and wherein the first contact is arranged on the first section.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an electromechanical transducer unit for a field device of automation technology including a membrane having a base area and displaceable to execute mechanical oscillations, three rods secured to the membrane perpendicular to the base area, a housing, wherein the rods extend into the housing, three magnets, each secured to one of the rods opposite the membrane, and a coil having a core and secured within the housing adjacent the magnets, the coil embodied to produce a magnetic field that causes the rods to execute mechanical oscillations. The rods are secured to the membrane such that oscillations of the membrane result from the oscillations of the rods. At least one of the rods is secured to the base area where the second derivative of the deflection of the membrane from a rest position as a function of the site on the base area is essentially zero.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enabling and disabling Bluetooth communication in a WirelessHART field device of process automation technology Also disclosed is a process automation system implementing the inventive method of enabling and disabling Bluetooth communication in a WirelessHART field device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a frequency converter circuit for a radar-based distance-measuring device. The core of the frequency converter circuit is a non-linear, high-frequency component, having a frequency connection point and a signal connection point, which serves as a signal input for a low-frequency input signal. On the reception side, the frequency converter circuit comprises at least one receiving antenna for receiving the high-frequency reception signal and a non-linear semiconductor component for downconverting the high-frequency reception signal. The frequency converter circuit therefore uses the effect that, by means of the low-frequency input signal, corresponding harmonic waves are induced at the non-linear, high-frequency component. Furthermore, the high-frequency reception signal is downconverted into a low-frequency evaluation signal, whereby the further determination of the distance can be performed on the basis of the low-frequency evaluation signal, which can be processed more easily.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a field device of automation technology, comprising a housing and a sensor unit sensitive for a process variable of a medium. The housing has a passageway to accommodate the sensor unit and the sensor unit protrudes from the housing through a terminal opening of the passageway. A clamping angle and a screw are introduced into the housing in a region of the housing adjoining the opening of the passageway. By means of the screw the clamping angle is shiftable in the housing a predeterminable distance in the direction of the sensor unit, and the clamping angle shifted in the direction of the sensor unit is embodied to press with a first clamping angle section of the clamping angle radially on a clamping region of the sensor unit arranged in the housing and facing the opening of the passageway.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cover-securing mechanism for a transmitter housing closed by a screwed-on cover. The cover-securing mechanism includes a securement pin with a screw arranged at a first end region of the securement pin. A passageway, which is embodied to accommodate the securement pin, is integrated in the cover. A groove includes a circularly shaped section and is introduced into a cover facing region of the transmitter housing. The securement pin is securable at a transmitter housing far end of the cover in the passageway such that in a secured state a second end region of the securement pin protrudes inwardly into the groove and, as such, a twisting of the cover screwed onto the transmitter housing is constrained relative to the transmitter housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for tamper-proof storage of data of a field device operated by means of automation technology, wherein the field device comprises a sensor and/or actuator and an electronic unit, the field device generating data. The method comprises steps of creating at least one transaction containing generated data of the field device and storing the transaction in a data block of Blockchain technology comprising a data field containing stored transactions and a hash value. The method also includes steps of linking the data block to previously created data blocks, storing the data block in a service platform and creating and storing a security data block in the service platform.

Abstract: A method for checking the functional ability of an FMCW-based fill-level measuring device, which serves for measuring the fill level of a fill substance located in a container, as well as to a fill-level measuring device suitable for performing this method. For checking the functional ability, a microwave signal is produced, whose frequency change differs from the frequency change of the measurement signal used during regular measurement operation. By comparing the frequency of the difference signal resulting from the microwave signal with a predetermined reference frequency, it is ascertained, whether the fill-level measuring device is functionally able. Thus, the fill-level measuring device detects, independently, whether it is functionally able, or whether an error is present, caused principally by device-internal disturbance signals. This offers, especially, a clear advantage as regards meeting safety standards for the field device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a field device adapter for wireless data transfer, comprising: an adapter housing having a first and a second end, the first end such that the field device adapter can be mechanically connected to a field device and the second end such that a two-wire cable can be connected to the field device adapter. The adapter housing also having an adapter chamber; a supply electronics unit arranged in the adapter chamber and designed to provide a supply voltage via a voltage tap; an adapter electronics unit; and an adapter connection cable at the first end for connecting the adapter electronics to a field device electronics. The adapter electronics are designed to communicate the two-conductor signals between the field device electronics and the two-conducting-wire cable and also to convert the two-conductor signals into radio signals or vice versa.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a safety circuit for safe limiting of consumption of electrical power in an electrical component of a field device. The consumption of the electrical power is controlled by separating the input path from a superordinated unit by the safety circuit according to a predetermined clocking, wherein the clocking is controlled by a control signal. In the case of no control signal, the power limiting is assured by separating the input path from the superordinated unit. In the case of a defective control signal, the power is limited by the safety circuit to a maximum power. Due to this type of control, the operating temperature of the electrical component remains always below a critical temperature. The field device may thus be used in explosion-endangered regions.

Abstract: A field device of automation technology, including: an at least partially metal housing having at least one housing opening; a field device electronics arranged within the housing; a cable gland, which is located in the housing opening, wherein at least one cable extends through the cable gland into the housing and is connected with the field device electronics such that wired communication can occur via the cable with the field device electronics; and an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves having at least one determined wavelength, wherein the antenna is situated in the cable gland such that the antenna at least partially surrounds the cable, and wherein the antenna is connected with the field device electronics via a coaxial cable such that wireless communication can occur via the antenna with the field device electronics.

Abstract: A sensor adapter for a device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container with a measuring probe, comprising: at least one adapter measuring probe with at least one adapter electrode, an adapter housing with structure for detachably fastening the sensor adapter on the device, and a contacting unit for the electrical contact of at least one electrode of the device with at least one adapter electrode of the sensor adapter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring device for measuring a dielectric constant of fill substances in containers. The measuring device includes: a transmitting circuit for transmitting a first electromagnetic high-frequency signal and a second electromagnetic high-frequency signal; a receiving circuit for receiving the two high-frequency signals; and an evaluation circuit to ascertain a first phase shift between the transmitting and the receiving of the first high-frequency signal, to ascertain a second phase shift between the transmitting and the receiving of the second high-frequency signal, and to ascertain an amplitude of one of the received high-frequency signals. Based on these three values, the dielectric constant is determined. By determining phase shift at different frequencies, it is possible according to the present disclosure, especially in the case of solid-type fill substances, to determine their dielectric constant uncorrupted, thus without influence of air inclusions or moisture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a primary-clocked switching power supply for converting an input voltage into an output voltage, comprising: a primary side circuit branch, where the input voltage can be applied; isolated from the primary side circuit branch, a secondary side circuit branch, where the output voltage is tappable; between the primary side and the secondary side circuit branch, a galvanic isolation; a fuse or circuit breaker arranged in the primary side circuit branch; a first switchable switch element arranged in the primary side circuit branch such that switching trips the primary side fuse or circuit breaker; and a monitoring unit connected with the first switch element and arranged in the primary side circuit branch and adapted to monitor a characteristic electrical signal determined by the second primary winding and, when the characteristic electrical signal exceeds a threshold value, to switch the first switch element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a filling body for reducing a volume of a pressure measurement chamber, which is to be filled with a pressure transmitting fluid, surrounding a pressure sensor. The filling body includes a recess for receiving the pressure sensor and has a free-standing base projecting into the recess on which the pressure sensor can be mounted. A filling body base supporting the filling body is provided on a side of the filling body facing away from the recess. The filling body can be mounted in an application location in such a way that the filling body base supports the otherwise free-standing filling body. The filling body base has a base surface that is smaller than a base surface of a filling body region that is adjacent to the filling body base and surrounding the recess.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electronic device including a housing filled to a fill level with a first matrix produced from a first potting compound, and a circuit board having a component arranged thereon and having a passageway that connects a component side arranged within the housing interior filled with the first matrix and a front face of the component arranged outside the housing interior filled with the first matrix, the passageway acts as capillaries for media whose viscosity is less than a limit and as barriers for media whose viscosity is greater than the limit, the component is arranged in a spatially bounded region adjoining the component side, a second matrix produced from a second potting compound having a viscosity exceeding the limit, which second matrix effects a terminal sealing of the connection formed by the passageway against the first potting compound used for producing the first matrix.