Abstract: A measuring system for detecting a boundary layer on a product in a container includes a radar-based measuring device with an antenna or a measuring sensor for transmitting high-frequency signals toward the product and, after reflection at the product surface, for receiving as received signals; a signal generation unit that generates the high-frequency signal; and a receiving unit that to record the received signal. The measuring system further includes an evaluation unit in which a machine learning algorithm is formed to detect the boundary layer on the basis of the received signal. The implementation of a machine learning algorithm according to the invention avoids the problem that the boundary layer or the additive product layer in the received signal often does not generate a clearly assignable signal maximum, which known distance measurement methods according to the prior art require for its detection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting an event-based state, such as foam formation or a working stirring mechanism in a container during a radar-based measurement of a fill level of a filler located in a container. The method includes: generating an analysis curve and detecting a specified characteristic value of the analysis curve within at least one specified sub-region of the measurement region. The characteristic value can be the amplitude of a local maximum or the area under the analysis curve for example. A change or a dispersion of the characteristic value is ascertained over proceeding measurement cycles. The fill level measuring device detects the event-based state if the change or the dispersion exceeds a corresponding threshold. Thus, the occurrence of different events in the container can be imparted to a system controller automatically and without additional measurement instruments.

Abstract: A measuring system and a corresponding measuring method for reliably determining a fill level of a filling material in a container comprises a radar-based measuring device having a transmission unit via which high-frequency signals can be transmitted towards the filling material and received as received signals after reflection on the filling material surface; furthermore having a signal generation unit which generates the high-frequency signal to be transmitted; and having a receiving unit which records the received signal. In an evaluation unit of the measuring system, a machine learning algorithm is designed such that the fill level can be detected on the basis of the received signal. By the machine learning algorithm, received signals which are recorded under complex measuring conditions such as interference and multiple reflections can be interpreted much more reliably.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for safe and exact ascertaining of fill level of a fill substance located in a container by means of an ultrasonic, or radar-based, fill level measuring device. In such case, the method is distinguished by the feature that the evaluation curve created based on the reflected received signal is differently greatly smoothed as a function of measured distance. To achieve this, the evaluation curve can be specially filtered, depending on the application. In this way, noise fractions and disturbance echoes can be efficiently suppressed, without unnecessarily limiting the accuracy of the fill level measurement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for a radar-based fill level measurement according to the pulse transit time method. Also disclosed a fill level measuring device for carrying out said method. On the basis of an evaluation signal, the relation between the clock rate and the sampling rate, and a predefined target relation, an evaluation curve is generated. The fill level is thereby determined on the basis of said evaluation curve. The evaluation curve is generated by means of temporal expansion or compression of the evaluation signal, wherein the compression or the expansion is carried out as a function of a ratio between the measured relation and the target relation. Any deviation of the sampling rate from the setpoint value of the sampling rate, for example due to faulty control, is compensated. Thus, the potentially attainable accuracy of the fill level measurement is increased due to the invention.

Abstract: A monitoring method includes monitoring variables that change over time and are continuously measured during repeated executions of a dynamic process. The measurement data include training data in a training period and monitoring data measured subsequently to the training period. Vectors are continuously determined based on the measurement data, the vector components of which comprise respective rates of change of the measured values of the individual measured variables determined for a series of successive points in time on the basis of the measurement data, wherein the points in time of each series cover a time window of a duration and the time windows of successive vectors are shifted. The vectors are stored as a reference cluster. The vectors are compared with the reference cluster. An anomaly is determined when a vector is outside the reference cluster.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving the measuring performance of automation field devices, wherein each of the field devices determines a process variable using a measuring algorithm and is exposed to measurable environmental influences. The method includes capturing the calibration data of the field devices and capturing an item of environmental information of the field devices at defined time intervals; storing the environmental information, the calibration data, and a time stamp in a database; selecting a group of field devices which determine a process variable using the same measuring algorithm and which are exposed to the same environmental influences; correlating the environmental information and calibration data captured over time; creating a mathematical model relating the calibration data and the environmental information; adapting the measuring algorithm on the basis of the model; and transmitting the adapted measuring algorithm to all field devices in the group.

Abstract: An FMCW-radar based distance measuring device is characterized in that, in addition to analogue high-pass and low-pass filtering, the evaluation signal typical for FMCW additionally undergoes subsequent digital filtering. In this case, the analogue/digital conversion takes place by oversampling. As a result, according to the invention, all those frequencies in the evaluation signal that are above or below the frequency corresponding to the distance of the object are effectively suppressed. At the same time, the analogue filters can be constructed with a very low level of complexity. The space requirement and the costs of the analogue components is reduced thereby. In addition, the dependence on temperature of the distance measuring device is reduced thereby. The potentially high distance resolution is also maintained.

Abstract: A monitoring method includes monitoring variables that change over time and are continuously measured during repeated executions of a dynamic process. The measurement data include training data in a training period and monitoring data measured subsequently to the training period. Vectors are continuously determined based on the measurement data, the vector components of which comprise respective rates of change of the measured values of the individual measured variables determined for a series of successive points in time on the basis of the measurement data, wherein the points in time of each series cover a time window of a duration and the time windows of successive vectors are shifted. The vectors are stored as a reference cluster. The vectors are compared with the reference cluster. An anomaly is determined when a vector is outside the reference cluster.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for FMCW-based measurement of a distance of an object located in a waveguide, as well as a corresponding distance measurement device that, in particular, may be used for fill-level measurement in surge pipes or bypass pipes of containers. The method is based upon the fact that the transmission signal that is typical in FMCW is not ramp-like, and thus is emitted with constant frequency modulation. Rather, according to the present disclosure, a curvature of the frequency ramp is set to be at least approximately proportional to the frequency dependency of the propagation velocity of the transmission signal in the waveguide. The distortion effect is thus compensated for in that the propagation velocity of the transmission signal in waveguides is not constant, but, rather, decreases with falling transmission frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving the measuring performance of automation field devices, wherein each of the field devices determines a process variable using a measuring algorithm and is exposed to measurable environmental influences. The method includes capturing the calibration data of the field devices and capturing an item of environmental information of the field devices at defined time intervals; storing the environmental information, the calibration data, and a time stamp in a database; selecting a group of field devices which determine a process variable using the same measuring algorithm and which are exposed to the same environmental influences; correlating the environmental information and calibration data captured over time; creating a mathematical model relating the calibration data and the environmental information; adapting the measuring algorithm on the basis of the model; and transmitting the adapted measuring algorithm to all field devices in the group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for a radar-based fill level measurement according to the pulse transit time method. Also disclosed a fill level measuring device for carrying out said method. On the basis of an evaluation signal, the relation between the clock rate and the sampling rate, and a predefined target relation, an evaluation curve is generated. The fill level is thereby determined on the basis of said evaluation curve. The evaluation curve is generated by means of temporal expansion or compression of the evaluation signal, wherein the compression or the expansion is carried out as a function of a ratio between the measured relation and the target relation. Any deviation of the sampling rate from the setpoint value of the sampling rate, for example due to faulty control, is compensated. Thus, the potentially attainable accuracy of the fill level measurement is increased due to the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting an event-based state, such as foam formation or a working stirring mechanism in a container during a radar-based measurement of a fill level of a filler located in a container. The method includes: generating an analysis curve and detecting a specified characteristic value of the analysis curve within at least one specified sub-region of the measurement region. The characteristic value can be the amplitude of a local maximum or the area under the analysis curve for example. A change or a dispersion of the characteristic value is ascertained over proceeding measurement cycles. The fill level measuring device detects the event-based state if the change or the dispersion exceeds a corresponding threshold. Thus, the occurrence of different events in the container can be imparted to a system controller automatically and without additional measurement instruments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the radar-based measurement of a filling level, in which method a difference curve is adjusted iteratively in successive measurement cycles to suppress interfering echoes. The iterative adjustment is accomplished by: calculating a difference curve from the evaluation curve and a predefined reference curve; determining the filling level from the evaluation curve within a selection region; checking if the difference curve satisfies a predefined criterion at at least one location; redefining the selection region at said location in the subsequent measurement cycle when the difference curve satisfies the criterion; and set the evaluation curve as a new reference curve when the difference curve satisfies the criterion. The iterative adjustment provides the advantage that the search region of the filling level maximum in the evaluation curve is limited on one side, and slowly changing interfering echoes can also be detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for safe and exact ascertaining of fill level of a fill substance located in a container by means of an ultrasonic, or radar-based, fill level measuring device. In such case, the method is distinguished by the feature that the evaluation curve created based on the reflected received signal is differently greatly smoothed as a function of measured distance. To achieve this, the evaluation curve can be specially filtered, depending on the application. In this way, noise fractions and disturbance echoes can be efficiently suppressed, without unnecessarily limiting the accuracy of the fill level measurement.

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: A method for determining an inner diameter of a sounding tube, which, for measuring the fill level of a fill substance located in a process space of a container, extends in the process space, or is placed alongside the container and connected with the process space. The method can be implemented in the case of a fill-level measuring device working according to the FMCW-principle. Besides the intermediate frequency of the difference signal, also its phase shift is ascertained, wherein the exact tube inner diameter can be determined based on the phase shift. An advantage of the method is that the fill-level measuring device with the help of the then exactly known tube diameter can be recalibrated and accordingly the fill level determined more exactly. The exact tube inner diameter does not have to have been previously known.

Abstract: A method for processing a measurement signal that is captured by a measuring device, wherein, in order to capture the measurement signal, the measuring device emits a transmission signal and receives a component of the transmission signal that is reflected by an object as a reception signal, wherein a first phase difference between a first target phase position and a first actual phase position contained in the measurement signal is determined, and wherein a second phase difference between a second target phase position and a second actual phase position contained in the measurement signal is determined, and a phase difference progression in the form of an, in particular, linear, functional relationship is determined on the basis of the first and the second phase differences, and a measured value is determined by means of the functional relationship.

Abstract: A radar based fill level measurement device for measuring the fill level of a material in a container, comprising an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit serves to generate a transmission signal, and serves to process a received signal. The received signal containing a reflected portion of the transmission signal, and the reflected portion being reflected from a surface of the material whose distance is to be measured. The electronics unit comprises a signal generator to generate a frequency modulated transmission signal, wherein the electronics unit comprises a processor to process the received signal using phase information comprised in the received signal, and wherein the radar device comprises a coaxial waveguide probe arranged in the container, wherein said coaxial waveguide probe serves for guiding the transmission signal (TX) and the received signal (RX).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for FMCW-based measurement of a distance of an object located in a waveguide, as well as a corresponding distance measurement device that, in particular, may be used for fill-level measurement in surge pipes or bypass pipes of containers. The method is based upon the fact that the transmission signal that is typical in FMCW is not ramp-like, and thus is emitted with constant frequency modulation. Rather, according to the present disclosure, a curvature of the frequency ramp is set to be at least approximately proportional to the frequency dependency of the propagation velocity of the transmission signal in the waveguide. The distortion effect is thus compensated for in that the propagation velocity of the transmission signal in waveguides is not constant, but, rather, decreases with falling transmission frequency.