Abstract: A method for ionizing, using pulses of ionization radiation, an analyte to be examined by way of ion mobility spectrometry using a pulse sequence is modulated with a known time-variable impression pattern is provided. An ionization device for carrying out the method and an ion mobility spectrometry method and an ion mobility spectrometry device that use the ionization method and/or the ionization device are also provided.

Abstract: A method for ionizing, using pulses of ionization radiation, an analyte to be examined by way of ion mobility spectrometry using a pulse sequence is modulated with a known time-variable impression pattern is provided. An ionization device for carrying out the method and an ion mobility spectrometry method and an ion mobility spectrometry device that use the ionization method and/or the ionization device are also provided.

Abstract: Method for determining a state variable x from at least one sensor value by a cost function prepared for a measured value y for implementation in an arithmetic unit of a sensor system having at least one sensor and wherein the cost function depends on the respective state x to be measured and gives a deviation of an actual measured value from the calibration as a function of state x in order to determine the sought state x from this minimum. For the cost function, at least one approximation function is set up on the basis of at least one approximation region within the state region x, by which an approximation of the cost function is carried out with approximation functions with negligible error, wherein the sums of the approximation regions cover the entire relevant state region, and at least all local minima are determined on the basis of the approximation, in a selection of approximation regions, wherein optionally a global minimum is determined from the comparison of local minima.

Abstract: A method for implementation in a measuring system containing a sensor system and an arithmetic unit for detection of a defect in the measuring system, wherein at least one state variable of the system is derived from at least one sensor value in the measuring system, wherein a cost function value based on deviation of the measured value y from the calibration as a function of a previously calculated state x is calculated for the respective measurement and the calculated squared deviation is then compared with a corresponding threshold value. An error is identified and if necessary appropriate action is taken if the threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: A method for implementation in a measuring system containing a sensor system and an arithmetic unit for detection of a defect in the measuring system, wherein at least one state variable of the system is derived from at least one sensor value in the measuring system, wherein a cost function value based on deviation of the measured value y from the calibration as a function of a previously calculated state x is calculated for the respective measurement and the calculated squared deviation is then compared with a corresponding threshold value. An error is identified and if necessary appropriate action is taken if the threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: Method for determining a state variable x from at least one sensor value by a cost function prepared for a measured value y for implementation in an arithmetic unit of a sensor system having at least one sensor and wherein the cost function depends on the respective state x to be measured and gives a deviation of an actual measured value from the calibration as a function of state x in order to determine the sought state x from this minimum. For the cost function, at least one approximation function is set up on the basis of at least one approximation region within the state region x, by which an approximation of the cost function is carried out with approximation functions with negligible error, wherein the sums of the approximation regions cover the entire relevant state region, and at least all local minima are determined on the basis of the approximation, in a selection of approximation regions, wherein optionally a global minimum is determined from the comparison of local minima.