Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring a set fill level of a medium in a container using a fill level measuring probe that is designed to operate as a conductive fill level measuring probe in a conductive operating mode and as a capacitive fill level measuring probe in a capacitive operating mode, with a control/evaluation/output unit that is designed to alternately trigger conductive operating mode and capacitive operating mode, and with a control/evaluation/output unit that determines whether the set fill level of the medium in the container has been reached on the basis of the measured values from the two operating modes, and which generates a message when the set fill level is exceeded and/or undershot.

Abstract: Apparatus for capacitive determining and/or monitoring of at least one process variable of a medium in a container, comprising at least one sensor unit with at least one sensor electrode, a housing and an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit is embodied to supply the sensor unit with a high-frequency exciter signal, to receive a response signal from the sensor unit, and to provide at least from the response signal information concerning the fill level of medium in the container. The apparatus includes, furthermore, a coupling element, which is arranged and embodied in such a manner at least at times to establish a conductive connection between at least one portion of the housing and at least one component of the electronics unit and at least at times to effect a capacitive coupling between the two components.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing the clock frequency of a microcontroller associated with a field device of automation technology. The field device as a function of application is exposed to different process conditions, wherein the clock frequency of the microcontroller is ascertained at least two different temperature values, and/or at least two different voltage values. Based on the ascertained values, the dependence of the clock frequency of the microcontroller on temperature over a predetermined temperature- and/or frequency range and/or the dependence of the clock frequency of the microcontroller on voltage over a predetermined voltage- and/or frequency range is ascertained. The ascertained values are stored, and the influence of temperature and/or voltage on the clock frequency of the microcontroller is at least approximately compensated taking into considering the ascertained temperature dependence and/or the ascertained voltage dependence.

Abstract: A field device electronics for a conductive, limit-level switch, with a conductive probe and a measuring circuit including a control/evaluation circuit. The measuring circuit, a measuring bridge circuit is present, with at least one coupling capacitor (C2) being present for the DC voltage separation of the probe from the measuring circuit, and with the at least one coupling capacitor (C2) being integrated into the measuring bridge circuit.

Abstract: A signal generator for producing periodic signals for a measuring apparatus of automation technology. The signals have sequential, discrete signal frequencies, which lie within a predetermined frequency range. A control- and/or computing unit, a clock signal producer are provided, wherein the clock signal producer provides a constant sampling frequency, which is greater than the maximum discrete signal frequency in the predetermined frequency range. A memory unit is provided, in which for each of the discrete signal frequencies the amplitude values of the corresponding periodic signals are stored or storable as a function of the sampling frequency. The control- and/or computing unit reads out the stored or storable amplitude values of the discrete frequencies successively with the sampling frequency of the clock from the memory unit and produces the periodic signals, or forwards for producing.

Abstract: A system composed of a servicing device and a field device having at least one sensor unit for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable. At least one electronics unit, which has an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit receives measurement signals from the sensor unit and evaluates such with reference to the process variable, and at least one switch element actuatable contactlessly from outside of the field device. The servicing device is embodied to modulate the switch state of the switch element for transmission of field device specific data to the electronics unit. Furthermore, a field device, a servicing device and a method for communication between field device and servicing device are claimed.

Abstract: A probe unit having a coaxial structure and including a probe electrode, a guard electrode and a contacting module arranged on a section of the probe electrode, which contacting module including an insulating sleeve, a flexible circuit board with a first conduction path for the electrical contacting of the probe electrode and a second conduction path for the electrical contacting of the guard electrode, and a module housing, wherein a first contact plate is provided that electrically contacts the first conduction path, the module housing including a second contact plate that electrically contacts the second conduction path, wherein the module housing has a pot-shaped geometry with a cylindrical wall, which wall substantially surrounds, protects and/or electromagnetically shields at least the probe electrode in the region in which the contacting module is arranged, at least a part of the insulating sleeve, and at least sections of the circuit board.

Abstract: A field device electronics for a conductive, limit-level switch, with a conductive probe and a measuring circuit including a control/evaluation circuit. The measuring circuit, a measuring bridge circuit is present, with at least one coupling capacitor (C2) being present for the DC voltage separation of the probe from the measuring circuit, and with the at least one coupling capacitor (C2) being integrated into the measuring bridge circuit.

Abstract: Method for monitoring a predetermined fill level of a medium (3) in a container (2) with at least one measuring probe (1) and an electronics unit (7), wherein the measuring probe (1) is operated alternately in the conductive and in the capacitive operating modes, wherein the measuring probe (1) is supplied with an exciter signal, which is composed of two different, time alternatingly sequential, periodic signal components, wherein in a first time interval the first periodic signal component is generated for the conductive operating mode and in a second time interval the second periodic signal component is generated for the capacitive operating mode, wherein from the capacitive or conductive operating mode response signal obtained from the measuring probe (1) as a function of the current signal component, it is ascertained, whether the predetermined fill level has been reached, and wherein a report is generated upon the exceeding or subceeding of this fill level.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes at least one probe unit and at least one electronics unit, which supplies the probe unit with an electrical, exciter signal and which receives from the probe unit an electrical, measurement signal. The invention includes, that the probe unit has at least one inner electrode and at least one outer electrode surrounding the inner electrode.

Abstract: In a plug connector for connecting a field device of automation technology to an energy supply and/or to an evaluation unit, the plug connector includes a connection plug (M12) for the field device, wherein the connection plug (M12) is composed, at least partially, of a transparent material, wherein at least four display elements (gn ye, ye, rd) are arranged in the connection plug (M12). A first display element (gn) signals operational readiness of the field device; second and third display elements (ye, ye) signal two antivalent switch outputs (MIN, MAX) of the field device; and a fourth display element (rd) signals a disturbance or malfunction of field device. A circuit (NOR, XNOR) is provided to detect a disturbance or malfunction of field device based on the antivalent switch outputs (MIN, MAX) of the field device, and the to activate fourth display element (rd) upon detection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a signal generator for producing periodic signals for a measuring apparatus (1) of automation technology, wherein the signals have sequential, discrete signal frequencies, which lie within a predetermined frequency range, a control- and/or computing unit (4), a clock signal producer (6), wherein the clock signal producer (6) provides a constant sampling frequency, which is greater than the maximum discrete signal frequency in the predetermined frequency range, a memory unit (7), in which for each of the discrete signal frequencies the amplitude values of the corresponding periodic signals are stored or storable as a function of the sampling frequency, wherein the control- and/or computing unit (4) reads out the stored or storable amplitude values of the discrete frequencies successively with the sampling frequency of the clock (6) from the memory unit (7) and produces the periodic signals or forwards for producing, and a static filter unit (12) with a limit frequency, which lies above

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring at least one media-specific property of a medium in automation technology with a measuring probe, wherein the at least one media-specific property is ascertained in a conductive operating mode and in a capacitive operating mode of the measuring probe. The conductive operating mode and the capacitive operating mode are operated alternately, wherein based on the measured values, which are ascertained in at least one of the two operating modes, it is checked, whether the at least one media-specific property to be monitored lies within a predetermined tolerance band, and wherein a report and/or a switching signal is generated, when the at least one media-specific property to be monitored lies outside of the predetermined tolerance band.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring a set fill level of a medium in a container using a fill level measuring probe that is designed to operate as a conductive fill level measuring probe in a conductive operating mode and as a capacitive fill level measuring probe in a capacitive operating mode, with a control/evaluation/output unit that is designed to alternately trigger conductive operating mode and capacitive operating mode, and with a control/evaluation/output unit that determines whether the set fill level of the medium in the container has been reached on the basis of the measured values from the two operating modes, and which generates a message when the set fill level is exceeded and/or undershot.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing the clock frequency of a microcontroller associated with a field device of automation technology. The field device as a function of application is exposed to different process conditions, wherein the clock frequency of the microcontroller is ascertained at at least two different temperature values, and/or at at least two different voltage values. Based on the ascertained values, the dependence of the clock frequency of the microcontroller on temperature over a predetermined temperature- and/or frequency range and/or the dependence of the clock frequency of the microcontroller on voltage over a predetermined voltage- and/or frequency range is ascertained. The ascertained values are stored, and the influence of temperature and/or voltage on the clock frequency of the microcontroller is at least approximately compensated taking into considerating the ascertained temperature dependence and/or the ascertained voltage dependence.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing the clock frequencies of a first electronics unit arranged on the primary side, and a second electronics unit arranged on the secondary side. Associated with the first electronics unit is a clock signal producer, which produces a clock signal having a reference clock frequency, wherein a transmission unit is provided between the first electronics unit and the second electronics unit. A first control unit is provided, which operates the transmission unit with a clock frequency, which amounts to a fraction of the reference clock frequency of the first electronics unit, wherein a second control unit is provided, which couples the clock frequency out to the secondary side and, based on the out-coupled clock frequency, produces for the second electronics unit a clock frequency, which is synchronous with the reference clock frequency of the first electronics unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium in a container. including: a probe unit, which has a sensor electrode and a guard electrode; and an electronics unit, which supplies the sensor electrode with an activating signal and which supplies the guard electrode with a guard signal; An amplifying unit; and a limiting element arranged in series between the guard electrode and the output of the amplifying unit. The amplifying unit supplies via the limiting element the guard electrode with the guard signal; and the amplifying unit supplies via the limiting element the sensor electrode with the activating signal. The evaluating unit is provided, which determines and/or monitors the process variable based on an electrical current signal measurable at the sensor electrode, and the activating signal and/or the guard signal.

Abstract: A system composed of a servicing device and a field device having at least one sensor unit for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable. At least one electronics unit, which has an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit receives measurement signals from the sensor unit and evaluates such with reference to the process variable, and at least one switch element actuatable contactlessly from outside of the field device. The servicing device is embodied to modulate the switch state of the switch element for transmission of field device specific data to the electronics unit. Furthermore, a field device, a servicing device and a method for communication between field device and servicing device are claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: at least one probe unit; and at least one electronics unit, which supplies the probe unit with an operating signal and which receives from the probe unit a received signal. The probe unit includes at least one probe electrode and at least one guard electrode; and the probe electrode and the guard electrode are surrounded, at least partially, by at least one insulating unit. The the insulating unit has, in the region of the guard electrode, a smaller thickness than in the region of the probe electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for capacitive determining and/or monitoring at least of fill level of a medium in a container, comprising a probe unit having at least one probe electrode, and an electronics unit, which supplies at least the probe electrode with an electrical, transmitted signal, and receives and evaluates an electrical, response signal from the probe unit. Besides relating to an apparatus, the invention also relates to a corresponding method. The invention is distinguished by features including that an electronics unit supplies the probe electrode at least at times by means of a frequency sweep with a transmitted signal, which has a plurality of discrete frequencies following one another within a predeterminable frequency band, that the electronics unit, based on the frequency sweep, ascertains a measuring frequency optimal for present application parameters, and that the electronics unit determines fill level from the response signal belonging to the optimal measuring frequency.