Abstract: A frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar system for level or distance measurement in which a frequency modulated signal to be transmitted to a target is mixed with an echo signal from the target to produce a beat signal that passes through an analog filter before being digitized and processed in a digital processor to determine the level or distance to be measured, where a test signal is generated by a signal generator, and a switch is controlled to connect the beat signal or the test signal to the analog filter, the signal generator generates the test signal as a broadband signal having a periodic waveform, e.g., a square wave, and the digital processor calculates a spectrum of the digitized filtered test signal by Fast Fourier Transform and generates a fault signal if the spectrum differs from a reference spectrum by a predetermined amount to allow for failure detection.

Abstract: Suspending and resuming a card runtime environment for a card computing device are disclosed. A card computing device obtains a suspension request. The suspension request includes a proposed value for a minimum suspension interval and/or a proposed value for a maximum suspension interval. The suspension request is accepted or rejected, by the card computing device, based on the proposed value for the minimum suspension interval and/or the proposed value for the maximum suspension interval. The card computing device may negotiate a different value for the maximum suspension interval. Additionally, a card computing device obtains a resumption request. The resumption request includes a resume token. The card computing device determines whether the resume token in the resumption request is valid. The card computing device determines whether the suspension interval is valid. The card computing device resumes the state that was associated with the card computing device at the time of suspension.

Abstract: Suspending and resuming a card runtime environment for a card computing device are disclosed. A card computing device obtains a suspension request. The suspension request includes a proposed value for a minimum suspension interval and/or a proposed value for a maximum suspension interval. The suspension request is accepted or rejected, by the card computing device, based on the proposed value for the minimum suspension interval and/or the proposed value for the maximum suspension interval. The card computing device may negotiate a different value for the maximum suspension interval. Additionally, a card computing device obtains a resumption request. The resumption request includes a resume token. The card computing device determines whether the resume token in the resumption request is valid. The card computing device determines whether the suspension interval is valid. The card computing device resumes the state that was associated with the card computing device at the time of suspension.

Abstract: A frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar system for level or distance measurement in which a frequency modulated signal to be transmitted to a target is mixed with an echo signal from the target to produce a beat signal that passes through an analog filter before being digitized and processed in a digital processor to determine the level or distance to be measured, where a test signal is generated by a signal generator, and a switch is controlled to connect the beat signal or the test signal to the analog filter, the signal generator generates the test signal as a broadband signal having a periodic waveform, e.g., a square wave, and the digital processor calculates a spectrum of the digitized filtered test signal by Fast Fourier Transform and generates a fault signal if the spectrum differs from a reference spectrum by a predetermined amount to allow for failure detection.

Abstract: A horn antenna for a radar device including a dielectric filling body arranged in a hollow horn section of a metal body and a dielectric cover attached to the filling body and sealingly closing the open end of the metal body. The filling body includes a first conical portion that is fittingly received in the hollow horn section, and a second conical portion that is situated away from the open end and dimensioned to leave a gap between itself and the wall of the hollow horn section. The dielectric filling body has a third portion between the first and second portions, where the third portion and the opposite portion of the wall of the hollow horn section are provided with circumferential grooves arranged in pairs opposite each other to provide a wear and maintenance-free attachment of the dielectric filling body in the horn antenna.

Abstract: A horn antenna for a radar device comprising a metal body having a tubular hollow waveguide section opening into a hollow horn section, a dielectric filling body filling up the inner space of the horn section, and a dielectric cover, wherein the horn antenna is configured to protrude in a measurement environment, protected from highly aggressive process environments and is usable over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A horn antenna for a radar device comprising a metal body having a tubular hollow waveguide section opening into a hollow horn section, a dielectric filling body filling up the inner space of the horn section, and a dielectric cover, wherein the horn antenna is configured to protrude in a measurement environment, protected from highly aggressive process environments and is usable over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A pulse radar ranging system having a measurement channel and a reference channel is described. In the measurement channel containing an antenna and a measurement target, the normal measurement is performed by processing an echo from the target. In the reference channel containing signal delay means, a reference echo is processed to obtain temperature compensation information.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for coupling a coaxial cable to a planar circuit to provide galvanic isolation between the coaxial cable and the planar circuit while providing low transmission loss and reflections between the coaxial cable and the circuit. The mechanism comprises a co-planar waveguide coupled to the coaxial cable, a microstrip line connected to the circuit, a galvanic isolation component and a ground plane. The co-planar waveguide, the microstrip line and the galvanic isolation component are formed on one side of a two-sided substrate. The ground plane is formed on the other side of the substrate and underlies at least a portion of the co-planar waveguide to form a grounded co-planar waveguide. The ground plane includes a notch underlying a portion of the co-planar waveguide to provide a transition region from the co-planar waveguide to the grounded co-planar waveguide.

Abstract: In a pulse radar system where received echo pulses are expanded in time by multiplication with sampling pulses and subsequent integration, the effect of disturbances on the integration is reduced by using a sample and hold circuit having a switch and a hold capacitor and wherein the switch is closed only when a sampling pulse is applied for the multiplication.

Abstract: A horn antenna suitable for use with a level measurement device and having a composite emitter structure. The emitter structure or assembly comprises an emitter and a plug. The emitter provides the process interface and is formed from a material having properties which include microwave transparency, chemical resistance and/or mechanical strength. The plug is isolated or partitioned from the process interface. The plug is formed from a material different from the emitter and exhibits the properties of microwave transparency and/or mechanical strength. According to another aspect, the level measurement device includes a coupling mechanism which allows the removal of the horn antenna independently of the emitter.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for coupling a coaxial cable to a planar circuit to provide galvanic isolation between the coaxial cable and the planar circuit while providing low transmission loss and reflections between the coaxial cable and the circuit. The mechanism comprises a co-planar waveguide coupled to the coaxial cable, a microstrip line connected to the circuit, a galvanic isolation component and a ground plane. The co-planar waveguide, the microstrip line and the galvanic isolation component are formed on one side of a two-sided substrate. The ground plane is formed on the other side of the substrate and underlies at least a portion of the co-planar waveguide to form a grounded co-planar waveguide. The ground plane includes a notch underlying a portion of the co-planar waveguide to provide a transition region from the co-planar waveguide to the grounded co-planar waveguide.

Abstract: A pulse radar ranging system having a measurement channel and a reference channel is described. In the measurement channel containing an antenna and a measurement target, the normal measurement is performed by processing an echo from the target. In the reference channel containing signal delay means, a reference echo is processed to obtain temperature compensation information.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling a coaxial cable (108) to a planar circuit to provide galvanic isolation between the coaxial cable and the planar circuit while providing low transmission loss and reflections between the coaxial cable (108) and the circuit. The mechanism comprises a co-planar waveguide (211) coupled to the coaxial cable (108), a microstrip line (240) connected to the circuit, a galvanic isolation component (234) and a ground plane (222). The co-planar waveguide (211), the microstrip line (240) and the galvanic isolation component (234) are formed on one side (203) of a two-sided substrate (202). The ground plane (222) is formed on the other side (205) of the substrate (202) and underlies at least a portion of the co-planar waveguide (211) to form a grounded co-planar waveguide (221). The ground plane (222) includes a notch (224) underlying a portion of the co-planar waveguide (211) to provide a transition region (225) from the co-planar waveguide (211) to the grounded co-planar waveguide (221).

Abstract: In a pulse radar system where received echo pulses are expanded in time by multiplication with sampling pulses and subsequent integration, the effect of disturbances on the integration is reduced by using a sample and hold circuit having a switch and a hold capacitor and wherein the switch is closed only when a sampling pulse is applied for the multiplication.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling a coaxial cable (108) to a planar circuit to provide galvanic isolation between the coaxial cable and the planar circuit while providing low transmission loss and reflections between the coaxial cable (108) and the circuit. The mechanism comprises a co-planar waveguide (211) coupled to the coaxial cable (108), a microstrip line (240) connected to the circuit, a galvanic isolation component (234) and a ground plane (222). The co-planar waveguide (211), the microstrip line (240) and the galvanic isolation component (234) are formed on one side (203) of a two-sided substrate (202). The ground plane (222) is formed on the other side (205) of the substrate (202) and underlies at least a portion of the co-planar waveguide (211) to form a grounded co-planar waveguide (221). The ground plane (222) includes a notch (224) underlying a portion of the co-planar waveguide (211) to provide a transition region (225) from the co-planar waveguide (211) to the grounded co-planar waveguide (221).

Abstract: A horn antenna suitable for use with a level measurement device and having a composite emitter structure. The emitter structure or assembly comprises an emitter and a plug. The emitter provides the process interface and is formed from a material having properties which include microwave transparency, chemical resistance and/or mechanical strength. The plug is isolated or partitioned from the process interface. The plug is formed from a material different from the emitter and exhibits the properties of microwave transparency and/or mechanical strength. According to another aspect, the level measurement device includes a coupling mechanism which allows the removal of the horn antenna independently of the emitter.