Abstract: An offset determination apparatus and a method are for correcting an offset by supplying a switch-off signal outside a predefinable measuring range of time-expanded sampling values of a reflection signal, which switch-off signal can deactivate a transmitter device at least intermittently in order to generate a predefinable quiescent range within the time-expanded sampling values of the reflection signal and in that, by evaluating at least one sampling value of the time-expanded sampling values which is determined within the quiescent range, a value of an amplitude offset of the time-expanded sampling values of the reflection signal from a normal value is determined and is supplied at an output of the offset provision device.

Abstract: A system, a device and a method are for retrieval of measured values, items of diagnostic information or device parameters in level measurement, pressure measurement, flow measurement or limit detection. Provided in the measuring device is a flag which is raised when the measuring device changes a measuring device parameter, for example. An external control device receives this flag and, using said flag, can determine whether a device parameter has been changed in the measuring device. If this is the case, it requests the group of device parameters, associated with this device parameter, from the measuring device. In this manner, the transfer of data can be reduced.

Abstract: For operating a field device in process automation, automatic cyclic monitoring of a communication interface of an arithmetic unit takes place. If a field device is connected to this communication interface, this is automatically detected. Thereafter, field device operating software is automatically started when the field device can be allocated to the field device operating software. After startup of the operating software, automatic determination of the suitable device driver takes place, which device driver is then uploaded. In this manner, operation of field devices, in particular in complex field device networks, may be greatly facilitated.

Abstract: During starting of a field device for pressure measurement, flow measurement and/or fill level measurement, which field device including a memory that includes a boot memory region in which a boot function is stored, and an operating memory region in which an operating function is stored, the following steps are carried out: carrying out the boot function; determining whether a memory check of the operating memory region is to be carried out; carrying out a memory check of the operating memory region when it has been determined that a memory check is to be carried out; and carrying out the operating function.

Abstract: The parameters are calculated of a target function which describes the relationship of the positions of two different tracks. Using this target function, the position of another track can then be derived from the position of one track.

Abstract: Described is monitoring of an analog-digital conversion of a measured value of at least one of a pressure gauge, a level gauge and a flowmeter. Different measured values can be provided for the analog-digital converter by means of a first microcontroller, wherein these measured values are subsequently transmitted from this first area into a second area by means of a unidirectional coupler. These values are acquired by a second microcontroller in the second area and compared with reference values that are stored in the second area or at another location. This diagnostic circuit may make it possible to detect drifts of resistances and of reference voltages, as well as a faulty analog-digital converter or a program execution error of the first microcontroller.