Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a corresponding distance-measuring device for measuring a distance to an object using FMCW radar. The method includes the frequency-dependent determination of the amplitude of the radar signal, i.e. the frequency response in the output path and in the input path of the distance-measuring device. The standard windowing of the evaluation signal can be corrected using a correction factor dependent on the frequency responses. Thus the frequency dependence of the radar signal is compensated independently of device-internal or external interferences by adapting the window function. The result is more accurate and reliable distance measurement using FMCW radar. Because the distance can be determined by the disclosed method very accurately and without distortion, it is advantageous to use the distance-measuring device as a fill-level measuring device to measure the fill level of a filling material in a container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high frequency module for producing or processing radar signals for use in radar-based fill-level measuring devices. The high frequency module includes: a semiconductor component to produce or to process electrical, high frequency signals; a dielectric coupling element contacted with the semiconductor component to couple the high frequency signals as radar signals into a dielectric waveguide or in order to couple radar signals from the waveguide as electrical, high frequency signals into the semiconductor component. The coupling element and the waveguide form a plug contact. In the case of appropriate design of the plug contact there results upon plug-in a self-centering, so that need for a complex adjustment during manufacturing is absent. Since radar frequencies of above 100 GHz can be produced by the semiconductor component, corresponding fill level measuring devices are characterized by a high measuring resolution and compact structures.

Abstract: A measuring system for determining a filling volume of a filling material in a container comprises a 3D camera and a radar-based fill-level measurement device. The 3D camera is used to initially record at least one 3D image of at least one partial region of the empty container interior. Based on the 3D images, a data set or a digital spatial model is created by which at least such partial region the geometry of the empty container interior is represented. To create the required, three-dimensional surface or level profile, the fill-level measurement device is based on a principle of digital beam shaping, such as the MIMO principle. Thus, based on the data set reflecting the geometry in the container interior and based on the fill-level profile, the filling volume in the container can be determined.

Abstract: A radar-based fill-level measuring device for determining a three-dimensional fill-level profile by the MIMO principle comprises an antenna assembly which comprises a sub-antenna array in addition to a main antenna array. Angle-separating solid-angle spectra can be created by means of the main antenna array, and these solid-angle spectra are combined with those of the sub-antenna array. Accordingly, the sub-antenna array is designed such that its solid-angle spectra permit a unique assignment of each solid angle in the entire solid-angle range. For this purpose, the corresponding antennas are arranged on an intermediate grid. The advantage of this is that with a total of very few antennas or a fast evaluation associated therewith over a wide solid-angle range a highly angle-separating fill-level profile can be captured.

Abstract: A high-frequency component for radar-based distance measurement comprises: a semiconductor component configured to generate electrical high-frequency signals; and coupling element configured as a substrate-integrated waveguide and electrically contacted by the semiconductor component as to couple the high-frequency signals as radar signals into a hollow waveguide of the high-frequency component, the hollow waveguide being in galvanic contact with the coupling element such that no defined distance between the hollow waveguide and the coupling element must be set to achieve an efficient coupling out of the high-frequency signal into the hollow waveguide. The galvanic contact thereby enables a simple manufacture of the high-frequency component and a compact and accurate distance measuring device using the high-frequency component.

Abstract: The relates to a measuring device neck of a radar based, fill level measuring device for determining a fill level profile (L(?,?)) of a fill substance. In the measuring device neck, the waveguides for contacting the antenna arrangement are aligned along a contour (k1, k2), which surrounds the device neck axis radially symmetrically and adjoins the measuring device neck. Such is advantageous, since the waveguides can be made together as a monolithic, basic body, which can be inserted easily into the measuring device neck. Furthermore, the arrangement of the waveguides in the measuring device neck favors the thermal management in the transmitting/receiving electronics of the fill level measuring device, since its thermally critical radar chips can be spaced maximally from one another.

Abstract: A compact and efficient antenna for radiofrequency radar-based fill level measuring devices includes a mount with a media-tight cavity; an input coupling structure by means of which the radar signal is able to be coupled into the cavity along a main beam axis; and a lens that refracts the radar signal. The lens seals the cavity of the mount in such that the input coupling structure is located in the focus of the lens and the lens is aligned in the main beam axis of the input coupling structure. The mount or the lens and the input coupling structure may be constructed from two separate sub-components assembled along a defined joining seam such that the cavity is sealed in media-tight fashion and the mount or the antenna is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a faulty state of an FMCW-based fill level measuring device. For this, a correlation coefficient is ascertained by correlation, especially cross correlation, of the measurement signal with a reference signal. The faulty state is accordingly detected when the correlation coefficient subceeds a predefined minimum value. In this way, the functioning of the fill level measuring device can be monitored with a degree of safety allowing the fill level measuring device to be applied also in process plants and measuring environments, which require extremely reliable measuring apparatuses, and measurement data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring fill level of a liquid comprising: a measuring tube having a tube wall extending between first and second terminal openings and which surrounds a volume for guiding the liquid, wherein a tube axis extends between the two tube openings; a first conductor extending at least sectionally around the volume and is electrically insulated from the volume; a second conductor extending at least sectionally around the volume and is electrically insulated from the first conductor and from the volume, wherein the two conductors extend essentially in parallel with one another and form a waveguide for microwaves; an HF circuit for in-coupling a microwave signal into the waveguide and for receiving reflected microwave signals out-coupled from the waveguide; an operating and evaluating circuit for determining fill level of the liquid in the measuring tube based on received microwave signals.

Abstract: A radar based, fill-level sensor comprising at least one semiconductor element, including at least a semiconductor chip and a chip package, in which the at least one semiconductor chip is arranged, wherein the at least one semiconductor chip has at least one coupling element, which serves as a signal gate for electromagnetic waves, preferably in the millimeter wave region, characterized in that at least one first resonator structure is arranged on a surface portion of the chip package.

Abstract: A radar-based fill-level measuring device that operates, for example, according to the FMCW principle or the pulse time-of-flight principle comprises a temperature sensor. Thus, the measurement rate at which the fill level is determined can be controlled according to the measured temperature in such a way that, at least above a defined limit temperature, the measurement rate is reduced as the temperature increases further. Furthermore, the measurement can be completely stopped if the measured temperature exceeds a predefined maximum temperature, in particular 150° C. The development of heat in the fill-level measuring device is counteracted by the reduction of the measurement rate. The measurement rate is thereby adaptively adjusted with respect to the ambient temperature such that, even at elevated ambient temperatures, which can occur in the case of cleaning processes, the fill-level measuring device remains at least conditionally fit for use.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic component for the bunched emitting and/or receiving of radar signals. For this, the electronic component comprises: a semiconductor chip, which is embodied to emit and/or to receive the radar signal by means of a primary radiator, and a support, on whose surface the semiconductor chip is arranged for electrical contacting. According to the present disclosure, the surface of the support has at least a first step embodied in such a manner that the radar signal in the case of the emitting and/or receiving is bunched approximately perpendicularly to the surface of the support. In this way, the electronic component-of the present disclosure is suited especially for those applications of radar based distance measurement, which benefit from bunched emitted and received radar signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a fault state at an FMCW-based fill level measuring device, including performing two reference measurements successively in time, a first reference measurement signal and a second reference measurement signal, using the filling level measuring device under a predefined reference measurement condition. In each of the two reference measurement signals a characteristic parameter is determined, wherein a change in the characteristic parameter over time is determined by comparing the two reference measurement signals. A fault state is detected when the change in the characteristic parameter exceeds a predefined maximum characteristic parameter change.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a corresponding distance-measuring device for measuring a distance to an object using FMCW radar. The method includes the frequency-dependent determination of the amplitude of the radar signal, i.e. the frequency response in the output path and in the input path of the distance-measuring device. The standard windowing of the evaluation signal can be corrected using a correction factor dependent on the frequency responses. Thus the frequency dependence of the radar signal is compensated independently of device-internal or external interferences by adapting the window function. The result is more accurate and reliable distance measurement using FMCW radar. Because the distance can be determined by the disclosed method very accurately and without distortion, it is advantageous to use the distance-measuring device as a fill-level measuring device to measure the fill level of a filling material in a container.

Abstract: A method for radar-based measurement of a filling level of a filling material in a container includes, in successive measurement cycles, generating an evaluation curve, and the relevant current evaluation curve is stored; a first difference curve is formed based on the evaluation curve of the current measurement cycle and a stored evaluation curve of a preceding measurement cycle; and the filling level is determined based on a maximum in the current first difference curve. The filling level is thus established from the difference curve rather than from the evaluation curve, and the filling level can be determined with greater certainty—in particular in the case of filling material having rippled surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high frequency module for producing or processing radar signals for use in radar-based fill-level measuring devices. The high frequency module includes: a semiconductor component to produce or to process electrical, high frequency signals; a dielectric coupling element contacted with the semiconductor component to couple the high frequency signals as radar signals into a dielectric waveguide or in order to couple radar signals from the waveguide as electrical, high frequency signals into the semiconductor component. The coupling element and the waveguide form a plug contact. In the case of appropriate design of the plug contact there results upon plug-in a self-centering, so that need for a complex adjustment during manufacturing is absent. Since radar frequencies of above 100 GHz can be produced by the semiconductor component, corresponding fill level measuring devices are characterized by a high measuring resolution and compact structures.

Abstract: A high-frequency component for radar-based distance measurement comprises: a semiconductor component configured to generate electrical high-frequency signals; and coupling element configured as a substrate-integrated waveguide and electrically contacted by the semiconductor component as to couple the high-frequency signals as radar signals into a hollow waveguide of the high-frequency component, the hollow waveguide being in galvanic contact with the coupling element such that no defined distance between the hollow waveguide and the coupling element must be set to achieve an efficient coupling out of the high-frequency signal into the hollow waveguide. The galvanic contact thereby enables a simple manufacture of the high-frequency component and a compact and accurate distance measuring device using the high-frequency component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring fill level of a liquid comprising: a measuring tube having a tube wall extending between first and second terminal openings and which surrounds a volume for guiding the liquid, wherein a tube axis extends between the two tube openings; a first conductor extending at least sectionally around the volume and is electrically insulated from the volume; a second conductor extending at least sectionally around the volume and is electrically insulated from the first conductor and from the volume, wherein the two conductors extend essentially in parallel with one another and form a waveguide for microwaves; an HF circuit for in-coupling a microwave signal into the waveguide and for receiving reflected microwave signals out-coupled from the waveguide; an operating and evaluating circuit for determining fill level of the liquid in the measuring tube based on received microwave signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a faulty state of an FMCW-based fill level measuring device. For this, a correlation coefficient is ascertained by correlation, especially cross correlation, of the measurement signal with a reference signal. The faulty state is accordingly detected when the correlation coefficient subceeds a predefined minimum value. In this way, the functioning of the fill level measuring device can be monitored with a degree of safety allowing the fill level measuring device to be applied also in process plants and measuring environments, which require extremely reliable measuring apparatuses, and measurement data.

Abstract: A radar based, fill-level sensor comprising at least one semiconductor element, including at least a semiconductor chip and a chip package, in which the at least one semiconductor chip is arranged, wherein the at least one semiconductor chip has at least one coupling element, which serves as a signal gate for electromagnetic waves, preferably in the millimeter wave region, characterized in that at least one first resonator structure is arranged on a surface portion of the chip package.