Patent ID: 9128181
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: G01F,G01S

Abstract:
1. Method for monitoring the operability of a fill level sensor acting as a FMCW radar device using an electronic unit having radar transmitting, receiving and evaluation circuitry/processors for analyzing and evaluating measured data to assess the integrity/reliability of the fill level sensor, comprising the steps of: modulating frequency of a radar signal to be sent from the fill sensor during measurement of a fill level of a medium with a set of pre-settable measuring parameters, and determining a measured value of the fill level from at least one received signal received during measurement of the fill level, wherein, during a test phase, the frequency of the radar signal to be sent is modulated with at least one set of pre-settable test parameters, wherein at least one test measured value is determined from at least one test received signal received during the test phase and wherein the at least one test measured value is evaluated to determine the operability of the fill level sensor wherein, during the test phase, the frequency of the radar signal to be sent is modulated with different sets of pre-settable test parameters, wherein at least one set of test parameters differs from the set of measuring parameters, wherein at least one associated test received signal is received for each of at least two sets of test parameters, wherein an associated test measured value is determined from each of at least two test received signals, and wherein at least the at least two test measured values are evaluated for determining whether or not the fill level sensor is working correctly.