Electronic unit having a diagnostic function

US10847331B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Michael Dötsch · Lindenberg im Allgäu, DE
• Franco Ferraro · Bad Kötzting, DE
• Ralf Leisinger · Wieslet, DE
• Benjamin Monse · Endingen am Kaiserstuhl, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 1, 2016
• Grant date: Nov 24, 2020
• Expiry date: Aug 1, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01F23/261
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The application discloses an apparatus and a method for determining and/or monitoring at least one predefined filling level of a medium in a container at least with a sensor unit and an electronic unit, wherein the electronic unit is configured to apply an excitation signal to the sensor unit and to receive a reception signal from the sensor unit, and wherein the electronic unit comprises at least one first computing unit which is configured to determine at least the predefined filling level from the reception signal in a normal operating mode, a second computing unit which is configured to make a statement relating to the state of the sensor unit in a diagnostic operating mode, at least one buffer which is configured to store the at least one statement relating to the state of the sensor unit and is electrically connected to the first computing unit and to the second computing unit, and at least one switching element which can be used to switch back and forth between the normal operating mode and the diagnostic operating mode.