Electronic component for a sensor apparatus, sensor apparatus and method of configuring a sensor apparatus

Sensor apparatus comprising an electric component, said component comprising:

• a first terminal device for connecting a sensitive device which is influenceable by a target;
• a second terminal device for the external communication;
• and
• at least one of a control device and an evaluation device which provides output signals;
• wherein the component is programmable via the second terminal device;
• wherein a first programming level is provided in which parameters for the setup of the sensor apparatus are adjustable and a second programming level is provided in which a characteristic curve of the sensor apparatus is adjustable;
• wherein the first programming level is hierarchically superordinate to the second programming level and at least one of adjustments and possibilities of adjustment in the second programming level are a function of adjustments in the first programming level;
• and
• a sensitive device which is connected to the component.

Method of configuring a sensor apparatus comprising an electric component, said component comprising:

• a first terminal device for connecting a sensitive device which is influenceable by a target;
• a second terminal device for the external communication;
• and
• at least one of a control device and an evaluation device which provides output signals;
• wherein the component is programmable via the second terminal device;
• wherein a first programming level is provided in which parameters for the setup of the sensor apparatus are adjustable and a second programming level is provided in which a characteristic curve of the sensor apparatus is adjustable;
• wherein the first programming level is hierarchically superordinate to the second programming level and at least one of adjustments and possibilities of adjustment in the second programming level are a function of adjustments in the first programming level;
• and
• a sensitive device which is connected to the component;
• said method comprising the steps:
• adjusting setup parameters of the sensor apparatus in the first programming level;
• and
• then adjusting a characteristic curve in the second programming level;
• wherein the first and the second programming levels are locked.