Radar fill level measurement device having a self-testing function

A radar module for a fill level measurement device, comprising:

• a receiving channel which is configured to receive a radar signal reflected by a filling medium, wherein a functionality of the receiving channel is tested by a test module,
• wherein the test module comprises a test input configured to feed in a test signal having a test frequency,
• wherein the test module comprises a feeding-in apparatus configured to feed at least one part of the test signal into the receiving channel,
• wherein the feeding-in apparatus is configured to at least one of superpose or combine the test signal with the radar signal reflected by the filling medium,
• wherein the receiving channel of the radar module comprises a mixing device having an intermediate frequency output, and
• wherein the mixing device is configured to output the test frequency of the test signal at the intermediate frequency output when the receiving channel is functioning correctly.

A method for testing a functionality of a receiving channel of a fill level measurement device, the method comprising:

• receiving a radar signal reflected by a filling medium using a receiving channel of a radar module of the fill level measurement device;
• applying a test signal having a test frequency to a test input of a test module of the radar module;
• combining at least one part of the test signal and at least one part of the radar signal to form a combined signal;
• feeding the combined signal into a mixing device that comprises an intermediate frequency output;
• and
• outputting the test frequency of the test signal at the intermediate frequency output so as to test the functionality of the receiving channel.

Computer-executable instructions stored on electronic storage medium, which when executed on a processor unit of a fill level measurement device, instruct the fill level measurement device to perform procedures comprising:

• receiving a radar signal reflected by a filling medium using a receiving channel of a radar module of the fill level measurement device;
• applying a test signal having a test frequency to a test input of a test module of the radar module;
• combining at least one part of the test signal and at least one part of the radar signal to form a combined signal;
• feeding the combined signal into a mixing device that comprises an intermediate frequency output;
• and
• outputting the test frequency of the test signal at the intermediate frequency output so as to test the functionality of the receiving channel.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed on a processor unit of a fill level measurement device, instruct the fill level measurement device to perform procedures comprising:

• receiving a radar signal reflected by a filling medium using a receiving channel of a radar module of the fill level measurement device;
• applying a test signal having a test frequency to a test input of a test module of the radar module;
• combining at least one part of the test signal and at least one part of the radar signal to form a combined signal;
• feeding the combined signal into a mixing device that comprises an intermediate frequency output;
• and
• outputting the test frequency of the test signal at the intermediate frequency output so as to test the functionality of the receiving channel.