Method and device for direct digitizing microwave signals

A method for directly digitizing microwave signals reflected on a filling product surface of a filling product in a receptacle, the method comprising:

• scanning the microwave signals reflected on the filling product surface at a first rate for generating individual analog values;
• storing the individual analog values in an analog value storage means;
• reading the stored individual analog values from the analog value storage means at a second rate, wherein the second rate is lower as compared to the first rate;
• converting the individual analog values into digital values by means of a plurality of A/D converters;
• and
• supplying the digital values to an evaluation means for determining a filling level height.

A device for directly digitizing microwave signals reflected on a filling product surface of a filling product present in a receptacle, the device comprising:

• a reception circuit for receiving the reflected microwave signals which has a high scanning rate for scanning the reflected microwave signal and for generating analog values;
• an analog value storage means connected to the reception circuit for storing the analog values at a high storing rate, wherein the high storing rate corresponds to the high scanning rate;
• at least one A/D converter connected to the analog value storage means for converting the stored analog values into digital values;
• and
• a control means for controlling the reception circuit and the at least one A/D converter in such a manner that the reflected microwave signals are scanned at the high scanning rate and are stored in the analog value storage means at the high storing rate corresponding to the high scanning rate, that the stored analog values are read out from the analog value storage means at a read-out rate, wherein the read-out rate is lower than the high scanning rate, and that the digital values are made available to an evaluation means for determining a filling level height.

A device for directly digitizing microwave signals reflected on a filling product surface of a filling product present in a receptacle, comprising:

• a reception circuit into which the reflected microwave signals can be fed, and which is realized having a predetermined scanning rate for scanning the reflected microwave signals, wherein the reception circuit generates analog values;
• an analog value storage means connected to the reception circuit for storing the analog values at a storing rate, wherein the storing rate corresponds to the scanning rate;
• at least one A/D converter connected with said analog value storage means for converting the stored analog values into digital values;
• a digital value storage means connected to said A/D converter for storing the digital values;
• and
• a control means for controlling the reception circuit and the at least one A/D converter and the digital value storage means in such a manner that the microwave signals are scanned at the predetermined scanning rate, and are stored in the analog value storage means at the storing rate corresponding to the scanning rate, that the stored analog values are read out from the analog value storage means at a read-out rate, wherein the read-out rate is lower than the scanning rate, and are converted into digital values in the at least one A/D converter, and that the digital values are made available to an evaluation means for determining a filling level height.

A filling level measuring device working on the transit time principle and emitting microwave signals, the filling level measuring device comprising:

• a reception circuit into which the reflected microwave signals can be fed, and which is realized having a predetermined scanning rate for scanning same, wherein the reception circuit generates analog values;
• an analog value storage means connected to the reception circuit for storing the analog values generated by the scanning in the reception circuit, wherein the storing is performed at a storing rate, the storing rate corresponding to the scanning rate;
• at least one A/D converter connected to the analog value storage means for converting the stored analog values into digital values;
• and
• a control means for controlling the reception circuit and the at least one A/D converter and the digital value storage means in such a manner that the microwave signals are scanned at the predetermined scanning rate, and are stored in the analog value storage means at the storing rate corresponding to the scanning rate, that the stored analog values are read out from the analog value storage means at a read-out rate, wherein the read-out rate is lower than the scanning rate, and are converted into digital values in the at least one A/D converter, and that the digital values are made available to an evaluation means for determining a filling level height.