Radar sensor and waveguide separation

Abstract

To design a radar sensor so as to allow waves to pass from a first section to a second section of a waveguide with as little loss and reflection as possible.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a radar sensor (100) including: a waveguide (104) including an inner wall (110); a first section (112); a second section (114) separated from the first section; and a waveguide separator (120) for separating the second section (114) from the first section (112). The waveguide separator (700) includes: a first component (710); and a second component (720) of a different material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to radar sensors, waveguide separation, and the use of waveguide separation.

Background Art

[0002] In a radar sensor, for example, for the level measurement of liquids and bulk materials for monitoring industrial processes, electromagnetic waves generated by an RF chip are transmitted into a waveguide, and the conductive tube extends into a horn antenna, for example, to emit the waves conducted in the waveguide as space waves or to function as an antenna feed. When electrical insulation is applied during transmission, the waves escape from the waveguide. The electromagnetic waves propagate and reflect, for example, along housing components and other structures. Due to the resulting difference in propagation time, the waves in the waveguide are interfered with. To avoid this, absorbers are used. The radar sensor can be designed so that an absorber can be inserted into the radar sensor inside the sensor housing. Logistics efforts, mechanical handling, and labor in sensor manufacturing are required to prepare the absorber, attach it to the sensor, and hold it in place. Also, grooves for sealing need to be made so as not to impair the function of the absorber.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] There may be a desire to provide an improved radar sensor.

[0004] That desire is met by the subject matter of the independent claims. More preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0005] The described embodiments are similarly relevant to the use of a separator as a component that absorbs radio frequencies (RF) in a radar sensor, a waveguide separator, and a radar sensor. Although details may not be described, synergistic effects may be obtained from various combinations of the embodiments.

[0006] Technical terms are used in their ordinary sense. Where a particular meaning is assigned to a term below, the definition of the term is indicated in the context in which the term is used.

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a radar sensor having a waveguide with a sensor inner wall, a first part, and a second part separated from the first part. The waveguide further has a waveguide separator for separating a second section from a first section, and the waveguide separator is an element having a first component and a second component of a different material.

[0008] To transmit a radar signal, the waveguide guides the high-frequency electromagnetic wave generated by the electronics of the radar sensor from the electronics to an exit point (e.g., an opening or antenna of the waveguide). To receive a radar signal, the wave received at the opening or antenna travels back along the reverse path towards the electronics. The waveguide has a separation point, which is used, for example, for electrical isolation. Thus, the separator divides the waveguide into a first section connected to the electronics that transmits waves into the waveguide and a second section having an opening as an exit, and thus the separator is an intermediate part between the two sections.

[0009] In the present disclosure, the wave from the electronics in the antenna direction, i.e., the transmission direction is taken as an example for explanation, but the embodiments are equally effective when waves are received in the reverse direction, i.e., by an antenna or the like, and the waves from the second section are guided to the first section and the electronic device via the waveguide separator.

[0010] The term "component" as used herein is used to denote a part or section that forms a separation point.

[0011] In the present disclosure, descriptions such as "energy is emitted from the waveguide" are used. Those skilled in the art understand that waveguide waves propagate in the empty internal space defined by the inner wall of the waveguide. Therefore, "leaving the waveguide" means that energy exits from the inside of the waveguide. Similar descriptions should be understood in the same way.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a first component and a second component of a different material have different RF characteristics.

[0013] The different HF characteristics of the two components at the separation point are due to the different materials of these components.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the different RF characteristics relate to absorption and radio frequency conduction.

[0015] High frequency conduction is reflected, for example, in the two-port characteristics of transmittance and reflectance. Furthermore, these materials may have different electrical insulation properties.

[0016] For example, the first component is designed to have better absorption than the second component, the second component has better insulation than the first component, and the wave is designed to pass from the first section of the waveguide to the second section with as little loss and reflection as possible. This means that, for example, the second component has a transmittance better than the S12 parameter value of the second port and a reflectance better than the S11 parameter value of the second port. Correspondingly, in the receiving direction, the S21 or S22 parameter values are relevant.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the waveguide separator has a shape such that at least a part of the first component partially surrounds the first section, and the first component has better absorption than the second component.

[0018] The first component has, for example, a cylindrical portion. The inner diameter of this cylinder is the same as the diameter of the first waveguide section having the same axis of rotation. This means that the first component does not play, or hardly plays, a role in conducting waveguide waves, but surrounds most of the waveguide to absorb the energy emitted from the first component. The second section of the waveguide can be designed to surround the first component in this cylindrical portion and also to surround the first section of this region, although separated by the cylindrical portion.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the separator is shaped such that the second component is at least partially continuous with the inner wall of the waveguide at the portion of the separator, and the second component has better transmission characteristics and / or reflection characteristics than the first component.

[0020] The second component serves for electrical insulation and transmission of waveguide waves and thus has the preferred characteristics described above and below.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the second component consists of a low-loss insulator.

[0022] "Low loss" means the continuation of waves. So-called low-loss insulators, i.e., low-loss insulators such as polypropylene (PP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or other materials having similar properties, i.e., insulating materials with low losses in the high-frequency region in high-frequency technology, are suitable for the second component.

[0023] PEEK CF 30 or PTFE CA 25 is suitable for the first component, for example. PEEK CF 30 is a polyether ether ketone material containing 30% carbon fiber, and PTFE CA 25 contains 25% by weight of carbon. Due to the carbon fiber and carbon, these materials have an absorption effect and are substantially impermeable to high frequencies.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first component is connected to the second component without a gap.

[0025] This dimension suppresses energy leakage and reflection and improves permeability.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first component is connected to the second component by one or more of the methods of adhesion, threading, welding, and / or pressing.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the waveguide separator is an integral part.

[0028] The separator can be manufactured, for example, by utilizing a process of injection molding two components or by turning a rod material composed of two assembled components. By producing it as an integral part, handling and logistics are simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the radar sensor is reduced.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the radar sensor is a level sensor, a point level sensor, a flow sensor, or a pressure sensor.

[0030] The radar sensor is used, for example, in a system of automation technology. The term automation technology should be interpreted broadly here and includes process automation and factory automation. The radar sensor is used, for example, to monitor chemical or physical processes.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the radar sensor has an electronic device with RF components and an adapter element, and the adapter element is designed such that the electronic device is arranged on the first side of the adapter element, the first section of the waveguide is arranged on the second side opposite to the first side of the adapter element, and the waveguide separator is arranged adjacent to the adapter element.

[0032] The adapter element is used in particular for the mechanical fixation or stabilization of the waveguide at its connection to the circuit board. The adapter element may extend radially up to the housing of the radar sensor. The waveguide itself is also mechanically stabilized by the waveguide separator contacting the adapter element.

[0033] According to a further aspect, a waveguide separator is provided, which is a first component and a second component of a different material, and the waveguide separator is configured to electrically separate a first part of the waveguide from a second part of the waveguide.

[0034] The waveguide separator is, for example, a separator for the radar sensor described herein. The separator electrically insulates, for example, an electronic device from the antenna.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the material of at least the second component is a non-conductive material for obtaining the effect of electrically separating the first section from the second section.

[0036] Further embodiments of the separator have already been described with respect to the radar sensor and are not repeated here.

[0037] According to a further aspect, the waveguide separator described herein is used within a radar sensor.

[0038] The separator can also be used in other waveguide devices that require insulation such as electrical insulation.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the waveguide separator is used to electrically separate the waveguide.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to schematic diagrams.

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Figure 16

[0041] All corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals in all the figures. The present invention will mainly be described with respect to an embodiment in which waves travel from an electronic device towards an antenna, but this example does not limit the present invention. This embodiment is equally applicable in the opposite direction.

[0042] Figs. 1 to 15 show schematic diagrams of various examples of the configuration of a waveguide at the separation points of five different embodiments, diagrams of the energy within or exiting the separator and entering different regions of the configuration of each waveguide, and, in each case, curves in which the 2-port S-parameters are plotted against frequency.

[0043] Fig. 16 shows a schematic diagram of a radar sensor 100. The radar sensor 100 includes a housing 1606 and an electronic substrate provided with an electronic device 1602. The RF chip 1604 mounted thereon feeds a high frequency into the first section 112 of the waveguide 104 and transmits a radar signal. The high frequency propagates via the second component 720 of the separator 700 to the second section 114 of the waveguide 104 and finally reaches the antenna 1608 (horn antenna 1608 in Fig. 16). When an echo signal is received, the high frequency path is reversed accordingly. That is, the reflected wave is received by the antenna 1608 and transmitted through the second section 114, the second component 720, and the first section 112 of the waveguide 104 having the inner wall 110 to the receiving module on the electronic substrate.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a separator 120, which is a component that is part of separating a first section 112 of a waveguide 104 from a second section 114. Such separation is used, for example, for potential separation. The thickness of the insulator of the separator 120 in FIGS. 1 - 6 and 720 in FIGS. 7 - 15 is dimensioned, for example, such that a short - circuit current cannot reach the electronic device 1602 from the enclosure. The material of the separator 120 in FIG. 1 conducts high frequencies and also has absorbency. As an example, this material has the name PTFE TFM 1600, a parameter value of relative permittivity (DK value) of about 2.055, and a dielectric tangent (DF) tandelta of about 0.00073 measured at a frequency of 80 GHz. Depending on the material, these two values may be frequency - dependent. In the drawing, the separation point (separator 120 in FIG. 1) touches the component 1610, and the component 1610 may be an adapter element for mechanical and / or electrical connection of the waveguide 104, or may be connected to the housing 102 of the radar sensor 100, thereby achieving mechanical stability. For the exemplary system, a simple structure as shown in the schematic views of FIGS. 1 - 15 is selected. The regions 118, 119 marked with vertical lines form the first section 112 or the second section 114, thereby forming the waveguide 104. The waveguide 104 may be, for example, a metal tube with holes. Suitable materials are, for example, silver or aluminum, but stainless steel can also be used. For at least exemplary purposes, the region 116 is empty, i.e., filled with air. The waveguide electromagnetic wave generated by the electronic device 1602 of the sensor 100 is supplied, for example, into the first section 112 of the waveguide 104, passes through the separator 120, and is then supplied into the second section 114 of the waveguide 104.

[0045] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a waveguide 104 with a first separator 120, showing the microwave energy generated therein and reflected, transmitted, and emitted from the waveguide 104 into the separator component 700 and the adjacent region 116. In Figure 2, the reflection of the waveguide wave within the first section 112 of the separator 120 can be confirmed. Thus, the circle 202 representing the energy of the waveguide wave propagating within the waveguide 104 is significantly larger than the energy within the second section 114 of the waveguide 104. Further, a portion of the energy avoids the separator 120 or passes through the material portion of the separator 120 and enters the region 116. By way of example, the region 204 shown in black in Figure 2 illustrates the position of high energy. The propagation of strong energy to the separator 120 and its adjacent region 116 is prominent. In contrast to the binary black and white representation of the figure, the change between positions of high or low energy is fluid. Due to this black and white representation, the positions of low energy present in almost the entire region 116 of Figure 2 cannot be confirmed. It is desirable that the energy distribution within the waveguide 104 be the same in both sections 112 and 114, i.e., the size of the circles in the figure be the same, and that the energy region shown in black disappear within the region 116.

[0046] Figure 3 shows a plot of the input reflection coefficient S11 and the forward transmission coefficient S21 of the first connecting component as a function of frequency in the frequency range of 70 GHz to 90 GHz. The transmission is constant over almost the entire frequency range. The reflection has a value of S21 of -50 dB and is less than -21.5 dB in the range of 76 GHz to 84 GHz, having a negative peak at approximately 78.2 GHz. At the reference frequency of 80 GHz selected in Figures 1 to 15, the parameter value of S11 is -28.125 dB and the parameter value of S21 is -0.765 dB.

[0047] In this description, the input reflection coefficient S11 is also referred to as "reflection" by omitting it, and the forward transmission coefficient S21 is also referred to as "transmission" by omitting it.

[0048] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of an interface 120 made of a material called PEEK CF30, measured at 80 GHz, with a DK parameter value of 12.32 and a DF value (tan delta) of 0.525.

[0049] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the separator 120 of Figure 4, representing the reflections and transmissions that occur within the separator 120, and the radiation of microwave energy from the waveguide 104 to the separator component 700 and the adjacent region 116. In this case, it can be clearly recognized that, despite little radiation of microwave energy from the waveguide 104 to the adjacent part, there is strong absorption and small reflection, resulting in weak transmission to the second section 114 of the waveguide 104.

[0050] The corresponding S-parameter diagram is shown in Figure 6. The transmission is constant over almost the entire frequency range. The reflection is less than -11.5 dB within the range of 76 GHz to 84 GHz and decreases almost linearly. At the reference frequency of 80 GHz selected in Figures 1 to 15, the parameter value of S11 is -15.9 dB and the parameter value of S21 is -10.2 dB. Therefore, good absorption characteristics are achieved at the expense of small S-parameter values.

[0051] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of a third separator 700. In contrast to the first and second separation points 120, the third separator 700 includes a first component 710 made of a first material and a second component 720 made of a second material. The first component 710 is shown in black and the second component 710 is shown in a grid pattern. The material of the first component 710 is PTFE as in the previous embodiments, for example, and the material of the second component 720 is PEEK CF30. The first component 710 is pot-shaped with a vertically extending edge 712, and the axis of rotation 712 of the pot shape coincides with the axis of rotation 712 of the annular second component 720 and the axis of rotation 712 of the waveguide 104. The side surface 704 of the pot shape surrounds the first portion 112 of the waveguide 104. The bottom 716 of the pot shape has a constant thickness and is larger in diameter than the inner wall 110 of the waveguide forming the pot shape. Further, the bottom 716 has an opening with the same diameter as the inner wall 110 of the waveguide 104, as indicated by the white line at the bottom 116 in FIG. 7. Since this component 710 is directly adjacent to the first section 112, the bottom 716 with the opening forms an extension of the first section 112 of the waveguide 104. The pot-shaped side surface 714 with the protruding edge 712 surrounds a part of the waveguide region 119, that is, the first section 112, and serves to electromagnetically shield the separator 700. Further, the side surface 714 is surrounded by a part of the waveguide portion 118, that is, the second section 114. At the "top of the pot", a protruding edge 702 is located on the outer side in the vertical direction, that is, in a direction radially away from the waveguide portion 119. The protruding edge 702 can form the end on one side of the region 116 or contact another part of the adapter component 1610 or the sensor in FIGS. 7 and other figures. On the opposite side, the protruding edge 702 contacts the waveguide portion 118. However, the shape of the first component 710 may also be different from that shown. For example, if the waveguide 104 is a rectangular waveguide, the shape of the first component 710 may also be rectangular. Further, the bottom 716, the side surface 714, and the edge 712 do not necessarily have to be perpendicular to each other. Further, the side surface 714 may be thicker than that shown, and there may be no protruding edge 712. Further embodiments are possible.For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the second component 720 is cylindrical and faces the second portion 114 of the waveguide 104. However, the second component 720 can also be arranged as a mirror image, in which case the second component 720 faces the first section 112 of the waveguide 104. The second component 720 is also continuous with the inner wall 110 of the waveguide. The first component 710 and the second component 720 may be connected to each other by, for example, adhesion, screwing, or other methods. Or, the separator 700 may be integrally formed.

[0052] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of the separator 700 shown in FIG. 7 and the reflection, transmission, and emission of microwave energy from the waveguide 104 to the separated component 700 and the adjacent region 116. Compared with FIG. 2, the energy emission is less and is comparable to the energy emission in FIG. 5. The reflection is similar to that in FIG. 5, but there is an obvious improvement in transmission. [[ID=*]]

[0053] The reflection coefficients S11 and transmission coefficients S12 of the arrangements in FIGS. 7 and 8 are plotted against frequency in FIG. 9. In the frequency range of 76 GHz to 80 GHz, the reflection coefficient S11 is between about -11 dB and about -15 dB, so it is equivalent to that shown in FIG. 6. In the range up to 84 GHz, the reflection coefficient S11 deteriorates by up to about 4 dB. However, since the transmission coefficient is -2.5 dB, it is significantly better than the value in FIG. 6, which is 10 dB + / - 2 dB in the frequency range of 76 GHz to 84 GHz. The reference values at 80 GHz are -14 dB for the S11 parameter value and -2.6 dB for the S21 parameter value. Therefore, with the separator 700 formed by the two components shown in FIG. 7, good absorption characteristics with an acceptable reflection coefficient value S11 and a good transmission coefficient value S21 are achieved.

[0054] FIG. 10 shows, as an alternative embodiment, a schematic view of a separator 700 including two components 710, 720 made of different materials. In this embodiment, the second component 720 only continues to the inner wall 110 of the waveguide, that is, the second component 720 is adjacent to both the first section 112 and the second section 114 of the waveguide 104 and has an opening through which waves can pass between the sections 112, 114. Similar to the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the first component 710 has a pot shape and has an opening at its bottom 716. However, this opening is adapted to receive the second component 720, so that the remaining outer edge thickness of the bottom 716 surrounds the first component 710, that is, the edge of the bottom at least partially surrounds the first component 710. Thus, the first component 710 and the second component 720 preferably overlap partially along the axis of rotation 712, for example in the region adjacent to the first part 112, the first component surrounds the waveguide part 119, and the second component 710 extends towards the second part 114 in the direction of the antenna 1608. However, the overlapping region may be arranged at another position, such as the center of the second component 720 or the region adjacent to the second part 114. The overlapping region may further cover the entire second component 720 or extend beyond it. That is, the thickness of the edge of the bottom 716 may be equal to or longer than the length of the second component 720 in the direction of the axis of rotation 730. In FIG. 7, the shapes of the waveguide 104 and the two components 710, 720 may be different, for example in the case of a rectangular waveguide. In this case, the axis of rotation 730 would correspond to the central longitudinal axis of the rectangular waveguide. The pot shape can be described as a rectangular pot shape. The first and second components 710, 720 may be connected to each other, for example, by adhesion, screwing, or other methods. Alternatively, the separator 700 may be integrally formed. The expression "the opening at the bottom receives the second component 114" here does not mean that the two components are assembled during manufacturing, but rather relates to a structure that can also be implemented in a single manufacturing step, especially for manufacturing the separator as a single unit.

[0055] FIG. 11 shows a graph of the separator 700 according to FIG. 10 and the microwave energy that is reflected, transmitted, and leaked in the separator 700 and the adjacent region 116 from the waveguide 104. Compared with FIG. 8, the energy leakage is about the same. However, significant improvements are seen in both reflection and transmission, which can also be confirmed from the curve in FIG. 12.

[0056] The reflection coefficient S11 and the transmission coefficient S12 of the arrangement in FIGS. 10 and 11 are plotted against frequency in the graph of FIG. 12. The reflection coefficient S11 is less than 22 dB in the frequency range of 76 GHz to 80 GHz, has a negative peak just below 80 GHz, and the value of S11 at the negative peak is -47 dB. The transmission coefficient is almost consistently around -0.7 dB. The reference values at 80 GHz are -40.3 dB for the parameter value of S11 and -0.7 dB for the parameter value of S21. Thus, the separation point 700 of the two components shown in FIG. 10 has good absorption characteristics with a very good reflection coefficient value S11 and a very good transmission coefficient value S21, which exceeds the values for the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, that is, is superior to the values for the arrangement shown in FIG. 1. The arrangement shown in FIG. 4 also has good absorption characteristics, but compared with it, the parameter values S11 and S21 are clearly exceeded.

[0057] FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a separator 700 including two components 710, 720 according to a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the bottom 716 of the first component 710, shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, is entirely made of a second material. That is, the first component 710 has a cylinder 704 with an edge 712 protruding at one end, the end of the cylinder 704 is open, the opposite end faces the second portion 114 of the waveguide 104, and the opposite end is adjacent to or in contact with the second component 720. The second component 720 includes a disk 1006 corresponding to the bottom 716 of FIGS. 7 and 10 showing the first component 710, and the disk 1006 is adjacent to the first component 710 on the first side and adjacent to the cylinder 1010 on the second side. Thus, the first component 710 completely surrounds the waveguide portion 119, and only the second component 710 is continuous with the inner wall 110 of the waveguide between the first portion 112 and the second portion 114. In this case, modifications as already described are also possible.

[0058] FIG. 14 shows the separator 700 of FIG. 13 and a diagram of microwave energy that is reflected, transmitted, and emitted in the region 116 adjacent to the separator component 700 from the waveguide 104 where it is generated. Comparing with FIG. 11, the energy emission is similar, but the transmission is large and the reflection is small. This can be understood from the almost equal circles in the two sections of the waveguide 104.

[0059] FIG. 15 shows a plot of the transmittance (S11) and reflectance (S21) of the arrangement of FIG. 12 as a function of frequency.

[0060] Comparing with FIG. 8, the energy leakage is about the same. However, as can also be confirmed from the curve of FIG. 12, significant improvements are seen in both the reflectance and transmittance.

[0061] The reflection coefficient S11 and the transmission coefficient S12 of the arrangements of FIGS. 10 and 11 are plotted against frequency in FIG. 12. The reflection coefficient S11 decreases continuously to around -40 dB up to approximately 82 GHz and is less than -19 dB from 76 GHz. The transmission coefficient is almost consistently around -0.3 dB. The reference values at 80 GHz are -31.7 dB for the S11 parameter value and -0.3 dB for the S21 parameter value. This means that the two-component interface 700 shown in FIG. 13 has good absorption characteristics with a very good reflection coefficient value S11 and a very good transmission coefficient value S21.

[0062] From the separation point designs of FIGS. 7, 10, and 13, a hybrid embodiment may be designed. In particular, the design selected for the sensor may depend on the frequency of the sensor. Further, the frequency-dependent two-port values may be affected by changing the dimensions of the interface or the components of the interface.

[0063] Those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by considering the drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims when implementing the claimed invention. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and a singular noun does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other device may perform the functions of a plurality of items or a plurality of steps described in the claims. The fact that a plurality of means are specified in interdependent claims alone does not mean that the use of a combination of these means does not produce an advantageous effect. The reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A radar sensor (100), comprising: A waveguide (104) having an inner wall (110), a first portion (112), and a second portion (114) separated from the first portion; A waveguide separator (700) configured to separate the second section (114) from the first section (112); The waveguide separator (700) is an element including a first component (710) and a second component (720) of a different material. Radar sensor (100).

2. The radar sensor (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The first component (710) and the second component (720) of different materials have different RF characteristics. Radar sensor (100).

3. The radar sensor (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The different RF characteristics relate to absorbency and radio frequency conduction. Radar sensor (100).

4. The radar sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The shape of the waveguide separator is such that at least a part of the first component (710) partially surrounds the first portion (112), and the first component (710) is designed to have better absorbency than the second component (720). Radar sensor (100).

5. The radar sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The shape of the waveguide separator (700) is such that the second component (720) is at least partially continuous with the inner wall (110) of the waveguide at a portion of the separator (700), and the second component (720) is designed to have better conductivity than the first component (710). Radar sensor (100).

6. The radar sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The second component (720) includes a low-loss insulator. Radar sensor (100).

7. The radar sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The first component (710) is connected to the second component (720) without a gap. Radar sensor (100).

8. The radar sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The first component (710) and the second component (720) are interconnected by one or more of the methods of adhesive, welding, threading, and / or grouting. Radar sensor (100). **Claim 9** The radar sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the waveguide separator (700) is integrated. Radar sensor (100). **Claim 10** The radar sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the radar sensor (100) is a level sensor, a point level sensor, a flow sensor, or a pressure sensor. Radar sensor (100). **Claim 11** The radar sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the radar sensor (100) includes an electronic device (1602) with RF components, an adapter element (1610), and the adapter element (1610), wherein the adapter element (1610) is designed such that the electronic device (1602) is disposed on a first side of the adapter element (1610), a first section (112) of the waveguide (104) is disposed on a second side opposite to the first side of the adapter element (1610), and the waveguide separator (700) is disposed adjacent to the adapter element (1610). Radar sensor (100). **Claim 12** A waveguide separator (100) that is an element composed of a first component (710) and a second component (720) of a different material, and is configured to electrically insulate a first portion (112) of the waveguide (104) from a second portion (114) of the separator waveguide (104). Waveguide separator (700). **Claim 13** The waveguide separator (700) according to claim 12, wherein at least the material of the second component is a non-conductive material for obtaining the effect of electrically separating the first portion from the second portion. Waveguide separator (700). **Claim 14** Use of the waveguide separator (700) according to claim 12 or 13 in a radar sensor (100). **Claim 15** Use of the waveguide separator (700) according to claim 12 or 13 for electrically separating the waveguide (104).

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