Transceiver unit for fill level measurement

Abstract

The invention relates to a transceiver unit (100) for fill level measurement, comprising a generator and a receiver, wherein the generator (120) is designed and configured to emit microwave radiation (102) for fill level measurement; and wherein the microwave radiation (102) is generated by the generator (120) on the basis of a physical quantum effect; and the receiver (130) is designed and configured to detect microwave radiation; wherein the receiver (130) is designed and configured to detect microwave radiation (102) emitted by the generator (120) and microwave radiation (102) reflected by a filling product (101) in order to provide a signal for determining a fill level.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Transmitter / receiver unit for level measurement

[0004] Reference to related applications

[0005] This application claims priority from German patent application No. 10 2024 101 464.4, filed on January 18, 2024, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference into this document.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] Microwave level measurement can be based on various principles of radar technology. A microwave signal with a constant transmission frequency (CW radar) can be implemented using oscillators that incorporate GaAs FETs (gallium arsenide field-effect transistors), SiGe transistors (silicon germanium transistors), or Gunn diodes as amplifier elements. A dielectric resonator, typically made of ceramic, can be implemented in conjunction with an amplifier element, similar to a dielectric resonance oscillator (DRO).

[0008] Since the resonance frequency depends essentially on the geometric dimensions of the resonator, the resulting microwave can exhibit a very stable frequency with low temperature drift. In measurement systems, a DRO can be used as a mixer reference for determining the transmission frequency.

[0009] A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCOS) can be used for generators whose microwave signals are to be frequency-modulated. Using a control voltage applied to a varactor diode in a resonant circuit, for example, the transmission frequency can be varied, for example, to create an FMCW radar. Various circuit stages, such as mixers, amplifiers, filters, and lines, can be used to process the radar signals.

[0010] The microwave signal can be transmitted via coaxial cable, parallel cable, planar cable, dielectric cable, wire in free space, or waveguide. Waveguide systems may be particularly suitable for typical frequencies in the GHz range.

[0011] A receiver for the microwave signal can have amplifiers that exhibit the lowest possible noise and offer a wide frequency range and a large dynamic range for the microwave signal level and amplification with low distortion. Typically, all of these properties cannot be realized simultaneously. For example, modern transistor amplifiers offer bandwidths of several octaves and an excellent dynamic range. However, their noise remains well above the limit set by the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics.

[0012] Disclosure of the invention

[0013] The parametric amplifier principle, which was developed before transistor amplifiers, is widely used in optics and utilizes a particularly nonlinear response of an oscillating system to a parametric power transfer. If the nonlinearity is purely reactive, i.e., non-dissipative, a noise level on the order of a quantum mechanical limit is theoretically achievable. Parametric amplifiers, on the other hand, achieve quantum-mechanically minimal noise performance by amplifying the weak input signal with a pump signal. Based on a superconducting parametric Josephson amplifier for generating coherent microwave signals, the noise can be limited to the order of quantum noise, even though a microwave signal generated in this way generally has a very limited dynamic range and is narrowband.This can be improved based on a traveling wave amplifier, and especially when using superconducting materials, very low noise with high sensitivity can be achieved.

[0014] According to aspects of the invention, a transmitter / receiver unit for level measurement is proposed according to the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, a transmitter / receiver unit for level measurement, comprising a generator and a receiver, is proposed. The generator is configured and set up to emit microwave radiation based on a physical quantum effect for level measurement. The receiver is configured and set up to detect microwave radiation emitted by the generator and reflected by a medium to provide a signal for determining a level.

[0016] The transmitting / receiving unit can be configured and set up, by means of a generator unit, to generate microwave radiation based on a physical quantum effect. The generator unit can be manufactured, in particular, using technologies and components based on superconductor technology and / or semiconductor technology and / or thin-film technology in order to provide a radar device that can be operated over the widest possible bandwidth. The generator unit can generate the microwave radiation based on solid-state effects, which occur particularly in superconducting materials and / or with combinations of different layers and / or differently structured layers.In particular, the unit of the generator that generates the microwave radiation may utilize effects and manufacturing techniques provided by semiconductor technology and / or superconducting technology and / or quantum computing. In particular, the unit of the generator that generates the microwave radiation may comprise Josephson junctions and / or Josephson elements and / or an array with a plurality of Josephson junctions.

[0017] By applying a DC voltage to a Josephson junction, an oscillating current can be generated through the tunnel junction. For a maximum possible voltage of a few millivolts, frequencies up to approximately 300 GHz are possible.

[0018] Advantageously, such a transmitting / receiving unit can dispense with parts of the electronic components used in conventional radar devices for generating microwave signals. In particular, this can result in a longer service life for such transmitting / receiving units. Alternatively or additionally, the transmitting / receiving unit can take up less space than conventional radar devices.

[0019] The generator unit that generates the microwave radiation can be a suitably structured and / or doped semiconductor component and / or can generate or emit frequencies in the upper gigahertz range. If the generator unit incorporates superconducting effects and / or superconducting materials for generating the microwave radiation, the superconducting materials can be high-temperature superconductors to enable the generator unit to operate as close to room temperature as possible.

[0020] A structure of an array of Josephson junctions can be based on a pattern in a metal film on a dielectric substrate, where the Josephson effect can be based on the nonlinear kinetic inductance of a superconducting transmission line. Such a generator unit can have a gain extending over 2 GHz on both sides of an 11.56 GHz pump signal and can have an upper limit on the amplifier's additional noise of 3.4 photons at 9.4 GHz. The dynamic range can be very large, comparable to microwave transistor amplifiers. The described generator unit can be used in the microwave, millimeter-wave, or submillimeter-wave band.

[0021] The generator unit that generates the microwave radiation can be arranged in close proximity to a receiver that receives and processes the signals reflected by the filling material. Provision can be made for the radiation of the microwave radiation generated by a generator to be supported by a first microwave antenna, which in one embodiment may be radially symmetrical. Furthermore, provision can be made for the reception of the signals reflected by the filling material to be supported by a second microwave antenna, which can advantageously be arranged directly next to the first antenna and, in one embodiment, can also be radially symmetrical. The generator unit can be positioned in the axial direction on the side of the first antenna facing away from the filling material. The receiver can be positioned in the same way on the side of the second antenna facing away from the axial direction.

[0022] In a further development, the microwave radiation generated by the generator unit can be initially transmitted to a transmit / receive combiner, for example a transmit / receive coupler, which is positioned as a stripline structure or waveguide structure between the generator unit and the first antenna. In such an arrangement, the first antenna serves as both a transmit and receive antenna, which is why the second antenna can be omitted. The receiver is also connected to the transmit / receive combiner and processes the signals received via the first antenna. Both the generator unit and the receive unit are positioned on the side of the first antenna facing away from the filling material in the axial direction, whereby the two units can advantageously be arranged side by side.The generator unit can be controlled, in particular, by specifying a specific voltage and / or current. This specification can be made by a control circuit, which can, for example, comprise a processor and associated program code for control. The receiving unit can be switched to active operation, in particular, by providing a supply voltage and / or a supply current, which in turn can be implemented by the control circuit.

[0023] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the generator be configured and set up to emit coherent microwave radiation for level measurement. Coherent microwave radiation can be used as a radar signal for precise level measurement.

[0024] Microwave radiation generated with Josephson junctions is typically coherent.

[0025] According to one aspect, it is proposed that a unit of the generator, which is arranged and configured to generate microwave radiation for level measurement, and a unit of the receiver, which is arranged and configured to detect microwave radiation, are the same unit.

[0026] Advantageously, the transmitting / receiving unit can be manufactured compactly if the generator unit and the receiver unit are identical, wherein the transmitting / receiving unit can be configured to control an operation of this unit for generating the microwave radiation or for detecting the microwave radiation differently.

[0027] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the generator and / or the receiver comprise a thin-film component for generating and detecting the microwave radiation, respectively. Advantageously, thin-film technology allows components, such as the generator unit for generating the microwave radiation, to be structured very precisely.

[0028] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the generator and / or the receiver comprise a semiconductor component to generate or detect the microwave radiation.

[0029] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the generator and / or the receiver is arranged and configured to generate or detect the microwave radiation based on a physical superconducting effect of a component of the generator.

[0030] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the generator and / or the receiver have a Josephson junction to generate or detect the microwave radiation.

[0031] The Josephson junction can have two superconducting sections separated by a thin layer of insulating material. The thin layer of insulating material can be a few nanometers thick and classically represents a barrier to current flow. If the current flow is carried by Cooper pairs, the electrical conductivity across the thin layer can be explained by the quantum mechanical wavefunction of the respective Cooper pairs extending beyond the insulating layer, so that the wavefunctions overlap, resulting in a resistance-free current flow across the thin layer. This would classically correspond to particle tunneling.

[0032] By applying a DC voltage to the numerous Josephson elements, which can be connected in series, an oscillating current can be generated through the tunnel junction or Josephson junction. For a maximum possible voltage of a few millivolts, frequencies up to approximately 300 GHz are thus possible.

[0033] When the Cooper pairs from the first superconductor enter the tunnel junction and "break" into single electrons, they absorb an energy of 2 eUT. They must release this energy when they enter the second superconductor, where they recombine into Cooper pairs. This is only possible by radiating the excess energy as a coherent electromagnetic wave. Its frequency corresponds to that of a Josephson alternating current. The radiated power is very low, less than one microwatt. When exposed to high-frequency electromagnetic waves (microwaves), discrete voltage values ​​are generated between the two superconductors, which depend only on the frequency of the microwave.

[0034] It may be provided to specify and / or evaluate only the frequency of the emitted and / or received microwave signals by means of the generator and / or the receiver and / or a control circuit for the generator and / or receiver. By appropriately selecting modulation methods such as the FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) method or the SFCW (Stepped Frequency Continuous Wave) method, the specification or detection of the microwave amplitude can be omitted, since the variables to be determined during level measurement, in particular the distance to the filling material, can be determined from the temporal progression of the frequency and / or the phase of the received signal using known methods.

[0035] Alternatively and / or additionally, it may also be possible to specify the amplitude of the high-frequency signals during transmission and / or reception. For this purpose, a controllable attenuator inserted between the transmitter and the transmitting antenna and / or between the receiver and the receiving antenna can be used.

[0036] A preferred design variant can be designed as follows: A microwave signal generator / resonator that amplifies the wave generated by a 3D transducer, formerly known as a Cooper pair box, via coupled Josephson elements. It then transmits it to the antenna unit with low noise, e.g., via Purcell filters, and radiates it freely. Preferably, it uses the same Josephson element array as a receiver. A type of solid-state quantum radar Rx / Tx for level measurement (quantum computing-driven radar level measurement device).

[0037] To realize this design variant, various types of series-connected or parallel Josephson junctions (JPAs, JTWPAs, etc.) can be used. The measurement, control, and coupling of transmons is achieved using microwave resonators using techniques from circuit quantum electrodynamics, which are also applicable to other superconducting qubits. Coupling to the resonators is achieved, if necessary, by placing a capacitor between the qubit and the resonator at a point where the electromagnetic field of the resonator is largest. For example, in Quantum Experience devices, the resonators are implemented with coplanar "quarter-wave" waveguides with a maximum field at the signal ground short circuit at the waveguide end. Therefore, transmon qubits can have a long resonator tail. One realization of qubits for quantum computers is based on superconducting circuits with Josephson junctions as the central nonlinear component.

[0038] Further embodiments may include quantum harmonic oscillators and / or SQUIDS (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices).

[0039] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the generator and the receiver comprise a Josephson junction to generate the microwave radiation. According to one aspect, it is proposed that the generator comprise a plurality of Josephson junctions to generate the microwave radiation.

[0040] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the transmitting / receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims comprises: a cooling unit which is thermally coupled to the generator in order to cool the generator to a temperature below a room temperature for operating the generator.

[0041] The room temperature can range from 15 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius and is preferably 20 degrees Celsius.

[0042] In particular, the cooling unit can be based on a nitrogen cooling system, corresponding to a "Portable Solid Nitrogen Cooling System for High Transition Temperature Superconductive Electronics." The cooling unit can be configured and set up according to such a miniature solid nitrogen cooling system for operation at 45 K to operate (high-temperature) superconducting Josephson devices. The cooling unit can comprise a small 100 ml fiberglass Dewar and an external pump to solidify nitrogen in thermal contact with a printed circuit board insert. Such a cooling unit can maintain a base temperature of 45 K for 12 hours to provide a low-power, lightweight cooling unit for ultraportable superconducting electronics and other cryogenic sensors.

[0043] Alternatively, the cooling unit can have highly efficient Peltier elements (corresponding to the Seebeck effect) based on bismuth (Bi).

[0044] If superconducting line sections for Josephson junctions can be operated at temperatures higher than room temperature, the transmitter / receiver unit can be operated without the cooling unit.

[0045] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the cooling unit has a storage unit for receiving liquid nitrogen in order to cool the generator based on the liquid nitrogen.

[0046] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the cooling unit has a storage unit for receiving solid nitrogen in order to cool the generator based on the solid nitrogen.

[0047] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the cooling unit comprises a Peltier element for cooling the generator. According to one aspect, it is proposed that the transmitting / receiving unit comprises a thermally insulating housing, wherein, in particular, the generator and the receiver are arranged within the thermally insulating housing in order to be thermally insulated from the environment.

[0048] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the cooling unit is thermally coupled to the generator and / or the receiver, in particular to cool the generator and / or the receiver within the thermally insulating housing.

[0049] According to one aspect, it is proposed that the insulating housing has a window that is arranged and configured to be permeable to the microwave signal and, in particular, is designed to be thermally insulating.

[0050] Level measuring device comprising a transmitting / receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims for emitting and / or detecting a generated microwave signal.

[0051] It is proposed to use the transmitting / receiving unit described above for process control.

[0052] Examples of implementation

[0053] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated with reference to Figure 1 and explained in more detail below. It shows:

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic sketch of a transmitter / receiver unit for level measurement.

[0055] Figure 1 schematically outlines a transmitting / receiving unit 100 for level measurement, comprising a generator 120 and a receiver 130. The generator 120, in particular based on a generating unit, is configured and set up to emit microwave radiation 102 for level measurement. The generator 120 has a unit, such as a plurality of Josephson junctions, for generating microwave radiation. The unit for generating microwave radiation can be based on a physical quantum effect and / or a physical superconducting effect. The receiver 130 can be configured and set up by means of the unit to detect the microwave radiation emitted by the generator 120 and reflected by a filling material in order to provide a signal for determining a level, in particular for a level sensor.

[0056] The receiver 130 may include a further unit, or a further Josephson junction. Alternatively, the unit of the generator 120, or the Josephson junction of the generator 120, may be arranged and configured to provide a functionality of the receiver 130 for detecting microwave radiation.

[0057] The generator 120 and / or the receiver 130 can be signal-coupled to a control unit 150 to operate the receiver 130 and / or the generator. The control unit 150 can be coupled to a switch 155 to switch the transmitting / receiving unit 100 from a transmitting mode, in which the generator 120 generates and emits the microwave signal 102, to a receiving mode and back, in order to detect a reflected microwave signal 102 by the receiver 130. The emission of the microwave signal 102 can be assisted by an antenna 160 and / or a reflector to adapt a transition of the generated microwave signal 102 to a free field in which the filling medium 101 is arranged.

[0058] The generator 120 and / or the receiver 130 can be thermally coupled to a cooling unit 180 in order to cool the generator 120 to a temperature below room temperature, for example, 25 degrees Celsius, for operating the generator 120. For this purpose, the cooling unit 180 can have a storage unit for holding liquid nitrogen in order to cool the generator 120 and / or the receiver 130 based on the liquid nitrogen. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling unit 180 can have a storage unit for holding solid nitrogen for cooling the generator 120 and / or the receiver 130. The cooling unit 180 can be arranged at least partially outside the transmitting / receiving unit 100. The transmitting / receiving unit 100 can be arranged within a housing 110.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, the cooling unit 180 can be configured to cool the generator 120 and / or the receiver 130 by means of a Peltier element 186.

[0060] In particular, to reduce the cooling power of the cooling unit 180, the transmitting / receiving unit 100 may include a thermally insulating housing 185, wherein the generator 120 and the receiver 130 are arranged within the thermally insulating housing 185 to be thermally insulated from the environment. The insulating housing 185 may include a window configured to thermally insulate the region in which the window is arranged within the insulating housing 185 and further configured to be permeable to the microwave signal 102.

Claims

Claims 1. A transmitter / receiver unit (100) for level measurement comprising: a generator (120) which is set up and configured, To emit microwave radiation (102) for level measurement; wherein the microwave radiation (102) is generated by the generator (120) based on a physical quantum effect; and a receiver (130) which is set up and configured to detect microwave radiation; wherein the receiver (130) is set up and configured to detect microwave radiation (102) emitted by the generator (120) and microwave radiation (102) reflected by a filling material (101) in order to provide a signal for determining a level.

2. Transceiver unit (100) according to claim 1, wherein the generator (120) is arranged and configured to emit coherent microwave radiation for level measurement.

3. Transmitting / receiving unit (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a unit of the generator, which is arranged and configured to generate microwave radiation (102) for level measurement, and a unit of the receiver, which is arranged and configured to detect microwave radiation, are the same unit.

4. Transceiver unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generator (120) comprises a thin-film component to generate the microwave radiation (102).

5. Transceiver unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generator (120) comprises a semiconductor component to generate the microwave radiation (102).

6. Transmitting / receiving unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generator (120) is arranged and configured based on a physical superconducting effect of a component of the generator to generate the microwave radiation (102).

7. Transceiver unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generator (120) has a Josephson junction to generate the microwave radiation (102).

8. Transceiver unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generator (120) has a plurality of Josephson junctions to generate the microwave radiation (102).

9. Transceiver unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a cooling unit (180) thermally coupled to the generator (120) for cooling the generator (120) to a temperature below room temperature for operating the generator (120).

10. Transmitting / receiving unit (100) according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the cooling unit (180) has a storage unit for receiving liquid nitrogen in order to cool the generator (120) based on the liquid nitrogen.

11. The transmitting / receiving unit (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the cooling unit (180) comprises a storage unit for receiving solid nitrogen in order to cool the generator (120) based on the solid nitrogen.

12. Transceiver unit (100) according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the cooling unit (180) comprises a Peltier element for cooling the generator (120).

13. The transceiver unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a thermally insulating housing (185); and wherein the generator (120) and the receiver (130) are arranged within the thermally insulating housing (185) to be thermally isolated from an environment.

14. Transceiver unit (100) according to claim 13, wherein the cooling unit (180) is thermally coupled to the generator (120) and / or the receiver (130), in particular to cool the generator (120) and / or the receiver (130) within the thermally insulating housing (185).

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