Frequently Asked Questions
OEM Kit
The OEM Kit is the front-end drive electronics for a ranging system. The user must provide the trigger circuit, timing function and display functions as well as the power source. This kit is good for building prototypes. Contents include 6500 Ranging Modules, Electrostatic Transducers, Interface Cables and Transducer Connection Terminals. Quantity of contents varies depending on the OEM Kit ordered.
Ultrasonic Ranging System
The Ultrasonic Ranging System uses a 6500 Series ranging module and a unique electrostatic transducer as a speaker to generate a short burst of high frequency sound. The sound travels out from the transducer in a narrow cone and reflects back to the transducer from objects in its path. The same transducer then becomes a microphone, used to receive the reflected sound energy and converts it into an electrical signal.
6500 Series Ranging Module
The output from the Ranging Module is an open collector TTL compatible signal, going from low to high when an echo is received. To get distance information out of the module, the user measures the elapse time between when the module transmits until the echo is received. Knowing the speed of sound in air, (343.2 m/sec), this time measurement can be converted into distance. There is no analog signal output from this module.
All of the electrostatic transducers can be driven with the 6500 Series Ranging Module. With modifications, the module will drive the 9000 Series Transducer. See Application Notes.
The Ranging Module will operate from 4.7 to 6.8 Vdc. Nominal voltage is 5Vdc. Peak current 2.5 amps during transmit, the average current 100 milliamps.
You can change the frequency of the 6500 Series Ranging Module by changing the ceramic resonator. The output transmit frequency can be changed from 50 kHz to 45 kHz by replacing the 420 kHz resonator with a 384 kHz resonator. This is the frequency required to drive the 9000 Series Transducer.
Smart Sensor
The Smart Sensor and the 6500 Ranging Module both share all the same function and outputs. The main difference is the Smart Sensor includes a 600 Series Transducer attached to the sensor board. It also has a +5VDC regulator on board so a higher power supply voltage of (+6VDC to +24VDC) can be used.The Smart Sensor also includes an onboard, selectable clock circuit and uses a standard (0.100” pitch) header for the electrical connection to the sensor.
Mini Series Sensors
The Mini-A sensor offers a PWM signal (ECHO) which is proportional to the distance from the sensor to the target being detected and an analog output which is proportional with the distance set between the MIN and MAX range setting.
Yes you can. Just program the MAX range setting to the closest distance of detection to the sensor and the MIN range to the farthest distance of detection from the sensor.
The Mini-S sensor offers a PWM signal as well as two independent, open collector TTL outputs which activate when a target is detected within the user programable range windows.
Electrostatic Transducers, Series 600 and Series 7000
The electrostatic transducer is like an electrical capacitor, with one fixed plate and one movable plate. The fixed plate is an Aluminum disk with concentric groves on one side. The movable plate is a film of Kapton material coated on one side with a thin layer of Gold, which is stretched over the Aluminum backplate. The Kapton material acts as an insulator between the Gold and Aluminum. When an electrical potential, a 50 kHz drive signal, is placed between the two plates, the foil is attracted to the backplate. The moving foil displaces air and generates a burst of ultrasonic sound.
The advantages of electrostatic technology are an ultra sensitive, responsive transducer with low ring characteristics. This desirable trait is well suited for detecting soft objects and ranging to targets at both near and far distances.
No, they will stop working when they get wet. They will continue to work when they dry.
+/- 1% of the reading over the entire range, within 10 feet, +/- 1/8th of an inch.
9000 Series Transducer
The 9000 Series transducer has an asymmetrical beam pattern, 15 degrees in one plane and 40 degrees in the other plane.
The 6500 Series ranging module will also drive the 9000 Series transducer with some modifications to the board.
The 9000 Series Transducer will range from 1 foot to about 20 feet for a solid target. It will detect a soft target such as a person up to about 10 feet.
Piezo Transducers
The key elements of a Piezo Transducer are crystal or ceramic Piezo material bonded to a metal case or cone. As this Piezo material is excited by an electrical potential, e.g. a 40 kHz drive signal, the physical size of the Piezo material expands or contracts. The moving can or cone displaces air and generates a burst of ultrasonic sound.
K-Series Closed Face Piezo Transducer
The beam angles range from 22 degrees to 52 degrees.
Refer to the Piezo Transducer application notes.
The 120KHF25 transducer has a beam angle of 10 degrees; the 200 KHF18 has a beam angle of 7 degrees.
The range for High Frequency Transducers is from 1 to 10 feet.
L-Series Transducers
The Ranging Transformer part# 614096 has a metal can shield, is tunable, and has a larger footprint than the 6500 Ranging Transformer part# 619391. The 6500 Ranging Transformer part# 619391SMTLF is the SMT version of the part #619391LF transformer. All transformers will drive all electrostatic transducers.
Miscellaneous
Any standard crimping tool for non-insulated terminal, such as the Klein part#1006 or similar, can be used.
All Series 600 transducers and any sensor that uses a Series 600 Transducer can be used with the Series 600 Mounting Plate Enclosure part# 619390.
The enclosure was intended to be mounted to any flat surface with the appropriate size cutout or with most standard single gang electrical boxes. The enclosure cover may need to be removed for some narrow electrical boxes.
One of the most common issues with a sensor not operating or detecting correctly is that the gain setting on the sensor is set too high. Although the gain setting is set at the factory, some variables such as temperature or jarring in shipping can cause the gain to be off slightly. All you need to do it turn the GAIN adjustment potentiometer down slightly and normal operation should be returned.
Parylene conformal coatings are ultra-thin, pinhole-free polymer coatings that provide a number of high-value surface treatment properties such as excellent moisture, chemical and dielectric barrier properties, thermal and UV stability, and dry-film lubricity.
Yes. SensComp offers the Smart Sensor Ultrasonic Development Kit for Arduino® PID#620100LF.
This kit includes everything you need to get started with an Arduino ranging sensor system.
Products
Sensor Selector Assistant
NEWS
Benefits of Electrostatic Technology
- Long range capability
- Sense small targets reliably
- More stable and better performance over a wide temperature range
