An ultrasonic sensor is a type of sensor that radiate electromagnetic waves in form of ultrasonic sound to a targeted object.
The ultrasonic sound is then reflected from the surface of the object back to the sensor. It's use for measuring the distance of an object from the sensor by principle of echo.
The ultrasonic sensor is made up of two parts; the Transmitter which "emitts ultrasonic sound wave by means of piezoelectric crystals and a reciever which detects the reflected wave from the surface of the targeted object.
How ultrasonic sensors works.
It mesures distance by calculating the time it takes for it reciever to detect the reflected wave.
The distance is calculated as D=(1/2)VT.
Where D= distance, V= velocity, T=time. Velocity of sound in air is appropriately 343m/s.
Let's take for example, an ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic sound from it's transmitter to a targeted object, and it takes 3secs to detect the reflected wave. Calculate the distance of the object from the sensor.
To calculate, D=(1/2)×343×3
=514m.
Applications Of Ultrasonic Sensor.
Labeled diagram of an Ultrasonic Sensor.
Ultrasonic sensors have wide applications in robotics. It is use as proximity sensor for controlling actuators when an object is detected.
It's in obstacles avoiding system for robots, it's use in automatic doors, regulating and detecting of liquid level in a container.
Tags:
Robotics