UD130322@NDSUVM1.BITNET (10/10/89)
I am thinking of building an ultrasonic distance measuring device for
an electronics project. Stanley has one on the market for about $30. It
is the size of a pack of cigarettes and has a max. range of around 32 feet.
They have a model with a max range closer to 50 feet for $50-$60.
A few questions come to mind when thinking about building one of these.
I am assuming these work in the ultrasonic range. Is this correct?
Can the transmitter also be used to receive the reflected signal?
Are there any chips available that would greatly simplify the construction?
Thank you,
Stevejgd@rsiatl.UUCP (John G. De Armond) (10/11/89)
In article <2900UD130322@NDSUVM1> UD130322@NDSUVM1.BITNET writes: > > I am thinking of building an ultrasonic distance measuring device for >an electronics project. [questions deleted] Yes to all your questions. Contact Poloroid for details on their ultrasonic measuring development kits which are the basis of all these gadgets. John -- John De Armond, WD4OQC | Manual? ... What manual ?!? Radiation Systems, Inc. Atlanta, GA | This is Unix, My son, You gatech!stiatl!rsiatl!jgd **I am the NRA** | just GOTTA Know!!!
nagle@well.UUCP (John Nagle) (10/12/89)
In article <2900UD130322@NDSUVM1> UD130322@NDSUVM1.BITNET writes: > > I am thinking of building an ultrasonic distance measuring device for >an electronics project. > > A few questions come to mind when thinking about building one of these. >I am assuming these work in the ultrasonic range. Is this correct? Yes. >Can the transmitter also be used to receive the reflected signal? Yes. >Are there any chips available that would greatly simplify the construction? Yes. Check out the Texas Instruments SN28827 Sonar Ranging Module, which uses the TL851 and TL852 special-purpose ICs. This is old technology, circa 1983, and drives Polaroid electrostatic transducers. There's an experimenter's kit for Polaroid sonar ranging devices from Polaroid, as well. The TI unit is more useful if you have computer interfacing in mind, although the output is just a level and you have to do the timing externally. If you get information on more modern parts, please post. John Nagle
munck@chance.uucp (Robert Munck) (10/13/89)
In article <2900UD130322@NDSUVM1> UD130322@NDSUVM1.BITNET writes: > > I am thinking of building an ultrasonic distance measuring device for >an electronics project. > For $29.95 at the local giant hardware store/lumber yard (Hechinger's), I got a little black box with LCD display that works acceptably for rough measurements (displays in feet with one digit after the decimal) of room sizes in a house. It won't handle over about 50' outdoors, though. It may not be the learning experience you intended for your project, but you could buy one and take it apart. -- Bob <Munck@MITRE.ORG>, linus!munck.UUCP -- MS Z676, MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA 22120 -- 703/883-6688
bill@oakhill.UUCP (bill) (10/18/89)
> -- Bob <Munck@MITRE.ORG>, linus!munck.UUCP >For $29.95 at the local giant hardware store/lumber yard (Hechinger's), >I got a little black box with LCD display that works acceptably for rough >measurements (displays in feet with one digit after the decimal) of >room sizes in a house. It won't handle over about 50' outdoors, though. >It may not be the learning experience you intended for your project, but >you could buy one and take it apart. Some of us working on a "hobby" robotics group did just this and at least the B&D range finder most of the work is done by a chip which is mounted on the board w/o a package (they must intend n selling a LOT of these units). Seems to be covered with a lump of epoxy and while it would be possible to reverse engineer this chip it really wouldn't be the learing experiance you intended. A far better way would be to talk to T.I. or Polaroid applications engineer or sales rep. Poloroid makes the ranging device and T.I makes a set of "decode" chips to match. This is just the point we are at. In addition there is a Byte "Circut Cellar" which gives the details of some devices based on the Polaroid sonar.
strong@tc.fluke.COM (Norm Strong) (10/19/89)
In article <2900UD130322@NDSUVM1> UD130322@NDSUVM1.BITNET writes: } } I am thinking of building an ultrasonic distance measuring device for }an electronics project. Stanley has one on the market for about $30. It }is the size of a pack of cigarettes and has a max. range of around 32 feet. }They have a model with a max range closer to 50 feet for $50-$60. } } A few questions come to mind when thinking about building one of these. }I am assuming these work in the ultrasonic range. Is this correct? }Can the transmitter also be used to receive the reflected signal? }Are there any chips available that would greatly simplify the construction? I'd recommend a tape measure. Much more accurate; much less expensive. -- Norm (strong@tc.fluke.com)