PING))) alternative?
I was looking around on Futurlec.com today for some misc. parts I've been needing. I stumbled upon some pretty spiffy little ultrasonic sensors that looks strikingly similiar to the PING))) sensors Parallax sells. I'd love to buy the premade PING))) unit, but $25 is a little pricy... Instead, I'm wondering if these on Futurlec would work. Does anyone have any experience with these?
http://futurlec.com/Ultrasonic_Sensors.shtml
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http://futurlec.com/Ultrasonic_Sensors.shtml
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Comments
www.hvwtech.com they have some ir sensors and acroname.com they have both ir and ultrasonic sensors.
also the technical details on acroname.com on some of the ultrasonic sensors have schematics which might help you with using the futurlec sensors.
I do not remember the range of the PING but I DO remember an
ultrasonic experiment I did with a microcontroller driving a small piezo directly,
and receiving it's ultrasonic CW beeps by heterodyning with a small electret mic amplified by an op amp and LM386.
The range of that experiment was "between opposite corners of a warehouse" and included eerie echos
and doppler effects.
Therefore IMO, Small piezo + Small electret is probably a good alternative to those ultrasonic transducers.
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So for $4, you could have a couple of sensors and spend who knows how many hours trying to figure out how to use them or, for $25, you can get the sensors on a board with documentation. Also, it's not just any documentation, it's Parallax documentation.
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Speech & Video IC's for BasicStamps
but it was a software issue that was easily corrected. You are welcome to my code.
Most Radio Shacks have them in-stock, just don't forget the 1K resistor to play safely with the Prop.
(Better yet, all UPENE Expo attendees who are on my list will get one for free)
OBC
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Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 7/31/2008 4:18:27 PM GMT
The IR diode setup seems to work fine for me for some projects.
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Concentrate on understanding the problem, not applying the tool
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I just ordered one from parallax to reverse engineer it and see if the sensors I bought from futurlec will work as a drop in replacement. I'll update this thread when I get them in.
Anyone know what parts are need to build one of these PING sensors from scratch?
There's some kind of custom programmed microprocessor (SX28) and two other ICs. One I think is a driver for the transmitter. The other may be part of the receiver. You won't be able to get the pre-programmed microprocessor. You'll have to recreate it or its equivalent.
is a schematic of a similar ultrasonic sensor.
It was quite omnidirectional. I vaguely remember impressive range perhaps well over 30 feet.
(The transmitter and receiver were two totally separate devices, unlike a PING.)
I made it in 1992 and no longer have schematics but it would be easier to do nowadays I think.
They're using a single transducer for both tx and rx.
Not sure if a Propeller based ADC would work with just the transducer or not.
The "buy now" link shows all their products on one page.
http://www.maxbotix.com/BUY_NOW.html
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