How to interface with an ultra sonic transciever?

Kye

Hey guys,

So, I found this cool array of ultrasonic transcievers. However, they are literally just a two wire device with a plate connection on the back. I'm not really sure where to start on how to use them for distance measurement.

Attached are some pictures of them and the array.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I understand that I could lets say, pulse a quick 48000 Khz signal through them and then wait for it to return. But I'm guessing I need amplifiers and whatnot. I'm not really that good at analog interface cirucits so any help is needed.

Thanks,

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Nyamekye,

Mike Green

This looks like an ultrasonic transducer used mostly by Polaroid for the rangefinder for their cameras. It requires high voltage pulses (100 - 150V) if I remember correctly. Do a web search for Polaroid range finder and similar phrases. There are some DIY schematics around. I just don't have any.

www.acroname.com/robotics/parts/R15-SONAR2.html

Post Edited (Mike Green) : 10/13/2009 3:24:00 PM GMT

Alsowolfman

here is the data sheet for the transceivers:
http://www.senscomp.com/specs/600 instrument spec.pdf
it says that they run at a dc voltage of 200, and then a 200 volt ac signal.

as to the board that mike green posted i think that a lot of the cost comes from having a circuit that can generate around 400 volts from a 5 volt source on demand. for you it would make more sense constantly on 400 volt supply, and remove a lot of the cost from each sensor's circuitry. then to generate the pulses i think that you could have a simple square wave, and mouser has through hole transistors that can handle 400 volts for 39 cents each at quantities of 10:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/STMicroelectronics/ST83003/?qs=y2Ae8b0edtNn8ZvpUOI9ug==


i'm not sure about receiving, but you may be able to use it like a normal microphone, and have a high voltage capacitor transfer the ac signal to a transistor that switches you micro-controller's voltage. and at those voltages all of these may need opto isolators, but i am not sure on that

Kye

Woah, that's a bit crazy. I also found some boards for similar modules that look like they are from the 80s, I might be able to use them hopefully. I'm trying to save money and using all the donated parts we have at the CMU robotics club.

(We just have like a bin of 40A motors for example for anyone to take. We just have alot of random stuff.)

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Nyamekye,