Ultrasonic sensors, which are the devices that use sound waves with frequencies above 20,000 hertz (Hz), the upper limit of what a human being can hear, provide us with the information about distance or existence of an object, by measuring the time between the sound wave they emit hits an object and its reflection.
The basic functioning of an ultrasonic sensor includes the following:
Transmitter: The sensor has a transmitter that sends ultrasonic waves. These waves are usually available in the ultrasonic frequency range above 20 kHz.
Emitting: The sent waves travel through the air until they encounter an object.
Reflection: Ultrasonic waves are reflected back when they hit an object.
Receiver: The sensor has a receiver that captures the reflected waves.
Processing: The sensor measures the time it takes for the waves to travel to the object and return. Based on the speed of sound propagation in the air (about 343 meters/second at ambient temperature), the distance of the object can be calculated.
Various application areas of ultrasonic sensors:
Distance measurement: They are widely used to measure the distance between sensors and an object. This application is often used in robotics and automation systems.
Object detection and avoidance: Ultrasonic sensors are used in systems where the presence of objects needs to be detected and necessary actions need to be made based on this information. For example, they are used in the parking assistance systems in vehicles.
Level measurement: Ultrasonic sensors are used to measure the liquid level in tanks. The ultrasonic pulses are sent towards the liquid surface and the level is calculated based on the time it takes for the waves to return.
Collision prevention: In certain applications, the ultrasonic sensors are used to prevent collisions between objects and people.
Ultrasonic sensors are essential components due to their advantages such as the ability to operate without contact, usability in various environments and reliability. However, their performance may be affected by factors such as temperature, humidity and the properties of the surfaces they interact with.
