Distance Sensor

28 February 2024 06:56 AM

DISTANCE SENSING

Distance and proximity sensing allow you to easily detect the where abouts of objects without physical contact.

How do distance sensors work?

Distance sensors (or proximity sensors) generally work by outputting a signal of some kind, (eg laser, IR LED,
ultrasonic waves) and then reading how it has changed on its return. That change may be in the intensity of the
returned signal or the time it takes the signal to return. Some common terminology when talking about distance
sensing include the following:

Resolution:
Resolution refers to the smallest change in distance that a sensor is able to detect. For example, an IR LED may have
a resolution of about 5mm, while a VCSEL unit may have a resolution of about 1mm.

Update rate:
Usually measured in Hz, update rate comes into play with moving objects. the faster the refresh rate, the more
reading per second the sensor will receive, important information if your sensor is traveling towards a fixed object at
a high rate of speed.

Range:
Range is a distance, from minimum to maximum, that a sensor is capable of returning accurate readings.

How do interface options play a role?

Many things factor into deciding what interface option is best for a distance sensor project. The first is usually what
type of sensor does your project require. Can you use an Ultrasonic Range Finder, or will you need to measure
distances of over 20 meters? This may make the interface decision for you. However, if you do find yourself with
multiple options, one of the main things to consider will be how many sensors you need vs. how many available pins
you have. I2C will use two pins on your board, even if you're using multiple sensors (with different addresses),
whereas SPI sensors will each need their own pin. Other considerations will include things like power consumption,
speed, length of wire from board to sensor, and whether or not received data verification is necessary.

Distance Sensing Technologies

There are many unique options to choose from when you want to incorporate a distance/proximity sensor into your
project. We focus primarily on four varieties of distance sensors: affordable and easy LEDs; crowd-favorite LiDAR;
multi-use, multi-purpose ultrasonic; and the compact yet high-resolution VCSEL. Each option has its pros and cons,
and we have guides, projects and tools to make sure you know which is right for you!

Distance Sensor Principle: Triangulation

The distance measurement is based on the triangulation principle. The laser beam strikes the object as a small
point. The receiver of the sensor (photodiode line) detects the position of this point. The angle of incidence changes
according to the distance, and thereby the position of the laser point on the receiver.

(1) Operating principles of ultrasonic sensors

Ultrasonic distance sensors measure the distance to, or presence of target objects by sending a pulsed ultrasound
 wave at the object and then measuring the time for the sound echo to return.
Knowing the speed of sound, the sensor can determine the distance of the target object.

As illustrated in Figure 3.10,

i. the ultrasonic distance sensor regularly emits a only audible click. It does this by briefly supplying a high voltage
either to a piezoelectric crystal, or to the magnetic fields of ferromagnetic materials.
ii. In the first case, the crystal bends and sends out a sound wave. A timer within the sensor keeps track of exactly
how long it takes the sound wave to bounce off a target and return. This delay is then converted into a voltage that
corresponds to the distance from the sensed object.

Figure 3.10. Operating principle of ultrasonic distance sensors.

In the second case,
the physical response of a ferromagnetic material in a magnetic field is due to the presence of magnetic moments.
Interaction of an external magnetic field with the domains causes a magnetostrictive effect. Controlling the ordering
of the domains through alloy selection, thermal annealing, cold working, and magnetic field strength can optimize
this effect. The magnetostrictive effects are produced by the use of magnetostrictive bars to control high-frequency
oscillators and to produce ultrasonic waves in gases, liquids, and solids.
Working Principle:
 Applying converters based on the reversible piezoelectric effect makes one-head systems possible, where the
converter serves both as transmitter and as receiver.

 The transceivers work by transmitting a short-burst ultrasonic packet. An internal clock starts simultaneously,
measuring propagation time.

 The clock stops when the sound packet is received back at the sensor.

 The time elapsed between transmitting the packet and receiving the echo forms the basis for calculating distance.

 Complete control of the process is realized by an integrated microcontroller, which allows excellent output linearity.

(2) Basic types of ultrasonic sensors

The ultrasonic distance sensor can be operated in two different modes. The first mode, referred to as continuous (or
analog) mode, involves the sensor continuously sending out sound waves at a rate determined by the manufacturer.
The second mode, called clock (or digital) mode, involves the sensor sending out signals at a rate determined by the
user. This rate can be several signals per second with the use of a timing device, or it can be triggered intermittently
by an event such as the press of a button.
The major benefit of ultrasonic distance sensors is their ability to measure difficult targets; solids, liquids, powders,
and even transparent and highly reflective materials that would cause problems for optical sensors. In addition,
analog output ultrasonic sensors offer comparatively long ranges, in many cases > 3 m. They can also be very small –
some tubular models are only 12 mm in diameter, and 15 mm × 20 mm × 49 mm square-bodied versions are
available for limited-space applications.
Ultrasonic devices do have some limitations. Foam, or other attenuating surfaces may absorb most of the sound,
significantly decreasing the measuring range. Extremely rough surfaces may diffuse the sound excessively,
decreasing range and resolution. However, an optimal resolution is usually guaranteed up to a surface roughness of
0.2 mm. Ultrasonic sensors emit a wide sonic cone, limiting their usefulness for small target measurement and
increasing the chance of receiving feedback from interfering objects. Some ultrasonic devices offer a sonic cone angle
as narrow as 6 degrees, permitting detection of very small objects, and sensing of targets through narrow spaces
such as bottlenecks, pipes, and ampoules.

Table 3.2 lists the main types of distance sensors. However, this subsection will focus on an active distance sensor; the
ultrasonic distance sensor.

Types Working Mechanism Industrial Applications

Optical Optical distance sensors detect the decrease or change in Optical sensors can be used for highly
distance transmission of light emitted from a laser or diode. Optical sensors accurate distance measurements.
sensors utilize various spectral regions. Infrared sensors avoid interference Interruption of an optical beam can be used
from ambient light. Red light sensors offer a visible beam that can be to confirm the presence of such as pipette
sensitive to the colour of the target. Laser sensors measure the tips or filters, without disrupting the
interruption of emitted laser. normal flow of system operations.
Acoustic Ultrasonic sensors are the most important acoustic distance sensors. Turbulence, foam, vapors, and changes in
distance Ultrasonic sensors are noncontact devices which use the sonar the concentration of the process material
sensors principal in air, sending out an ultrasonic chirp, then switching to also affect the ultrasonic sensor’s response.
the receive mode to detect a return echo from the surface of the This technology can be used for measuring:
target. With the speed of sound in air (or other gas) as a given, wind speed and direction (anemometer),
distance to the target can be calculated. fullness of a tank, and speed through air or
water.
Inductive Inductive sensors are noncontact devices that set up a radio Inductive analog sensors are ideal for
distance frequency field with an oscillator and a coil. The presence of an object applications involving relatively short metal
sensors alters this field and the sensor is able to detect this alteration. This target travel. They provide precision,
field is emitted at the sensing face of the sensor. If a metallic object noncontact position measurement by
(switching trigger) nears the sensing face, eddy currents are varying the electrical output in proportion
generated. An inductive sensor comprises an oscillating circuit, a to the position of a metal target within
signal evaluator, and a switching amplifier. The coil of this oscillating working range.
circuit generates a high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field.
Capacitive Capacitive distance sensors are noncontact sensors that work by The capacitance is directly proportional to
distance measuring changes in an electrical property called capacitance. the surface area of the objects and the
sensors Capacitance describes how two conductive objects with a space dielectric constant of the material between
between them respond to a voltage difference applied to them. When them and inversely proportional to the
a voltage is applied to the conductors, an electric field is created distance between them. In typical capacitive
between them causing positive and negative charges to collect on sensing applications, the probe or sensor is
each object. If the polarity of the voltage is reversed, the charges will one of the conductive objects; the target
also reverse. object is the other. Therefore, any change in
capacitance is a result of a change in the
distance between the probe and the target.
Photoelectri Photoelectric distance sensors emit irradiating light to the target, Photoelectric distance sensors are specially
c distance receive the reflected light from the target, and can make used for detecting small objects at a long
sensors measurement of the target position. Photoelectric sensors are made distance. Photoelectric sensors offer many
up of a light source, a receiver, a signal converter, and an amplifier. advantages when compared to other
The phototransistor analyzes incoming light, verifies that it is from technologies. Sensing ranges for
the light source, and appropriately triggers an output. Through beam photoelectric sensors far surpass the
photoelectric sensors are configured with the emitter and detector inductive, capacitive, magnetic, and
opposite the path of the target and sense presence when the beam is ultrasonic technologies.
broken. Retroreflective photoelectric sensors are configured with the
emitter and detector and rely on a reflector to bounce the beam back
across the path of the target.