Ultrasonics — How it Works

Rev. 8.03

Understanding Ultrasonics

Ultrasonic sensors measure
distance by using a transducer to
send out ultrasonic bursts. Each
burst contains a series of pulsed
sound waves. The ultrasonic
burst emits in the shape of a
cone, reflects off the detected
target, and is received by the
transducer. The time required for
this burst to travel to and from
the target is measured and
converted into a distance
measurement by the sensor.
Ultrasonic sensing is affected
by several factors including the
target’s surface, size, angle and
the distance from the sensor.
Environmental conditions such
as temperature, humidity, gases,
and pressure may also affect the
measurement. Sensors are
equipped with manual or
automatic adjustments to
compensate for most of these
varied conditions. The following
considerations will help ensure
the best possible sensing
conditions.
ultrasonic sensing
Surface
The ideal target surface is hard and smooth. This surface will reflect
a greater amount of signal than a soft, rough surface. A week echo,
which is the result of a small or soft object, will reduce the operating
distance of the sensor and decrease its accuracy.
Distance
The shorter the distance from the sensor to an object, the stronger
the returning echo will be. Therefore, as the distance increases, the
object requires better reflective characteristics to return a sufficient
echo.
Size
A large object will have more surface to reflect the signal than a
small one. The surface area recognized as the target is generally the
portion closest to the sensor.
Angle
The inclination of the objects’ surface facing the ultrasonic sensor
affects the reflectivity of the object. The portion perpendicular to the
sensor returns the echo. If the entire surface is a great enough angle,
the signal will be reflected away from the sensor and no echo will be
detected.

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 Ultrasonics — How it Works

Ultrasonic Beam Pattern

Produced by the Ultrasonic Sensor
ultrasonic sensing

The beam pattern produced by

the ultrasonic sensor is expressed
as the number of degrees the
beam will spread from the center
line of the sensor. The beam
spreads in a conical pattern from
the transducer. Although the low sensitivity
transmitted ultrasonic beam and
continues to spread, the detection pulses
area of the sensor begins to
narrow beyond the published
sensor range. The detection area
is affected by the number of detection
area
pulses transmitted by the sensor
and the sensitivity level. At high high sensitivity
and
sensitivity and pulse levels, the pulses
detection area is wider and longer
than at low settings. The
following drawing illustrates this beam spread
principle.

Figuring the beam spread is simply trigonometry using the following

formula:
a = b * tanA
Where a = b spread off axis
b = distance
A = degree of beam spread off axis

Tangent of common sensor

a angles: 7° = 0.12278
8° = 0.14054
b 9° = 0.15838

Ideally, the target area should always exceed the diameter of the
beam spread at the desired sensing range.

STI Automation USA APG Headquarters UK Sales Office European Sales Office Asian Sales Office
R
Products Group Logan, UT Gloucestershire Freiburg, Germany Singapore
A28 www.stiapg.com Tel. 1/435/753-7300 1/888/525-7300 Tel. +44- (0)1453-544086 Tel. +49-761-455 26 0 Tel. +65 64844001