EXPERIMENT : 09

NO

:
TITLE TO STUDY THE CHARACTERISTICS
OF AN ULTRASONIC SENSOR

DATE OF : 15 may, 2023

EXPERIMENT

SUBMITTED BY :

Group Members:
Javeria Naseem (200101045
Hammad Ajmal (200101061)
Anees Waqar (200101017)
Haider Ali (200101072)
SUBMITTED TO
Mam Shifa Nadeem
______________________________________________________________________

CONTENTS

1. CONCEPT
………………..……………………………………………. 3

2. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT ……………………………………….….. 4

3. EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE ………………………………………. 4

4. Task……………………………………..…………………………….…. 5
1. CONCEPT

1.1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment is to understand the characteristic of an ultrasonic sensor

and ultrasonic transmitter. It also provides the practical Observations along with the
conclusions drawn at the end of the experiment

1.2. THEORY

Ultrasonic sensors are used in identifying objects, and in distance measuring devices.
Ultrasonic signals do not interface with other acoustic signals in the Audio Range of 50Hz
to 15 kHz. The typical frequency range of an Ultrasonic operation is 38 kHz ~ 45 kHz.
Ultrasonic signals exhibit excellent reflection characteristics and are insensitive to the
presence of dusts. The working principle of Ultrasonic Transmitter and an Ultrasonic
Sensor are given below:
Ultrasonic sensors emit short, high-frequency sound pulses at regular intervals. These
propagate in the air at the velocity of sound. If they strike an object, then they are reflected
back as echo signals to the sensor, from which distance of the object can also be calculated.

1.2.1. Ultrasonic Transmitter:

When an electrical pulse of high voltage is applied to the ultrasonic transducer it vibrates
across a specific spectrum of frequencies and generates a burst of sound waves.
The vibrating elements are made of two thin plates. These plates begin to vibrate when an
electric signal with the frequency close to the characteristic frequency of the element is
applied to the plates. As the plates vibrate, the energy is propagated through the screen.

1.2.2. Ultrasonic Receiver:

The operation of the receiver relies on the principle that certain ceramic materials produce
a voltage when they are stressed. This is referred to as the piezo-electric principle. The
receiver consist of a slice of ceramic material with a small diaphragm fixed to it. Vibration
of the diaphragm stresses the ceramic material and produces an output voltage. The
reciprocal applies to the transmitter. An applied alternating voltage produces stress which
causes the ceramic slice to vibrate.

Fig. 1 Ultrasonic Receiver

Piezoelectric Effect:
Piezoelectric Effect is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in
response to applied mechanical stress. Normally, piezoelectric crystals are electrically
neutral: the atoms inside them may not be symmetrically arranged, but their electrical
charges are perfectly balanced: a positive charge in one place cancels out a negative
charge nearby. However, if you squeeze or stretch a piezoelectric crystal, you deform the
structure, pushing some of the atoms closer together or further apart, upsetting the balance
of positive and negative, and causing net electrical charges to appear. This effect carries
through the whole structure so net positive and negative charges appear on opposite, outer
faces of the crystal.

The reverse-piezoelectric effect occurs in the opposite way. Put a voltage across a
piezoelectric crystal and you're subjecting the atoms inside it to "electrical pressure." They
 have to move to rebalance themselves—and that's what causes piezoelectric crystals to
deform (slightly change shape) when you put a voltage across them.

1.3. OBJECTIVE

I. To observe the relationship between the input frequency of the Ultrasonic Transmitter
and the output of the Ultrasonic Receiver.

2. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

• Ultrasonic sensor on trainer

• Measuring scale
• Voltmeter
• Connecting wires

3. EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE

• Connect the circuit as shown in the Fig. Set the AC Amplifier gain control to 1000 and
Switch the Low Pass Filter time constant to 100ms.

• Place a flat object 3 feet above the Ultrasonic Transducers. Slowly move the object closer
to the transducers, note down the output reading on the voltmeter.
▪ Repeat again but instead put a sheet of paper over the Ultrasonic Transducers to intercept
the path.

___________________________________________________________
 .Fig. 2. Ultrasonic Sensor

Distance from receiver (cm) Vpp (cellphone) Vpp (paper)

30 2.9 1.2

25 3.9 2

20 4.6 2.6

15 5.1 3.5

10 12.24 4.6

5 15.26 8.5

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Experiment # 09 Page 6 of 6
AEROSPACE INSTRUMENTATION
Q1. Plot the two outputs on one graph in MATLAB. Explain in detail the relationship in the
graph plotted above. [1]

we can see the trend shows decrease in Vpp w.r.t distance. Its because sonic waves have more stronger impact when
cell phone and paper were kept at low distance, all the waves were passing through it. The reflected signal strength
is stronger since at dar distance signal might diverge and the material would be lightly affected.
Q2. At which of the above positions is the maximum output obtained? [1]
Maximum output for both materials were obtained at low value of distance due to strong
ultrasonic signal strength.
Q3. Does the beam pass through a piece of paper? [1]
No, a beam of ultrasonic waves does not pass through paper. Ultrasonic waves are high-
frequency sound waves that are above the range of human hearing. When an ultrasonic wave
encounters an object like paper, it interacts with the object through various processes such as
absorption, reflection, and scattering.
In the case of paper, it is typically a solid or semi-porous material that can absorb and reflect
ultrasonic waves. When an ultrasonic wave encounters a paper surface, some of the energy is
absorbed by the paper, causing a decrease in the intensity of the wave. Additionally, a portion of
the wave is reflected back from the paper surface, bouncing off in a different direction.

Due to the absorption and reflection of ultrasonic waves by paper, the beam does not pass
through the paper in a straight line without any significant attenuation. The interaction between
the ultrasonic wave and the paper causes changes in the wave's intensity and direction, making it
difficult for the wave to pass through the paper unaffected.

However, it's worth noting that the ability of an ultrasonic wave to pass through or interact with a
material depends on various factors such as the frequency of the wave, the thickness and
composition of the paper, and the specific characteristics of the ultrasonic sensor or transducer
being used. In some cases, ultrasonic waves can partially pass through thin or porous paper, but
their intensity and propagation characteristics will still be affected.
Q4. State 4 uses of Ultrasonic sensors? [1]
Ultrasonic sensors are widely used in various fields for their ability to detect distance, presence,
and motion using sound waves. Here are four common uses of ultrasonic sensors:

▪ Distance Measurement: Ultrasonic sensors are often employed for accurate distance
measurement in applications such as robotics, industrial automation, and parking
assistance systems. By emitting ultrasonic pulses and measuring the time it takes for the
sound waves to bounce back after hitting an object, these sensors can calculate the
distance to the object with high precision.

▪ Object Detection and Proximity Sensing: Ultrasonic sensors are utilized to detect the
presence or absence of objects within a specific range. They can be employed in security
systems, automatic doors, and obstacle detection in autonomous vehicles. When an object
enters or exits the detection range of the sensor, it sends a signal or triggers an action
based on the programmed response.
 ▪ Liquid Level Sensing: Ultrasonic sensors are commonly used to measure and monitor
liquid levels in tanks, containers, and reservoirs. By transmitting ultrasonic waves toward
the liquid surface and measuring the time it takes for the waves to reflect back, these
sensors can accurately determine the level of the liquid. This information can be crucial
for controlling liquid supply, preventing overflow, and monitoring inventory.

▪ Flow Rate Measurement: Ultrasonic sensors can be employed to measure the flow rate of
liquids or gases in pipes or channels. By utilizing the Doppler effect, where the frequency
of the reflected waves changes based on the motion of the flowing medium, these sensors
can provide accurate measurements of the flow rate. This technology finds applications in
industries such as wastewater management, industrial process control, and environmental
monitoring.

It's important to note that ultrasonic sensors have a wide range of applications beyond these four
uses, and their versatility makes them valuable in numerous fields.
Q5. What is the frequency range of: [1]
a. ultrasonic signals
Ultrasonic transducers operate at frequencies in the range of 30–500 kHz for air-coupled
applications. As the ultrasonic frequency increases, the rate of attenuation increases. Thus, low-
frequency sensors (30–80 kHz) are more effective for long range, while high-frequency sensors
are more effective for short range
b. Human voice signal
The voiced speech of a typical adult male will have a fundamental frequency from 85 to 155 Hz,
and that of a typical adult female from 165 to 255 Hz.
c. Human hearing frequency
Humans can detect sounds in a frequency range from about 20 Hz to 20 kHz. (Human infants can
actually hear frequencies slightly higher than 20 kHz, but lose some high-frequency sensitivity as
they mature; the upper limit in average adults is often closer to 15–17 kHz.)
Q6. Is ultrasonic wave more resistant to dust particles or electromagnetic wave? Support your
answer with brief explanation. [1]
Ultrasonic wave more resistant to dust particles or electromagnetic wave:

Ultrasonic waves are more effective at dispersing dust particles than electromagnetic waves.
Ultrasonic waves cause mechanical vibrations that physically agitate the particles, while
electromagnetic waves mainly interact with particles based on their electromagnetic properties.
Therefore, for actively removing dust, ultrasonic waves are better, but electromagnetic waves
can still be used for detection or sensing purposes.