Ultrasonic Distance Meter

INTRODUCTION

In recent times ultrasonic has been applied with considerable success

in various fields of Engineering and medicine. It has also found was use in light

industry (e.g. toy industry) agriculture and power engineering. In fact it is difficult

to find a field of industrial endeavor for which ultrasonic energy has not been tried of

suggested, if not put in actual use.

Ultrasonic is the generation and detection ultrasonic vibrations

(16 Kcs to 200 Mcs). In materials having plastic properties, the ultrasonic waves are

of precisely the same matter as sound waves and their propagation and absorption in

various media are governed by the laws which apply to sound transmission.

Ultrasonic vibrations are easily propagation in most of the liquids and metals.

Together will many other materials like glass, ceramics, plastic, concrete etc. but are

highly attenuated in air land gases.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

COMPONENT LIST

RESISTORS :

1) R1 → 27K

2) R2, R16 → 180K

3) R3 → 10K

4) R4, R5, R7, R8, R13, R14, R15 include 1/4 R20 → 100K

5) R6, R9 → 2K

6) R10 → 47K

7) R11 → 18K

8) R12 → 220K

9) R17 → 39K

10) R18 → 1M

11) R19 → 1K

PRESETS :

1) P1 → 25K Multiturn

2) P2 → 10K Preset V

3) P3 → 1M Preset H

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

CAPACITOR :

1) C1, C8 → 220 nf

2) C2 → 1 no

3) C3 → 10 µF, 16 V

4) C4, C5, C6, C7, C9 → 100 nF

5) C10 → 1 nF

6) C11 → 5 nF

7) C12 → 270 pF

8) C13 → 1 µF

9) C14 → 15 pF

DIODES :

1) D1, D2, D3, & D4 → IN4148

SEMICONDUCTORS :

1) IC1 → IC4049

2) IC2 → IC4093

3) IC3 → IC4060

4) IC4 → LM324

5) IC5 → IC4030

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

6) IC6 → LM393

7) IC7 → ICM 7224

MISC :

1) U1 - MA40A5S Ultrasonic transmitter

2) U2 - MA40A5R Ultrasonic receiver.

3) 3 ½ digit LC display with LO-BAT

4) S1 → Push – to make button.

5) S2 → Miniature SPDT Switch.

6) Press on dip for 9V PP3 Battery.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

BASIC IDEAS AND CONCEPT

The ultrasonic range finder presented to is suitable for measuring

distance between 25 cm and about 6m. The measured distance is shown on a 41 /2

digit crystal display-LCD. The low current drawn by the unit makes battery

operation possible. A 'LO BAT' reading ib tge a LCD indicates when the battery

needs to be replaced.

4049

The block schematic in figure 1 shows the four major parts of these

meter, a sender, a receiver, a timing and time reference section, and a counter with

display.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

The transduction element emits bursts of 12 pulses at the frequency of

about 40 KHz. The frequency is roughly identical with the resonance frequency of

the two traducers, so that some sort of selectivity is obtained at the sensing element.

As soon as the first bursts is emitted, a bistable is actuated which enables the counter.

Immediately after the burst has been emitted, the unit is switched to

reception. The sensitivity of the receiver is a function of time. During and

immediately after emission of the burst, the sensitivity is low. Crosstalk between the

transduction and sensing alimentation has, therefore, no effect on the operation of the

unit. If an echo is received very soon after cessation of the emitted burst, it will be

sufficiently strong to be processed by the receiver in spite of the very low sensitivity.

An echo that takes a longer time to reach the sensing element will be weaker, but by

them the sensitivity of the receiver has become higher. The upshot of this

arrangement is that reliable measurement, unaffected by spurious reflections and

crosstalk, maybe made with relatively simple means.

At the instant the echo is sensed, the bistable is reset and the counter

state transferred to the output latch.

Sensed the clock frequency is 17.05 kHz and the velocity of sound

under normal atmospheric conditions may be taken as 341m/s the period of the clock

is equal to the time taken by the burst top travel 2 cm i.e., 1 cm forward and 1 cm

back. This means that the number of clock pulses counted between the onset of

emission of the burst and the sensing of the echo is equal to the number of

centimeters between the transducers and the reflecting surface.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

ACCURACY

The accuracy of the measurement depends on the precision with

which time is measured and on the ambient conditions. The speed of sound depends

on the atmospheric pressure, the temperature, and the air density. Readers interested

in the details of these dependencies are referred to the inset box. A source of larger

errors than caused by atmospheric conditions is the unit itself, mainly due to the

incorrect triggering of the receiver. Partly because of the Q factor of the sensing

element, it takes a finite time (up to a few periods of the 40 kHz signal) before the

received signal attains maximum amplitude and the receiver is triggered. Each

delayed period causes a measuring error of about half a centimeter.

None the less, under normal conditions, measurements made with the

prototype at up to 6 meter were at all times accurate to within 2 % i.e. 2 mc per

meter.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

The transduction element is driven by four paired CMOS buffers.

The output stage is actually a full bridge which causes a doubling of the effective

voltage across the element. Capacitor C1 blocks the D.C. component of the output

signal during pauses in emission. To obtain bursts at maximum energy, IC1 is

connected direct to the 9 volt battery. The remainder of the circuit operates from 5V.

The 40 kHz oscillator is tuned to the resonant of frequency of the

transducers with the end of P1. The regulated supply voltage sources adequate

frequency stability. Comparator A6 matches the logic levels of the oscillator (high =

5V) and the output circuit (high = 9V).

The 5 volt supply is regulated by a 78L05. This type of regulator

requires only a small bias current at low output currents and thus helps to keep the

overall current drawn by the circuit low (typ. 4.5 mA). Unfortunately, the load

regulation of this regulator is poor, good decoupling , particularly of the counter IC

(R19-C13), is therefore essential.

The central timing is provided by IC4. When S1 is pressed, output

Q12 goes high twice a second. Network R2-C11 enables the 40 kHz oscillator for

about 0.3 ms, so to at the emitted burst contains 12 periods of the 40 kHz signal.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

During emission, the output of A1 is high which, via D1, causes the

threshold of comparator A5 to be raised to a level that takes triggering by crosstalk

impossible.

At the start of an emission, bistable N9-N10 is set. This disables the

count inhibit input of IC8, which thereupon commences counting 17.05 kHz pulses

applied to pin 32 by IC4.

Receiver input amplifier A3 has a gain of 33 dB [20 log (R8/R9)].

The amplifier is accoupled because the sensing element has a virtually infinitely high

D.C. resistance. The input offset voltage at the outputs is important because,

together with the input offset voltage of A5, it determines the maximum attainable

sensitivity. Time-dependent sensitivity is realized by A1 lowering of the trigger level

of A5 via time constant R6-C8. The maximum sensitivity may be matched to the

ambient conditions by P3 : more about this under calibration.

When an echo is received, the output of A5 goes low, which causes

the bistable to be reset, and this in turn disables the clock to IC8 (At the same time, a

short negative pulse is applied via R13-C12 and N11 to pin 34 (STORE), which

results in the transfer of the counter state to the output latch of IC8. Gate N11 merely

buffers the low-impedance store input).

When the Q12 output of IC4 goes low, the counter in IC8 is reset, and

the circuit is ready for the next measurement. If Q12 goes low in the absence of an

echo, the counter is still reset, as in the bistable (via D3). The display then reads

0.00 to indicate an abortive measurement.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

Apart from a counter, IC8 also contains all the necessary circuitry for

driving a 31/2 digit display. Only three digits are used in the present circuit. Gate

N12 inverts the back plane signal of the LCD and thus provides a fixed drive for the

decimal point.

The battery voltage is monitored by N13. When it drops to about 7V,

the gate's function changes from non-inverting to inverting, which causes the LO

BAT segment of the LCD to light. Flickering of this is prevented by the hysteresis of

around 200 mV provided by R18.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

CONSTRUCTION

Before anything else, make sure that the printed circuit board fits

snugly in the chosen case. Note that two corners must be removed to allow passage

of the screws that fasten the front and rear of the case.

Many wire links are required and these should, as a general rule, be

soldered in place before any population of the board takes place. Make sure that the

LCD is mounted at the correct height to fit snugly in the window provided in the

case. The distance between the top of the display and the board must be 25 mm. To

prevent crosstalk of the LCD drive pulses to the receiver, it is essential to fit a tin or

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

brass screen between the upper row of LCD pins and the transducers. This screen is

fitted between the two solder pins provided.

A second screen is required to cover the shaded area in figure 4. It

should be soldered to the first screen near C13, and kept in place with the aid of a

few drops of superglue or epoxy resin.

The transducers may be fitted on to the solder pins provided on the

board or outside the case, for instance, in the bumpers of a car. On the board, they

will be located towards the front of the case, in which two 16 mm diameter holes

must be drilled. If mounted externally, they are connected to the board by 2-way

individually screened cable.

If the unit is used in a car, and supplied from the car battery, it is

advisable to connect a small choke in series with the supply line to the meter and

decouple it with 100 µF, 16V capacitor.

Counter Reset
ON
0.3 to 0.5 mm

A6 O/P

Threshold of As

A3 O/P

IC3 Count Lowbat

I/P (echo received) Echo
Received

IC5 Store I/P

(Echo Received )

IC8 Count Lowbat

I/P(no echo received) No
Echo
Received
IC8 Store I/P
(no echo received)

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

CALIBRATION

A good multimeter is essential an oscilloscope and/or frequency meter

is useful.

First, the frequency of the 40 kHz oscillator must be matched to the

resonance frequency of the transducers. Connect a temporary wire link between pins

1 and 14 of IC2: this will cause the transduction element to operate continuously.

Turn P1 fully anticlockwise. Measure the current drawn from the battery with the

multimeter and turn P1 slowly clock wise until the current is a maximum (about 16

mA). The oscillator is then set of the correct frequency. Note that when P1 is turned

further, there is second current peak, but that is NOT the required point. This is all

assuming that the 4093 used in the IC2 position is of SGS or RCA manufacture. The

Motorola version has a smaller hysteresis and this may necessitate an increase in the

value of C2 and 1n2. The national semiconductor version, so that the value of C2

may have to be reduced to 470p.

Remove the wire link from pins 1 and 14 of IC2. Press S1 and make

sure that the transduction element produces a short click twice a second.

Next, P2 must be adjusted until the oscillator in IC 4 operates at 17.05

kHz (measured with a frequency meter at pin 9 of the IC). In the absence of a

frequency meter, placed the unit in the position where the distance between the front

of the transducers and a good reflecting surface (a wall or windows pane) is exactly

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

one meter (measured with a tape rule or similar). Press S1 and turn P2 until the

display reads 1.00. If the reading is not stable or just 0.00, turn P3 slightly until a

correct, stable reading is obtained.

Adjustment of P3 [sensitivity] depends largely on the circumstances

of use. In quiet surroundings, the control may be set fully anticlockwise [maximum

sensitivity]. If, however, the display gives spurious readings, like 128, 256, 512 to

sensitivity is too high: the meter then detects its own clock. This is obviated by

turning P3 slightly clock wise.

If the unit is used in noisy surroundings, reduce its sensitivity even

further, so that it does not respond to spurious sounds. Note, however, that the

maximum measurable distance is then reduced.

It should be borne in mind that adsorbent surfaces, such as furniture,

dressed people, and so on cannot, or at least not reliably be detected. This is because

the echo from them is too weak to trigger the receiver. It pays, however to

experiment. For instance, the sensitivity of the receiver may be increased [within

reason] by reducing the value of R6. Furthermore, the time dependency of the

sensitivity may be altered by changing the value of time constant R6-C8. Reducing

that value makes the meter more sensitive over shorter distances.

Govt. Poly. Washim.

 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

SPECIFICATIONS

LM 324

General Description :

The LM 324 series consists of four independent, high internally

frequency compensate Op-Amps which were designed and preciously to operate

from a single power supply over a wide range of voltages operation of split power

supplies is also possible and low power supply current drain is independent of the

magnitude of the power supply voltages.

Application areas includes transducer application DC gain blocks and

all the convention operate circuits which now can be more easily implemented in the

single power supply systems.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

LM 324-Schematic Diagram
Unique Characteristics:

1) In the linear mode the input common mode voltage range includes ground and

operation voltage can also swing to ground, even though operated from only a

single power supply voltage.

2) The unity gain cross frequency is temperature compensated.

3) The input bias current is also temperature compensated.

Features :

1) Internally frequency compensated for unity gain.

2) Large DC voltage gain.

3) Wide bandwidth.

4) Wide power supply range.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

Single supply ⇒ 3 to 32 vdc.

Duel supply ⇒ ±1.5 to ±16 vdc.

5) Low input biasing current.

6) Low input offset voltage and offset current measured

7) Input common mad voltage range includes GND.

8) Different input voltage range equal to power supply voltage.

9) Large output voltage swing Ovdc/o V+ - 1.5 vdc.

Advantages :

1) Eliminator need for duel supplies.

2) For internally compensated Op-Amp in a single package.

3) Allows directly sensing near GND × Vout also goes to GND.

4) Compatible with all forms of logic.

5) Power drain suitable for battery operation.

LM-393

This series consists of two independent precision voltage comparators

into an offset voltage specification as low as 2.0 mV maximum for two comparators

which were signed specially to operate from a single power supply over a wide range

of voltages. Operation from split power supplies is also possible and the low PS I

drain is independent of the magnitude of the PS voltages. These comparators also

have a unique characteristics in that the input common mode voltage range includes

Ind. even enough operated from a single Ps volt.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

Application areas includes limit comparators simple analogue to

digital converter, pulse, squarewave and time delay generators, wide range VCO,

MOS clock times, multivibrator and high voltage digital logic gates. The LM 193

series was designed to directly interface with TTL and CMOS. When operated from

both plus+ and-power supplies, the LM 193 series will directly interface with MOS

logic where their low power drain is a distinct is advantages over standard

comparator.

V+ (5V DC)
O/P 2

INV I/P 3

NINV I/P 2
GND

TOP VIEW

Schematic Diagram
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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

Features :

1. Wide single supply 2 vdc to 36 vdc.

Duel supply±1.0 vdc to ±10 vdc.

2. Low input biasing current.

3. Low input offset current and maximum offset voltage.

4. Input common mode voltage range includes GND.

5. Low output saturation voltage.

Advantages :

1. High precision comparator.

2. Reduce Vos drift over temperature.

3. Eliminator need for duel supplies.

4. Allow sensing near GND.

5. Compatible will all forms of logic.

6. Power drain suitable for battery operation.

IC6 4030 Quad Exclusive OR Gate :

14 13 12 11 10 9 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

Truth Table

Input Output
A B Q
L L L
L H L
H L H
H H L

IC 4049 CMOS HEX SIX INVERTER/ BUFFER :

IC 4060 14 STAGE COUNTER / DIVIDER / OSCILLATOR :

Vdd Q10 Q8 Q9 R T1 TO T0

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

Q12 Q13 Q14 Q6 Q5 Q7 Q4

IC 4093 QUAD - 2 I/P NAND SCHMITT TRIGGER :

LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS (LCDs)

Optoelectronic display devices such as LEDs inevitably consume

significant elected a, since they directly generate light. Liquid crystal displays

(LCDs), on the other hand, selectively, reflect existing ambient light, and can thus

operate with negligible power consumption. Liquid crystal are mesomorphic

(intermediate between a solid and a liquid) organic substances, the types used in

LCDs are known as nematic (thread like), and can have their light transmission

characteristics temporarily changed by the application of a low voltage external

electric field.

Figure shows the basic construction of an LCD designed to display

either a blank or the symbol 1. The device consists of a thin layer of liquid crystal,

sandwiched between tow clear glass covers and sealed in place by a plastic gasket.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

The upper (front) cover has a mirror-image of the symbol 'l' printed on its rear face in

transport electrically conductive film this symbol is electrically connected to a back

plane (BP) terminal. The lower cover has symbol 'l' printed on its upper face in

transparent electrically conductive film and is electrically connected to an 'S'

terminal, and has an opaque coloured film on its rear.

During manufacture the above components are aligned and sealed

together so that the upper and lower printed symbols are precisely opposite each

other (aligned), note that under this condition the printed electrical connection lines

of the upper and lower symbols are not aligned.

The basic device action is such that they liquid crystal film is

normally fully transparent, and the rear opaque coloured film is thus clearly visible

under this condition. When, however, a symmetrical a.c. square wave is applied

between the BP and S terminals, the localized area of liquid crystal between the

aligned upper and lower symbols changes its crystalline alignments and becomes

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

clearly visible-in the shape of the selected symbol superimposed on the rear opaque

background color-though the LCDs upper cover the symbol's electrical connection-

which are not aligned-are not visible under this condition.

The first generation of LCDs developed during the 1970s, used a

dynamic scattering type of nematic liquid crystal, in the 50 mm thick film, in which

the rear opaque background was usually black and in which the air of liquid crystal

between the selected upper and lower symbols took on a mirror-like quality when the

LCD was stimulated by an external a.c. energizing voltage. This type of display -

which characteristically produced a silvery white display on a black background -

proved to be very unreliable, often having a working life of only 1000 hours, and is

now rarely (if ever) used.

The present generation of LCDs use a twisted nematic type of liquid

crystal, which has the strange property - under normal conditions - of linearly

rotating the plane of polarization of light as it passes through the crystal; the amount

of rotation is proportional to the thickness of the liquid crystal, at a typical rate of 90°

per 10 µm of thickness, but falls to 0° when an electric field is applied across the

liquid crystal.

Most modern LCDs use the basic type of construction shown in

figure. Here, a 10µm film (equal to l/5th of the thickness of a human hair) of twisted

nematic liquid crystal is sandwiched between two layers of polarized glass, which

have their polarization fields aligned at right angles to each other. Note that when

two polarization fields are aligned in the same plane, the combination is optically

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

transparent, but when they are aligned at right angles the combination is opaque.

Thus, the action of the figure. LCD device is as follows:

The basic device action is such that, under 'passive' conditions,

external polarized light passes through the front glass, is twisted by 90 degrees as it

passes through the liquid crystal film, and thus emerges in the same polarization

plane as the rear glass and hence makes contact with the coloured film (normally

silver) on the rear of that glass, which is thus clearly visible under this condition.

When on the other hand, a symmetrical a.c. squarewave is applied

between the BP and S terminals, the arc of liquid crystal between the selected 'l'

symbols ceases to twist polarized light, and under this condition the incoming

polarized light is completely blocked (absorbed) as it reaches the opposing

polarization field below the 'l' symbol. Thus, under this condition the selected

symbol becomes clearly visible-as a black symbol superimposed on the cover.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

Note that LCDs degrade very rapidly if energized by a DC source,

and consequently must be energized (driven) by a perfectly symmetrical a.c. source

(usually a squarewave) with zero DC components. The required type of waveform is

usually derived from a basic CD supply via a simple voltage-doubling 'bridge-drive'

circuit, which takes the basic form shown in figure.

In figure, a symmetrical squarewave is applied to the input of a series-

connected pair of CMOS inverters, which are shown powered from the 10V DC

source and thus each generates a10V peak to peak squarewave output. Which is fed

to LCD terminals or BP, note that these two outputs are in anti-phase. Thus, during

period 1 of the drive signal, terminal BP is 10V positive to terminal S and is thus

seen as being at + 10V positive to terminal S and is thus seen as being at + 10V. In

period 2, however, terminal PB is 10V negative to terminal S, and is thus seen as

being at - 10V. Consequently, if terminal S is regarded as a zero voltage reference

point, it can e seen that the terminal-BP voltage varies from +10V to -10V between

period 1 and 2 this waveform is perfectly symmetrical and has zero d.c. components,

and is thus ideal for driving and LCD.

Finally note that one of the many advantages of the LCD is that (since

its symbols take a printed from) its symbols can take any desired shape, and are

limited in number only by the size of the display and by the need to make external

electrical connections to each symbol. In alphanumeric displays (such as used in

clocks, calculators, and digital instruments) the symbols are usually arranged in 7-

segment or dot-matrix format.

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

APPLICATIONS

Applications of ultrasonic can be divided into two categories.

1. Ultrasonics in industry

2. Ultrasonics in medicine

Both are big fields in themselves. The concentration would be more

on the former one.

In industry ultrasonic is employed for :-

a) Low power applications where in the ultrasonic energy explores a body of

material and is thereby modified.

b) High power application where in the ultrasonics energy modifies the body of

material to which it is applied.

Some of the important low power applications are :-

1) Flow detection,

2) Thickness gauging,

3) Measurement of various physical properties of materials.

4) Extent of corrosion

5) Estimation of grain sizes in polycrystalline materials.

6) Measurement of pressure, concentration temperature, viscosity and

flow rates.

7) leak detection

8) Variable delay lines for computer applications and imaging,

9) Liquid level control

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

10) Level control of copper bins,

11) Automatic door opening

12) Burglar alarm

13) Counting of components on conveyer belt.

14) Blind guidance

15) Sonar

16) Locating shoals of fish and many more.

Significant among high power applications are ultrasonic cleaning.,

welding, drilling, soldering, emulsification, defaming and deaertaing, fatigue

testing, maturing, of wines and spirits. Plastics and fibre welding, acceleration of

various much. and chem. processes etc. The purpose of the is project is to design and

fabricate an ultrasonic distance meter based on pulse echo system. The reduce to be

used is a piezoelectric crystal and having resonance frequency f=40 KHz.

CONCLUSION

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

From our project, we concluded that ultrasonic distance meter can be

used as multipurpose equipment.

i) It can be used in vehicle.

ii) It can be used in industry.

iii) It can be used in air-craft.

iv) It can be used in ship.

v) It can be used in driverless vehicles.

Due to small size it requires small space and overall price of this

equipment is also very less as compared to its utilization.

And it is very easy to operate as it gives readings in digits. After

actual implementation it will give good results.

references

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

1) Electronics for you - September 1997.

2) www.electronicsforu.com

3) www.rediff.com

4) www.goggle.com

5) Data book of National Semiconductors.

notes

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 Ultrasonic Distance Meter

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