Ultrasonic Range Finder - LV-MaxSonar- EZX Series

Previously we're talking about Ultrasound Sonar Sensor (HC-SR04) that could detect the presence of an obstacle and could measure the distance also. Compared to the well-known 'Bug-eye' sensor HC-SR04, we've got another less familiar sensor form Maxbotix, namely Ultrasonic Range Finder-LV-Maxsonar-EZ series; EZ0, EZ1, EZ2, EZ3, EZ4.

Maybe you're taking it just as another product from a different manufacturer but does that really satisfy your curious mind? Don't you want to know what's different in it? Spare some of your time and quench your thirst.

What's Inside?

The basic working principle of this one is the same as HC-SR04 but the input and output controls are different and as you can see there is only one transducer while HC-SR04 had 2 of them. Moreover, it has 7 pins.

Pin No.	Pin Name	Description
1	BW	This should be kept low or open for serial output on Tx. If kept high, Tx will send pulse instead of serial data
2	PW	Pulse width representation of the range
3	AN	Analog output voltage with a scaling factor of Vcc/512 per inch
4	RX	Internally pulled high. The sensor will stop ranging if Rx is held low
5	TX	Delivers asynchronous serial with RS232 format
6	Vcc	2.5V~5.5V input power
7	GND	Ground

What's different?

This one is a little bit costly (~30$). But this module provides better facilities.

▶ Short to long-range Detection: Detects objects from 0-254 inches (6.45m)

▶ Sonar Range Information: From 6-254 inches with 1-inches resolution. Objects from 0-inches to 6-inches typically range as 6 inches

▶ Operating Frequency: 42KHz

▶ Quality Beam Characteristics: EZ0 holds the maximum sensitivity and wide beam pattern among the EZX series. The beam gets narrower in the subsequent models. Check datasheet for the beam patterns.

▶ 3 Different Outputs: The sensor provides continuously updated Analogue, Pulse Width & RS232 serial data when it is allowed to operate in the default mode of operation (free-run).

▶ Multiple Sensor Chain: One can use multiple sensors in a single system. The outstanding feature is that MaxSonar provides a way to avoid cross-talk and interference. There are 3 ways to make the chaining.

    ▶ AN output constant loop: The sensors will be triggered sequentially for ranging.

    ▶ AN output commanded loop: The sensors are triggered sequentially and the last one again triggers the first one thus creating an infinite loop.

    ▶ AN output simultaneous operation: All the sensors are triggered at the same time.

Working Principle:

The operating principle of this sensor is pretty simple. One just needs to send the trigger through the Rx pin. The sensor runs on a cycle of 49ms.

Image Source:

* TechBazar

* MaxBotix

* ece.ucsb.edu