Spring 2016 RoFi: Ultrasonic Sensor Testing

Christopher Andelin (Project Manager)

Mario Ramirez (Systems Engineer)

Qui Du (Manufacturing Engineer)

Andrew Laqui (Electronics and Controls Engineer)

Henry Ruff (Electronics and Controls Engineer)

Testing Ultrasonic Sensor

Andrew Laqui (Electronics and Controls Engineer)

The Ultrasonic Sensor that was on the old RoFia project was the model SEN136B5B. Their testing can be found on this link here, https://www.arxterra.com/ultrasonic-sensor-testing/. Although the RoFia group seemed to have done some quick calculations regarding how far Rofia can detect obstacles, the method of determining these distances are unclear.

 

For testing, the code found at https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Ping was used to test how the sensor worked. Initially, the sensor was not seeming to detect anything, but after double checking the wiring, it was determined that the Fritzing diagram found on the Arduino site had a different wiring than the SEN136B5B sensor. Once the wiring was connected properly, the Arduino serial communication began to immediately print onto the screen. The test code printed the distance that the sensor was detecting, which made it possible to determine what angles the sensor could accurately detect.

 

A folder was used to simulate a tall object for the SEN136B5B to detect. The folder was held on the side to determine the widest angle the sensor can detect. The sensor was then placed on a tall object in order to determine the vertical detection angles.

 

The table below has the measurements listed.