HRLV-MaxSonar
®
- EZ
™
Series
HRLV-MaxSonar - EZ Series
High Resolution, Precision, Low Voltage Ultrasonic Range Finder
MB1003, MB1013, MB1023, MB1033, MB1043
6
The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensor line is the most cost-effective solution for
applications where precision range-finding, low-voltage operation, and low-cost are
needed. This sensor component module allows users of other more costly precision
rangefinders to lower the cost of their systems without sacrificing performance.
The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensor line provides high accuracy and high resolution ultrasonic proximity detection and
ranging in air, in a package less than one cubic inch. This sensor line features 1-mm resolution, target-size and
operating-voltage compensation for improved accuracy, superior rejection of outside noise sources, internal speed-
of-sound temperature compensation and optional external speed-of-sound temperature compensation. This
ultrasonic sensor detects objects from 1-mm to 5-meters, senses range to objects from 30-cm to 5-meters, with large
objects closer than 30-cm are typically reported as 30-cm
1
. The interface output formats are pulse width, analog
voltage, and serial digital in either RS232 or TTL. Factory calibration is standard.
1
See Close Range Operation
•
Stable and reliable range readings and
•
100mS measurement cycle
Precision Range Sensing
excellent noise rejection make the sensor
•
Free run operation uses a 2Hz filter, with
•
Range-finding at a fraction of the cost of
•
•
other precision rangefinders
Reading-to-reading stability of 1-mm at 1
-meter is typical
Accuracy is factory-matched at 1-meter
to 0.1% providing a typical large target
accuracy of 1% or better for most
voltages and uses
2
Calibrated acoustic detection zones
allows selection of the part number that
matches a specific application
Compensation for target size variation
and operating voltage range
Standard internal temperature
compensation and optional external
temperature compensation
®
™
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
easy to use
Easy to use interface with distance
provided in a variety of outputs
Target size compensation provides
greater consistency and accuracy when
switching targets
Sensor automatically handles acoustic
noise
2,3
Sensor ignores other acoustic noise
sources
Small and easy to mount
Calibrated sensor eliminates most sensor
to sensor variations
Very low power ranger, excellent for
multiple sensors or battery based systems
•
•
•
•
100mS measurement and output cycle
Actual operating temperature range from
–40°C to +65°C, Recommended
operating temperature range from -15°C
to +65°C, provided proper frost
prevention is employed
5
Operating voltage from 2.5V to 5.5V
5
Nominal current draw of 2.5mA at 3.3V,
and 3.1mA at 5V
Low current draw reduces current
drain
for battery operation
•
Fast first reading after power-up
eases battery requirements
Range Outputs
•
Pulse width, (1uS/mm)
•
Analog Voltage, (5mm resolution)
•
Serial, (RS232 or TTL using solder-able
General Characteristics
•
Low-cost ultrasonic rangefinder
•
Size less than 1 cubic inch with easy
mounting
Object proximity detection from 1-mm to
5-meters
Resolution of 1-mm
Excellent
3
Mean Time Between Failure
(MTBF)
Triggered operation yields a real-time
Notes:
1
jumper or volume orders available as no-
•
cost factory installed jumper)
Easy to Use Component
Module
•
Gracefully handles other ultrasonic
sensors
4
•
•
•
See Close Range Operation
Users are encouraged to evaluate the sensor
performance in their application.
3
By design.
4
See page 5 for multi-sensor operation.
5
Please reference page 5 for minimum
operating voltage verses temperature
information.
6
Please reference page 16 for part number key.
2
Close Range Operation
Applications requiring 100% reading-to-reading reliability should not use MaxSonar sensors at a distance closer than
30cm. Although most users find MaxSonar sensors to work reliably from 0 to 30cm for detecting objects in many
applications, MaxBotix
®
Inc. does not guarantee operational reliability for objects closer than the minimum reported
distance. Because of ultrasonic physics, these sensors are unable to achieve 100% reliability at close distances.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Warning: Personal Safety Applications
We do not recommend or endorse this product be used as a component in any personal safety applications. This product is
not designed, intended or authorized for such use. These sensors and controls do not include the self-checking redundant
circuitry needed for such use. Such unauthorized use may create a failure of the MaxBotix
®
Inc. product which may result
in personal injury or death. MaxBotix
®
Inc. will not be held liable for unauthorized use of this component.
MaxBotix
®
Inc.
Copyright 2005 - 2014 MaxBotix Incorporated
Patent 7,679,996
MaxBotix Inc., products are engineered and assembled in the USA
Page 1
Web:
www.maxbotix.com
PD11721k
HRLV-MaxSonar
®
- EZ
™
Series
Applications & Uses
•
•
•
•
Proximity zone detection
People detection
Robots ranging sensor
Autonomous navigation Distance
measuring
•
Long range object detection
•
Automated factory systems
•
This product is not recommended as
a device for personal safety
•
Designed for protected indoor envi-
ronments
•
Motion detectors
•
Limited tank level measurements
•
Box dimensions
•
Environments with acoustic and elec-
trical noise
•
Height monitors
•
Auto sizing
Pin Out Description
Pin 1- Temperature Sensor Connection:
Leave this pin unconnected if an external
temperature sensor is not used. For best accuracy, this pin is optionally connected to the
HR-MaxTemp temperature sensor. Look up the HR-MaxTemp temperature sensor for
additional information.
Pin 2- Pulse Width Output:
This pin outputs a pulse width representation of the distance
with a scale factor of 1uS per mm. Output range is 300uS for 300-mm to 5000uS for
5000-mm. Pulse width output is +/- 1% of the serial data sent.
Pin 3- Analog Voltage Output:
On power-up, the voltage on this pin is set to 0V, after
which, the voltage on this pin has the voltage corresponding to the latest measured distance.
This pin outputs an analog voltage scaled representation of the distance with a scale factor of (Vcc/1024) per 5-mm. (This
output voltage is referenced to GND, Pin 7.) The analog voltage output is typically within ±10-mm of the serial output.
Using a 10bit analog to digital convertor, one can read the analog voltage bits (i.e. 0 to 1023) directly and just multiply the
number of bits in the value by 5 to yield the range in mm. For example, 60 bits corresponds to 300-mm (where 60 * 5 =
300), and 1000 bits corresponds to 5000-mm (where 1000 * 5 = 5000-mm).
For users of this output that desire to work in voltage, a 5V power supply yields~4.88mV per 5 mm. Output voltage range
when powered with 5V is 293mV for 300-mm, and 4.885V for 5000-mm.
Pin 4- Ranging Start/Stop:
This pin is internally pulled high. If this pin is left unconnected or held high, the sensor will
continually measure and output the range data. If held low, the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ will stop ranging. Bring high for
20uS or longer to command a range reading.
Real-time Range Data:
When pin 4 is low and then brought high, the sensor will operate in real time and the first reading
output will be the range measured from this first commanded range reading. When the sensor tracks that the RX pin is low
after each range reading, and then the RX pin is brought high, unfiltered real time range information can be obtained as
quickly as every 100mS.
Filtered Range Data:
When pin 4 is left high, the sensor will continue to range every 100mS, but the output will pass
through a 2Hz filter, where the sensor will output the range based on recent range information.
Pin 5-Serial Output:
By default, the serial output is RS232 format (0 to Vcc) with a 1-mm resolution. If TTL
output is desired, solder the TTL jumper pads on the back side of the PCB as shown in the photo to the right.
For volume orders, the TTL option is available as no-cost factory installed jumper. The output is an ASCII
capital “R”, followed by four ASCII character digits representing the range in millimeters, followed by a
carriage return (ASCII 13). The maximum distance reported is 5000. The serial output is the most accurate of the range
outputs. Serial data sent is 9600 baud, with 8 data bits, no parity, and one stop bit.
V+ Pin 6 - Positive Power, Vcc:
The sensor operates on voltages from 2.5V - 5.5V DC. For best operation, the sensor
requires that the DC power be free from electrical noise. (For installations with known dirty electrical power, a 100uF
capacitor placed at the sensor pins between V+ and GND will typically correct the electrical noise.) Please reference page
5 for minimum operating voltage verses temperature information.
GND Pin 7 – Sensor ground pin:
DC return, and circuit common ground.
About Ultrasonic Sensors
Our ultrasonic sensors are in air, non-contact object detection and ranging sensors that detect objects within an area. These
sensors are not affected by the color or other visual characteristics of the detected object. Ultrasonic sensors use high
frequency sound to detect and localize objects in a variety of environments. Ultrasonic sensors measure the time of flight
for sound that has been transmitted to and reflected back from nearby objects. Based upon the time of flight, the sensor
then outputs a range reading.
MaxBotix
®
Inc.
Copyright 2005 - 2014 MaxBotix Incorporated
Patent 7,679,996
MaxBotix Inc., products are engineered and assembled in the USA
Page 2
Web:
www.maxbotix.com
PD11721k
HRLV-MaxSonar
®
- EZ
™
Series
Auto Calibration
Each time the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ takes a range reading, it calibrates itself. The sensor then uses this data to range
objects. If the temperature, humidity, or applied voltage changes during sensor operation; the sensor will continue to
function normally over the rated temperature range while applying compensation for changes caused by temperature and
voltage.
Sensor Operation: Free-Run
When operating in free run mode, the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensors are designed to be used in a variety of indoor
environments. Most range readings are accurately reported. If the range readings are affected, the effect is typically less
than 5 mm. This allows users to employ real-time ultrasonic distance sensing without the need for additional supporting
circuitry or complicated user software.
Many acoustic noise sources will have little to no effect on the reported range of the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensors.
However, users are encouraged to test sensor operation in the operating environment.
Sensor Minimum Distance
The sensor minimum reported distance is 30-cm (11.8 inches). However, the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ will range and report
targets to within 1-mm of the front sensor face. Large targets closer than 30-cm will typically range as 300-mm.
Sensor Operation from 30-cm to 50-cm
Because of acoustic phase effects in the near field, objects between 30-cm and 50-cm may experience acoustic phase
cancellation of the returning waveform resulting in inaccuracies of up to 5-mm. These effects become less prevalent as the
target distance increases, and has not been observed past 50-cm. For this reason, industrial users that require the highest
sensor accuracy are encouraged to mount the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ from objects that are farther than 50-cm.
Range “0” Location
The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ reports the range to distant targets starting from the back of the sensor PCB as shown in the
diagram below.
In general, the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ will report the range to the leading edge of the closest detectable object. Target
detection has been characterized in the sensor beam patterns.
Target Size Compensation
Most low cost ultrasonic rangefinders will report the range to smaller size targets as farther than the actual distance. In
addition, they may also report the range to larger size targets as closer than the actual distance.
The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensor line correctly compensates for target size differences. This means that, provided an
object is large enough to be detected, the sensor will report the same distance, typically within 2%, regardless of target
size. Smaller targets can have additional detection noise that may limit this feature. In addition, targets with small or
rounded surfaces may have an apparent distance that is slightly farther, where the distance reported may be a composite of
the sensed object(s). Compensation for target size is applied to all range outputs: pulse width, analog voltage, and serial
RS232 or TTL.
MaxBotix
®
Inc.
Copyright 2005 - 2014 MaxBotix Incorporated
Patent 7,679,996
MaxBotix Inc., products are engineered and assembled in the USA
Page 3
Web:
www.maxbotix.com
PD11721k
HRLV-MaxSonar
®
- EZ
™
Series
Supply Voltage Droop and Charge Compensation
During power up, the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensor line will calibrate itself for changes in supply voltage. Additionally,
the sensor will compensate if the supplied voltage gradually changes.
If the voltage applied to the sensor changes faster than 0.5V per second, it is best to remove and reapply power to the
sensor.
The sensor requires noise free power for best operation. If the sensor is used with noise on the supplied power, the
readings may be affected. Typically adding a 100uF capacitor at the sensor between the V+ and GND pins will correct
most power related electrical noise issues.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mechanical Dimensions
Paint Dot & Location
Paint Dot Color
Black
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow
Part Number
MB1003
MB1013
MB1023
MB1033
MB1043
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Temperature Compensation
On Board - Internal Temperature Compensation
The speed of sound in air increases about 0.6 meters per second, per degree centigrade. Because of this, each
HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ is equipped with an internal temperature sensor which allows the sensor to apply a compensation
for speed of sound changes.
The self heating (15mW at 5V, or 8mW at 3.3V) will change the temperature of the sensor by about 1 degree C. The
amount of self heating is dependent upon user mounting.
Most importantly, the actual air temperature of the path between the sensor and the target may not match the temperature
measured at the sensor electronics. Sensors mounted in vertical applications, or applications where the environmental
temperature gradient is severe, may experience a large temperature measurement error which will effect the sensor
accuracy. For example, buildings with a height of 2-meters can have floor to ceiling temperature variations of 5°C or
more. Because of these temperature effects, users desiring the highest accuracy output are encouraged to use a properly
mounted external temperature sensor or to manually account for this measurement error.
HR-MaxTemp
®
External Temperature Sensor
Although the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ
has an internal temperature sensor; for best accuracy, users are encouraged to use the
optional external temperature sensor. On power-up the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ will automatically detect an attached
HR-MaxTemp temperature sensor and begin to apply temperature compensation using the external temperature sensor.
The external temperature sensor allows for the most accurate temperature compensation, by eliminating sensor
self-heating from the sensor electronics, and by allowing the user to place the temperature sensor closer to the center of
the acoustic ranging path.
For best results users are encouraged to connect the temperature sensor midway between the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ and
the expected target distance.
MaxBotix
®
Inc.
Copyright 2005 - 2014 MaxBotix Incorporated
Patent 7,679,996
MaxBotix Inc., products are engineered and assembled in the USA
Page 4
Web:
www.maxbotix.com
PD11721k
HRLV-MaxSonar
®
- EZ
™
Series
Voltage vs Temperature
The graph below shows minimum operating voltage of the sensor verses temperature.
MaxBotix
®
Inc.
Copyright 2005 - 2014 MaxBotix Incorporated
Patent 7,679,996
MaxBotix Inc., products are engineered and assembled in the USA
Page 5
Web:
www.maxbotix.com
PD11721k