Ultrasonic range finders emit beeps of inaudible ultrasonic sound and then wait for echoes to come back. The time taken for an echo is used to calculate the distance to the object.
Many different varieties of ultrasonic sensors are available. They vary by the communication protocols (Serial, USB, I2C, RS232), response time, accuracy, beam width and operating environment.
Best suited to detecting harder objects as the sound is reflected back well. Unaffected by infrared light from the sun these ultrasonic sensors are better suited to use in bright light.
Most of our sensors are more suitable to indoor or protected outdoor use although we do stock some waterproof sensors for tough conditions.
Beam width is used to describe the way the sound wave will spread out from the sensor so that the echo can be returned from objects within an approximate cone shape extending out the front of the sensor.
Brands