What is the difference between ultrasonic and laser ranging sensors?

Principles of ultrasonic and laser range sensor:

     The principle of ultrasonic ranging is that an ultrasonic wave is emitted from an ultrasonic transmitting device. It is based on the time difference when the receiver receives the ultrasonic waves, which is similar to the principle of radar ranging. The ultrasonic transmitter emits ultrasonic waves in a certain direction and starts timing at the same time as the time of transmission. The ultrasonic waves propagate in the air and immediately return when they encounter obstacles on the way. The ultrasonic receiver immediately stops timing when it receives the reflected wave. The ultrasonic ranging sensor is composed of an ultrasonic generating circuit, an ultrasonic receiving and amplifying circuit, and a counting and display circuit.

   In order to study and utilize ultrasonic waves, many ultrasonic generators have been designed and made. Generally speaking, ultrasonic generators can be divided into two categories: one is to generate ultrasonic waves electrically, and the other is to generate ultrasonic waves mechanically. Electrical methods include piezoelectric type, magnetostrictive type and electric type, etc .; mechanical methods include Galton flute, liquid whistle and air whistle. The frequency, power, and sound wave characteristics of the ultrasonic waves they produce are different, so their uses are also different. Currently more commonly used are piezoelectric ultrasonic generators.

    A laser ranging sensor is a sensor that accurately measures the distance of a target using a laser. The laser rangefinder emits a very thin laser beam to the target when it is working. The laser beam reflected by the target is received by the photoelectric element. The timer measures the time from the launch to the reception of the laser beam and calculates the distance from the observer to the target. The laser rangefinder is currently the most widely used rangefinder sensor, and the laser rangefinder can be classified into two types: a handheld laser rangefinder sensor and a telescope laser rangefinder sensor.

Difference in performance between ultrasonic and laser ranging sensors:

    1. Accuracy: The measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic ranging sensor is centimeter level, and the measurement accuracy of the ranging sensor is millimeter level;

    2. Measuring range: The measuring range of the ultrasonic ranging sensor is usually within 80 meters, while the measuring range of the handheld laser ranging sensor can be up to 200 meters. And even farther.

    3. Error reporting probability: The ultrasonic ranging sensor is prone to error, the main reason is that the ultrasonic ranging sensor is a sound wave emission, which has the characteristics of fan-shaped emission of sound waves. Therefore, when there are many obstacles where the sound waves pass, there are more reflected sound waves and the interference is relatively Many, easy to report errors, and the laser ranging sensor is a very small laser beam emitted and then returned, so as long as the beam can pass, there is almost no interference.

    4. Price: The price of ultrasonic ranging sensors ranges from tens of yuan to several hundred yuan, and the prices of ranging sensors range from several hundred yuan to several thousand or tens of thousands of yuan. There are great differences depending on the accuracy and distance.

  Ultrasonic and laser ranging sensors are two widely used tools for measuring distance. The two have advantages in each other. When choosing, you must analyze it according to the actual situation and see which type of sensor is more suitable for use.