The world is made a better and more convenient place because of so many things including technology. Humans have made several technological advancements that have in one way or the other made living more enjoyable. Sensory tech is one of the many technologies that fall under this category.
Although this technology doesn’t make up a product by itself, it is often a very vital part of the entire product that contains it. Without these sensors, most of these products won’t perform optimally.
However, because they are simply a part of the overall product, a lot of people don’t know things about them. However, when you consider how impactful ultrasonic sensors are in our lives, we think it’s only natural to want to appreciate and understand this technology.
Ultrasonic products are sometimes based on electrostatic (the study of static electricity) technology. Click here to learn more about electrostatics. In this article, we will explain some important things concerning ultrasonic products that use electrostatic technology.
So, if you’d love to learn more about this technology and what it offers, then you have to read this article to the end. The knowledge shared will also help you know how to properly utilize it whenever the need to comes up.
The Technological Aspect of Ultrasonic Products
Generally, the concept behind sensors is a device (irrespective of its size) that is able to adequately calculate distance in record time. The device’s ability to carry this out can help in several ways based on its application.
However, they perform based on the type of technology that is being used. When it comes to ultrasonic products, you’d have an electronic device that doesn’t need contact to work. Hence, these products are mostly no-contact sensory products.
Because of this function (not requiring contact), these sensors are often preferred when calculating the distance and velocity of objects.
Moving on, the word “ultrasonic” simply implies high-frequency sounds. That this word is used in relation to this technology isn’t a coincidence but rather because of the unique way these products operate.
High-frequency sound is used by ultrasonic products to carry out their main purpose of measuring the distance and velocity of objects. They are able to send out, convert, and then transmit sounds in record time, and this ability makes them ideal for several applications.
Also, the soundwaves produced, worked upon, then transmitted by the product are usually electric signals.
While sound waves are used, detecting them without specific devices isn’t possible. This is because the sound waves typically are in high frequency that can’t be detected by human ears.
Ultrasonic Products Components
As we have said, the ultrasonic sensors are merely a part of the overall product. But these sensors (although the product’s parts themselves) also have their components.
Mostly, the parts of the product and the sensor is based on the type of sensor or product they are as well as their functions.
However, every ultrasonic product usually has two main components. It doesn’t matter what type of sensor or product it is or the functions they perform, these products always have a transmitter and a receiver.
This is because both of these components have very vital roles. For both of them to perform optimally, the frequency, rated voltage, as well as beam angle must be appropriate.
With that being said, let us take a closer look at these components individually.
Transmitter
The transmitter is responsible for the sound waves forth and back movements. If the transmitter doesn’t do its job of sending out the waves forth and back, then the receiver won’t be able to carry out its job. This means that no operation is possible without the transmitter.
Receiver
The receiver function doesn’t start till the transmitter does its job of moving sound waves. The reason for this is that the sound waves and receiver do not make any contact until the waves have gone forth and back between the target object. You can visit SensComp to find other ultrasound sensor components.
Electrostatic Technology Vs Piezoelectric Crystals in Ultrasonic Products
The transmitter plays a very vital role when it comes to the workings of ultrasonic products. But without the right technology, this component wouldn’t perform.
For now, there are two major alternatives for the technology to run these products; piezoelectric crystals and electrostatic technology. Both alternatives have their advantages over the other and each of them eventually converts sound waves into electric signals.
Yet, the latter is often preferable than the former. So, electrostatic technology is what we focus on in this article. This is equally the reason several manufacturers and even clients tend to be more focused on products based on electrostatic technology.
Agreed, piezoelectric crystals offer a lot, this is especially true when it comes to pressure levels and the better output they produce. However, they have a flaw and this is the bandwidth they use.
Piezoelectric crystals’ bandwidth is typically narrow. Therefore, they are often inconvenient and unsuitable, especially for some particular applications. They are also not the best option for static conditions. They work better in cases where the measurement to be done is dynamic.
Their sensitivity to high temperature is also another minus point for them since they mostly won’t work effectively in conditions like this. If they eventually work in this case, calibration would have to be carried out.
All these are some of the major reasons manufacturers and clients alike would rather go with electrostatic technology than put themselves through all that stress.
The major advantage electrostatic technology has over piezoelectric crystals is its wider bandwidth. Plus, even with its wider bandwidth, it still has good pressure levels output.
Conclusion
We have several ultrasonic products around us and they make our lives easier. But these products are typically based on technologies. One of such technologies happens to be electrostatic technology. When compared to the other main option (piezoelectric crystals), this technology offers a whole lot more. In this article, we have discussed some of its benefits and other things like the components of these products.
