|
|
| Very low price
The lowest power
2.5V to 5.5V operation
Low noise chaining
Superior beam shape
Stable range reading
No central blind spot
The smallest PCB
Has mounting holes
Detect objects 0-in. to 254-in. (6.45-meters)
Range objects 6-in. to 254-in. (6.45 meters)
Very easy to use
Reports range directly
Serial (0-Vcc) Out
Analog Voltage Out
Pulse Width Out
42KHz ultrasonic ping
Free run operation or Triggered operation
Worldwide patents pending
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The MaxSonar® sensors are in a feature article in June 2008 Servo Magazine
June 2008- In the past three years, a few articles have been written about our sensors, but the latest one by Fred Eady, is the most detailed article to date. We first learned about this article after the June 2008 Servo Magazine arrived in our mailbox. This article takes up almost ten percent of the June 2008 Servo Magazine and discusses the MaxSonar sensor line. Fred talks about the differences between each of the sensor's beam width, how to use each user interface, and the many features and benefits to using the MaxSonar sensors.
We contacted Servo Magazine and they generously provided links to the article to pass on to our customers. The article is large, so if you click to download, please allow time for the download. Servo Magazine's article "Building A Sonar System" (10.7MB) http://www.servomagazine.com/media-files/898/Building_a_Sonar_System.pdf And here is the link to the MaxBotix driver software referenced in the article. http://www.servomagazine.com/media-files/898/maxbotix_driver.c MaxBotix Inc., has experienced amazing growth over the last three years and we thank you for continued interest in our products.
MaxBotix® Inc., Expands MaxSonar Product Line
July 17, 2007 Click the link for the pdf printable version of the press release:New Product Press Release
Users of ultrasonic rangefinders have found that the beam widths of low cost ultrasonic sensors do not always match their application. Wider beam width (and more sensitivity) is better suited for obstacle detection, people detection, collision avoidance, detecting small objects, and more robust detection in the central beam area. Narrower beam width (and less sensitivity) is useful for clutter rejection, high acoustic noise environments, directional ranging, room mapping, or using an ultrasonic sensor to locate an opening such as a door. Some users require very long long detection and ranging, while others only care about performance only out to one meter. In addition, users of ultrasonic sensors, even sensors that have a narrow beam width, still desire detection of small objects within the central beam, stable range measurements (even when ranging moving objects), small size, low power, and the sensor must be easy to use. Both narrow or wide beam sensors can be useful for all of the mentioned uses but in general a specific beamwidth will perform better, than another, for a given user application.
The beam width of the LV-MaxSonar® sensor line up is factory calibrated and precisely controlled. This allows the precision beam angles that users of the EZ1™ have come to depend on. The beam width of the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ balances robust people detection ability with a narrow beam width. This compromise does not fit all users as some users have reported that, for their application, they desire either a wider or narrower beam. To address this, MaxBotix®Inc., has added four additional ultrasonic rangefinders to the LV-MaxSonar® sensor lineup, each calibrated to a specific beam width. This allows users to select the sensor that provides the beam width of choice. Beam plots for each sensor type are shown on a
one-foot grid background. Detection distance for 5V operation is shown in black lines, and distance for 3.3V operation is shown with red dots. The sensor beam width is widest for the EZ0™ where it is well suited to users desiring a high sensitivity or a wide beam width. Each sensor, the EZ1™, EZ2™, EZ3™ and EZ4™ is progressively narrower. For example, the EZ4™provides users with a narrow beam width for much better clutter or acoustic noise rejection. The MaxSonar® ultrasonic rangefinders operate over the voltage range of 2.5V to 5.5V (2mA typical), provide three simultaneous user outputs (analog voltage, pulse width, and serial), fill a volume less than one cubic inch, and weigh only 4.3 grams. Sells for $29.95. RoHS compliant.
 MaxBotix®Inc., would like to also introduce the MaxSonar®-UT, the ultrasonic transducer used in the the MaxSonar®product line. The MaxSonar®-UT sells for $5.95. RoHS compliant.
New and Improved Product Announcement, the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™
January 2007
Datasheet for the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is available here: LV-MaxSonar-EZ1-Datasheet.pdf
MaxBotix® Inc., has released the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™, a new and improved evolution of the original *MaxSonar®-EZ1™. The LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ operates over the 2.5V to 5.5V voltage range, yet includes all the best features of the popular original MaxSonar®-EZ1™. Operating over the much lower voltage range of 2.5V to 5.5V makes the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ directly compatible with the ever-growing 3.3V electronic systems market, and the battery operated sensors market, yet still maintains compatibility with the 5V market. In addition, the performance and reading reliability are as good or better than the original MaxSonar®-EZ1™. And part to part variability has also been reduced through improved testing and calibration. Current users of the original MaxSonar-EZ1 at 5V, will likely notice no difference in performance, but those that do notice a difference, may notice the improved detection of small or soft objects within the first one to two meters.
MaxBotix® Inc.
On July 1st 2006, Maxbotix® Technologies has become MaxBotix® Inc. This changes the legal status of the company and supports the continuing growth of MaxBotix® Inc.
MaxBotix® Inc. Acquires Wielen Electronics
On July 1st 2006 , to further position itself for growth MaxBotix® Inc., acquired Wielen Electronics. Wielen Electronics, previously a small contract electronics company, setup to handle light electronics assembly and shipping operations, is now part of MaxBotix® Inc. Bringing these operations into MaxBotix® Inc., allows control of the continuing growth of these important operations.
New Product Announcement
December 2005
Datasheet for the original MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is available here: MaxSonar-EZ1-Datasheet.pdf
Maxbotix® is pleased to announce the MaxSonar®-EZ1™ high-performance ultrasonic range finder. The sensor is a completely new design, yielding many improvements over traditional ultrasonic range finders.
The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ offers very short to long-range detection and ranging, in an incredibly small package, with ultra low power consumption. The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ detects objects from 0-inches, even objects pressing against the front sensor face, to 254-inches (6.45 meters), and provides sonar range information from 6-inches to 254 inches, with 1-inch resolution. Objects between 0-inches and 6-inches range as 6-inches.
Traditional dual-sensor piezoelectric ultrasonic range-finders have many subtle peculiarities. These include the inability to detect very close objects, a central up-close blind spot between the transducers, and very wide-angle beams (some more than 90 degrees!). In addition, if a piezoelectric sensor has a narrow beam, it will, in general, have much shorter detection zones, especially for small objects.
The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ overcomes these problems and more by utilizing a single 42KHz ultrasonic transducer coupled with a continuously variable high gain amplifier. The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is half the size of competing sensors, while the 2mA nominal current draw is the lowest of any range sensor.
The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is very easy to use. It has holes for easy mounting, and provides the range directly, using three user interfaces. The pulse width output is similar to other low cost ultrasonic range finders. The analog voltage output provides 10mV per inch output and always holds the latest range reading. In addition, after each range event the digital output sends asynchronous serial data in an RS232 format, except voltages are 0-5V.
Priced at $29.95 (MSRP), the MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is a very low cost sonar sensor. For additional information please check out www.maxbotix.com, or email Bob Gross at bob@maxbotix.com. Distributors welcome. Patent pending.
For more information please...
download the Datasheets:Downloads Questions or comments...
please email us at info@maxbotix.comMaxBotix® Inc.
4613 County Road 8
Brainerd, MN, 56401
Phone: 1-218-764-2489
Fax: 1-218-764-2194
The names MaxBotix, MaxSonar, EZ0, EZ1, EZ2, EZ3 and EZ4 are
trademarks of MaxBotix Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein
are the property of their respective company.
|
|
|
