Recommended Products
- MB1010 LV-MaxSonar-EZ1
Our most popular indoor ultrasonic rangefinder - MB1060 LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ
5 Pack Sampler
One of each of the LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ ultrasonic rangefinders - MB7954 Shielded Cable
Provide stable power to your sensor - MB1220 XL-MaxSonar-EZ2
Our most recommended indoor ultrasonic sensor - MB7092 XL-MaxSonar-WR
Our most advanced and accurate outdoor ultrasonic sensor - MB1000 LV-MaxSonar-EZ0
Our low cost rangefinder frequently used for people detection - MB1040 LV-MaxSonar-EZ4
Our low cost rangefinder frequently used in large target applications
LV-MaxSonar®-EZ™ Sensor Line
Our original ultrasonic range finding component modules
Component Overview
- 42kHz Ultrasonic sensor measures distance to objects
- RoHS Compliant
- Read from all 3 sensor outputs: Analog Voltage, Serial, Pulse Width
- Virtually no sensor dead zone, objects closer than 6 inches range as 6 inches
- Resolution of 1 inch
- Maximum Range of 254 inches (645 cm)
- Operates from 2.5-5.5V
- Low 2.0mA average current requirement
- 20Hz reading rate
- Small, light weight module
- Designed for easy integration into your project or product
Retail Price Range: $21.95-$29.95
Volume Pricing (25 or more units): Contact MaxBotix Inc.
Selecting a Product
Different applications require different sensors. The LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ product line offers varied sensitivity to allow you to select the best sensor to meet your needs.
The LV-MaxSonar-EZ Sensors At a Glance
People Detection
Wide Beam
High Sensitivity
Best Balance
Large Targets
Narrow Beam
Noise Tolerance
The diagram above shows how each product balances sensitivity and noise tolerance. This does not effect the maximum range, pin outputs, or other operations of the sensor. To view how each sensor will function to different sized targets reference the LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ Beam Patterns.
**Note: our XL‑MaxSonar‑EZ Products have both greater sensitivity
and far greater noise tolerance. View how the XL‑MaxSonar‑EZ products function to a given size target with the XL‑MaxSonar‑EZ Beam Patterns.
For further help in selecting a sensor use our Ultrasonic Sensor Selection Guide. You can also purchase the MB1060 5 Pack Sampler which contains one each of the LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ sensors or MB1061 10 Pack Sampler which contains two each of the LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ sensors.
Easy to Use Ultrasonic Sensors
The original LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ products were the first low cost ultrasonic distance sensors to provide a component module solution that offered easy to use outputs, no sensor dead zone, calibrated beam patterns, stable range readings, low power demands, and a host of other features detailed in the product datasheets.
As a result, our component modules have found a wide acceptance in the robotics community, and have also been integrated into a number of industrial solutions including: proximity sensors for store displays, high speed sensors for vending machines, remote monitoring sensors for parking monitors, and distance sensors used to evaluate people's height.
The Interface
The LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ interface was designed to be very easy and intuitive to use. The interface output formats included are pulse width output, analog voltage output, and asynchronous serial digital output. All interfaces work without user code or complicated setup strings.
The Power Requirements
The LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ functions throughout a 2.5V to 5.5V operational voltage range. This allows for easy integration at either 3.3V or 5V and means that users of low voltage microcontrollers, or those who wish to operate in solar or battery based systems do not have to provide an extra power supply for the sensor.
The LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ sensors have a 2mA average current draw during free ranging operation.
The Controlled Beam Shape
Similar ultrasonic products may have frequent side lobe detection and can even falsely trigger on objects behind or to the sides of the sensor. The LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ offers a controlled beam that is designed to reject small objects (clutter) outside of the central beam area and provides long range sensitivity without detecting frivolous or unwanted targets.
Users are encouraged to pick the product with the sensitivity that best matches their application. In the LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ product line the product with the widest beam is the MB1000. The product with the narrowest beam is the MB1040.
The Calibration
Each LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ is tested for proper operation at our facility and comes with a factory calibrated beam pattern to help ensure consistent operation of the sensor even from part to part.
In addition to this, the LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ automatically calibrates to its environment after power up, before taking the first reading. Because this power up calibration only occurs on power up it is recommended that users power off and then on the sensor whenever the voltage, temperature, or humidity conditions change.
Industrial and UAV users may want to consider upgrading to the XL‑MaxSonar‑EZ Products to take advantage of the real‑time automatic calibration and the added clutter & noise rejection.
Product Documentation
Datasheets
MB1000......................................................... LV-MaxSonar-EZ0-datasheet
MB1010......................................................... LV-MaxSonar-EZ1-datasheet
MB1020......................................................... LV-MaxSonar-EZ2-datasheet
MB1030......................................................... LV-MaxSonar-EZ3-datasheet
MB1040......................................................... LV-MaxSonar-EZ4-datasheet
Application Notes
Ultrasonic Sensor Selection Guide.......................Ultrasonic Sensor Selection Guide
LV Chaining Application Notes............................LV AN Output Commanded Loop
LV Chaining Application Notes............................LV AN Output Constantly Looping
LV Chaining Application Notes............................LV AN Output Simultaneous Operation
Direction and Distance to a Pole ........................Direction and Distance to a Pole
LV-MaxSonar-EZ1 Quick Start Guide...................LV-MaxSonar-EZ1 Quick Start Guide
Custom Solutions
For some of our customers our standard products have not fit the requirements of their particular application. As a result, we have designed and manufactured a number of custom solutions. Some of the product improvements and features have been incorporated directly into our standard products. For other users we have evaluated their specifications and charged a small NRE fee for their custom parts.
Contact MaxBotix Inc. with your application and its requirements and our engineers will work to arrive at a desirable solution.
