Ultrasonic Sensor Calculator: Distance and Time

This calculator helps you determine distance and time using ultrasonic sensors. It explains the formulas for ultrasonic sensor distance and time calculations.

What is an Ultrasonic Sensor?

The ultrasonic sensor is a transducer that converts electrical energy into sound energy. Ultrasonic waves operate above the normal range of human hearing, with frequencies above 18,000 Hz.

• An ultrasonic sensor consists of two main parts: a transmitter and a receiver.
• The transmitter converts electrical energy into sound waves and emits them.
• The receiver detects the returning echo and converts the sound waves back into electrical energy.
• The sensor measures the returned echo to calculate the distance to an object.

Essentially, the sensor calculates the time it takes for a signal to be transmitted and the echo to be received, then uses this time to determine the distance of the object.

• Because it measures distance, it’s also known as a distance sensor.

Ultrasonic Sensor Calculator - 1: Time Calculation

This calculator uses the distance from the sensor to the object and the speed of sound to compute the round trip time (the total time for the signal to travel to the object and back).

Inputs:

• Distance = 5 cm
• Speed of Sound = 0.034 cm/µs

Output:

• Round Trip Time = 294 µs

Ultrasonic Sensor Calculator - 2: Distance Calculation

This calculator takes the round trip time and the speed of sound as inputs to calculate the distance to the object.

Inputs:

• Speed of Sound = 0.034 cm/µs
• Round trip time = 294 µs

Output:

• Distance of object from sensor = 5 cm

Time Calculation and Distance Calculation Formulas

The following formulas are used for time and distance calculations within the ultrasonic sensor calculator.