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Ultrasonic Water Level Sensor design

MakJ

Jul 29, 2017
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Jul 29, 2017
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Hi everyone,

I want to custom design an ultrasonic water level sensor using a combination of sparkfun board:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13959

and integrated Transducer (Rx/Tx) in sealed package sourced from jaycar:
https://www.jaycar.com.au/ultrasonic-transducer-transmitter-receiver/p/AU5550

The measurement range (one way) is upto 6m max.
An integrated sealed transducer best suit the requirement as the sensor might get wet during flooding or overflow conditions.

1. I reversed the schematic for sparkfun board (attached). Has someone done the same and verify if I got the connections right?

2. For sealed transducer at an extended range than rated on board, I am thinking of adding 9V driven amplifier stage. Should the higher voltage suffice to operate the sealed unit or do I really need to purchase MOSFET drivers (like TC4420)? I will have to tristate the bus eventually when receiving from same sensor.

3. How can I test if the receiver stage of sparkfun board work with integrated transducers RX circuits?

What I really want is to be able to run a sealed transducer with a simple send/receive circuit using the sparkfun board.

Please guide.
 

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kellys_eye

Jun 25, 2010
6,514
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You will need matched transmit/receive sensors to detect range.

Can you get the datasheet for the individual transducers?
 

Alec_t

Jul 7, 2015
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Yes. Perfectly possible for a receiving transducer and if 'tx' is interpreted as 'having been transmitted'. If, on the other hand, you are referring to the emitted acoustic signal, then perhaps a 'bat detector' could be used to monitor that.
 

kellys_eye

Jun 25, 2010
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You can either 'up' the transmit power or increase the sensitivity of the receiver.

But since the linked-to devices have a working range of up to 6m, you're looking at a rather large tank if you can't measure water content at that range even with the closed-top version fitted. In lieu of the specific data sheets, best you actually trial the closed-top version in place of the open before committing to adapting circuitry that may not be necessary.
 
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