In our daily work, we`re often asked about how to choose a suitable distance measure device, in which ultrasonic and laser measurement is most 2 used for comparison. In today`s article, let`s have some brief comparison between the 2 ones,hoping it will help you know more and find the suitable measuring device.
Ultrasonic distance measurement:
Working principle: The ultrasonic ranging sensor measures based on the known propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in the air and the characteristics of the ultrasonic waves reflected back when encountering obstacles. The ultrasonic transmitter emits ultrasonic waves in a certain direction and starts timing at the same time. The ultrasonic waves propagate in the air and return immediately when they encounter obstacles on the way. When the ultrasonic receiver receives the reflected waves, they immediately interrupt and stop timing, and then according to the time difference between the launch and reception of the actual distance from the launch point to the obstacle is calculated
Ultrasonic distance measurement measures usually within 10 meters, but some manufacturers can achieve tens of meters or even hundreds of meters. Ultrasonic ranging has the following characteristics: 1. The higher the frequency, the higher the accuracy, but the closer the detection distance (air attenuation increases); 2. The higher the output power, the higher the sensitivity, the longer the detection distance (although It`s nonsense, but I have to write it); 3. Usually the detection angle is small, and the ranging range is slightly longer; 4. The combined impact of the above factors may not be greater than the impact of the measured object: for example, a rigid The surface (such as a steel plate) and an iron wire, or covering the surface of the steel plate with sound-absorbing foam, or changing the angle between the steel plate and the normal line of the probe from vertical to 45 degrees, etc., these factors have the greatest impact.
The advantage of ultrasonic ranging is that it is relatively resistant to dirt. Even if there is dust on the sensor, it can be measured as long as it is not blocked. It can be used in poor environments, so most reversing radars use ultrasonic.
Disadvantages of ultrasonic ranging: the emission angle is large, and the distance of high-frequency ultrasonic waves proximity is only 7-8°. The angle for low-frequency long-distance measurement is 20-30 degrees. In most cases, the area of the object to be measured needs to be no less than 0.5 square meters.Lower accuracy and higher cost.
Laser distance measurement:
Working principle: It is a sensor that uses laser to accurately determine the distance to a target. The sensor shoots a very thin beam of laser light at the target, the photoelectric element receives the laser beam reflected from the target, and the timer determines the time from the launch to the reception of the laser beam and calculates the distance from the observer to the target.
Advantages of laser ranging: It has the longest ranging distance among ultrasonic , infrared distance measure and laser distance measurement. The farthest distance can reach dozens of kilometers, and the shortest distance can reach dozen of meters. Minimum launch angle. High accuracy.
Disadvantages of laser ranging: susceptible to interference from smoke, dust, and raindrops. And human safety needs to be paid attention to, and the optical system must be kept clean, otherwise it will affect the measurement.
It's undeniable that laser distance module are currently the most widely used ranging sensors, and the laser ranging sensors can be classified into two types: handheld ranging sensors by phase-shift theory and telescope ranging sensors by pulse theory.
Brief differences in performance between ultrasonic and laser ranging sensors:
1)Accuracy:The measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic rangefinder is centimeter-level, and the measurement accuracy of the Laser Ranging Sensor is millimeter-level, The Laser Ranging Module independently design and manufactured by Chengdu Meskernel Integrated Technology Co, Ltd, whose accuracy can be±1mm.
2)Error probability: Ultrasonic ranging sensors are easy to report errors. The main reason is that the ultrasonic ranging sensor emits sound waves and has fan-shaped emission characteristics of sound waves. Therefore, when there are many obstacles where the sound waves pass, there will be more sound waves reflected back and more interference. If there are too many, it is easy to report errors; and the laser ranging sensor emits a very small laser beam and then comes back, so as long as the laser beam can pass through, there is almost no interference. Meskernel adopts high transitive lens, the penetration rate can reach 90%.
3) Measuring range: The measuring range of ultrasonic rangefinders is usually within 80 meters, while the measuring range of handheld laser ranging sensors can be up to 200 meters. and the measuring range of laser ranging telescopes is up to hundreds of kilometers. , and even further. Meskernel has more than 20 years experience in ODM service that help customer develop all kinds of laser measure device, including laser measure tape, laser distance meter and laser levers, as long as laser distance measure is needed, Meskernel can help make the idea into product.
4)Price: The price of ultrasonic range finder/range sensor ranges from tens to hundreds of USD, and the price of range finder/range sensor ranges from hundreds to thousands or tens of thousands of USD, depending on the accuracy and distance. And there is a big difference. Meskernel`s vision is to make every effort to produce the price competitive world-renowned brand in the laser distance measure filed.
