A look at our new product
MaxBotix Inc. has released the HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ for sale to the public. As we continue to finalize the design and work through our initial production run we wanted to give our customers a look into some of our new product features. The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensor line features 1 mm resolution, target size compensation for improved accuracy, simultaneous automatic multi-sensor operation, superior rejection of outside noise sources, internal temperature compensation, optional external temperature compensation, a 5-meter range, and adds TTL serial output to the RS232, pulse width, and analog voltage outputs that are already standard on other MaxSonar products.
The 1 mm resolution is so stable, that when measuring typical objects at a distance of one meter, the readings do not change by more than 1 mm. The best stability is available with the TTL and RS232 serial outputs with a typical error of +/- 0.1% at one meter. The pulse width has a stability of +/-0.2%, while the rail to rail analog voltage output has a resolution of 5mm.
Most low-cost ultrasonic rangefinders will report the range to smaller size targets as farther than the actual distance. In addition, they will also report the range to larger size targets as closer than the actual distance. The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensor line correctly compensates for target size differences. This means that, if an object is large enough to be detected, the sensor will report the same distance regardless of target size.
Indoor high performance ultrasonic precision rangefinders -
HRLV-MaxSonar®-EZ™ Sensor Line
High Performance Ultrasonic Rangefinder - MB1003 HRLV-MaxSonar®-EZ0™. The HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ0 has the widest and most sensitive beam pattern of any unit from HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ sensor line. This makes the HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ0 an excellent choice for use where high sensitivity, wide beam, or people detection is desired. The HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ0 has the widest and most sensitive beam pattern in the HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ sensor line. An excellent low-cost choice for use where high sensitivity, wide beam, or people detection is desired. Price each $37.95.
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High Performance Ultrasonic Rangefinder - MB1013 HRLV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™. The HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ1 is a great choice for use where sensitivity is needed along with side object rejection. The HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ1 is a good, low-cost starting place for a customer not sure of which HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ sensor to use. The HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ1 is our an indoor ultrasonic high-resolution sensor. The HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ1 is a great choice for use where sensitivity is needed along with side object rejection.
Price each $34.95.
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High Performance Ultrasonic Rangefinder - MB1023 HRLV-MaxSonar®-EZ2™. The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ2 is a good compromise between sensitivity and side object rejection. The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ2 is an excellent choice for applications that require slightly less side object detection and sensitivity than the MB1013 HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ1. Price each $34.95.
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High Performance Ultrasonic Rangefinder - MB1033 HRLV-MaxSonar®-EZ3™. The HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ3 is a narrow beam sensor with good side object rejection. The HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ3 has slightly wider beam width than the MB1043 HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ4 which makes it a good choice for when the HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ4 does not have enough sensitivity for the application. Price each $34.95.
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High Performance Ultrasonic Rangefinder - MB1003 HRLV-MaxSonar®-EZ4™. The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ4 is the narrowest beam width sensor that is also the least sensitive to side objects offered in the HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ sensor line. The HRLV‑MaxSonar‑EZ4 is an excellent choice when only larger objects need to be detected. Price each $34.95.
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Other ultrasonic rangefinders will fail when used with other ultrasonic sensors nearby. By comparison, the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensors can be used with other sensors in close proximity. Other nearby ultrasonic sensors will have little to no effect on the reported range of the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensors. The noise filtering of the HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ is now even better than the previous MaxSonar products and will work in the presence of many more noise sources and outside noise sources with higher amplitudes. Most range readings are accurately reported, but if the range readings are affected, the effect is typically less than 2 cm.
The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ sensor allows for accurate temperature compensation. The speed of sound changes up to 0.6% per degree centigrade. To compensate for this effect the sensor must monitor the changes to air temperature while ignoring self-heating. Self-heating is an issue with internal temperature sensors, where the temperature increase is typically 2 to 5 degrees centigrade. If ignored, this will cause a drift of the reported range of up to 3%. Alternatively, when using an external temperature sensor, it will not be affected by self-heating of the main sensor electronics. The HR-MaxTemp is an external temperature sensor that can be easily connected to an HRLV-MaxSonar sensor. Once connected, the HRLV-MaxSonar sensor will auto-detect the presence of the external temperature sensor, and it will accurately compensate for temperature effects. The HR-MaxTemp is available as an option as a non-assembled kit for $4.95 (MSRP).
The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ comes with the easy to use outputs and standard pin configuration of the previous MaxSonar products. In addition to the three standard sensor outputs of RS232 serial, Analog Voltage, and Pulse Width, there is now a user-selectable TTL serial output.
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 HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ offers a controlled beam that is designed to reject small objects (clutter) outside of the central beam area and provides a long-range sensitivity without detecting frivolous or unwanted targets. The HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ is 100% factory calibrated and tested before it is bagged and shipped. This ensures proper sensor operation and consistent performance from sensor to sensor.
The final assembly is a small unit less than 1 cubic inch, weighs 4.3 grams, and operates from 3V to 5V.
