Increasing the sensitivity of an ultrasonic sensor

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
#1

Is it possible to increase the sensitivity of an ultrasonic sensor? Like this one http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8504?

I am making a circuit with a friend and we need extremely high precision position measurement. We are using an electromagnet and positioning a metallic object below it. We don't want to pulse the current on and off, but it seems like this might be necessary. I was thinking of using a digital potentiometer, but I haven't been able to find one in a good range. Anything from 0 - 1000 ohms would be what we want, but I haven't found a pot with such a range. Ideally the voltage would be kept constant, and current could be adjusted. We might have to try to pulse it, but finer control would be had with variable current. I assume it's possible as power supplies can supply C @ CV.

#2

i dont know about the ultrasonic sensor, but why not use pulse width modulation to control the current?

#3

We will, but we need to know where exactly the item is, as the PWM duty will be dependent on its position.

#4

I am having the same issue, with the ping sensor. How does one get a more precise measurement?

#5

I think we are going to scrap the US and use an IR sensor, I believe they might be slightly more precise in measurement, except they have a logarithmic voltage return :(.

#6