what is ultrasonic sensor

An ultrasonic sensor is an electronic device that measures the distance to an object by emitting ultrasonic sound waves and converting the reflected sound into electrical signals. It consists of two main components: a transmitter, which uses a piezoelectric crystal to emit sound, and a receiver. Ultrasonic sensors emit a chirp usually between 23 kHz and 40 kHz, much higher than the typical audible range of human hearing. The sensor determines the distance to a target by measuring time lapses between the sending and receiving of the ultrasonic pulse. Ultrasonic sensors can detect the movement of targets and measure the distance to them in many automated factories and process plants. They can have an on or off digital output for detecting the movement of objects, or an analog output proportional to distance. Ultrasonic sensors are commonly used in applications such as parking assist systems, robotics, and distance-measuring devices. They are a great solution for clear object detection and for liquid level measurement, applications that photoelectrics struggle with because of target translucence. Target color or reflectivity does not affect ultrasonic sensors, which can operate reliably in high-glare environments.