1128 User Guide

Getting Started

Checking the Contents

You should have received: A sonar sensor A sensor cable		In order to test your new Phidget you will also need: A PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 or a PhidgetTextLCD A USB cable A soldering iron and solder A piece of wire (optional)

Soldering the Sensor Cable

Solder one end of the sensor cable to the Sonar Sensor. The black wire is soldered to GND, the red wire to +5 and the white wire to AN. Optionally a fourth wire can be soldered to RX in order to turn the sensor on and off from your computer.

Connecting the Pieces

Connect the Sonar Sensor to the Analog Input 7 on the PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 using the sensor cable. If you are using the 4th wire connect it to a digital output port. Connect the PhidgetInterfaceKit to your PC using the USB cable.

Testing Using Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7

Make sure you have the current version of the Phidget library installed on your PC. If you don't, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Quick Downloads section on the Windows page
2. Download and run the Phidget21 Installer (32-bit, or 64-bit, depending on your system)
3. You should see the icon on the right hand corner of the Task Bar.

Running Phidgets Sample Program

Double clicking on the icon loads the Phidget Control Panel; we will use this program to ensure that your new Phidget works properly.

The source code for the InterfaceKit-full sample program can be found in the quick downloads section on the C# Language Page. If you'd like to see examples in other languages, you can visit our Languages page.

Updating Device Firmware

If an entry in this list is red, it means the firmware for that device is out of date. Double click on the entry to be given the option of updating the firmware. If you choose not to update the firmware, you can still run the example for that device after refusing.

If you are using a 3-wire connection 1. Double Click on Phidget InterfaceKit 8/8/8 in the Phidget Control Panel to bring up InterfaceKit-full and check that the box labelled Attached contains the word True. 2. Make sure that the Ratiometric box is Ticked. 3. Move the Sonar Sensor around and point at different objects. The distance is given in the Analog In box. 4. You can adjust the input sensitivity by moving the slider pointer. 5. Click on the Sensors button to bring up the Advanced Sensor Form.
If you are using a 4-wire connection Double Click on Phidget InterfaceKit 8/8/8 in the Phidget Control Panel to bring up InterfaceKit-full and check that the box labelled Attached contains the word True. Make sure that the Ratiometric box is Ticked. Activate the Sonar Sensor, by clicking in the Digital Out box. A tick mark will appear and the Sonar Sensor is on. To turn the sensor off, click on the Digital box again. The tick mark disappears and the sensor is off. The bottom row shows the status of the request, while the top row displays the status of the digital output as reported by the 1128. Move the Sonar Sensor around and point at different objects. The distance is given in the Analog In box. You can adjust the input sensitivity by moving the slider pointer. Click on the Sensors button to bring up the Advanced Sensor Form.
In the Sensor 7 box, select the 1116 - Sonar Sensor from the drop down menu. The distance of the object from the sensor is shown here. Formula used to convert the analog input SensorValue into distance.

Testing Using Mac OS X

1. Go to the Quick Downloads section on the Mac OS X page
2. Download and run the Phidget OS X Installer
3. Click on System Preferences >> Phidgets (under Other) to activate the Preference Pane
4. Make sure that the is properly attached.
5. Double Click on in the Phidget Preference Pane to bring up the Sample program. This program will function in a similar way as the Windows version.

Using Linux

For a step-by-step guide on getting Phidgets running on Linux, check the Linux page.

Technical Details

The Sonar Sensor is manufactured by Maxbotix.com. We have added a sensor cable and instructions on soldering the cable to the sensor. The Sonar Sensor is Ratiometric. Make sure that the ratiometric property is set to TRUE when programming the sensor. Each time after the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is powered up, it will calibrate during its first read cycle. The sensor uses this stored information to range a close object. It is important that objects not be close to the sensor during this calibration cycle. The best sensitivity is obtained when it is clear for fourteen inches, but good results are common when clear for at least seven inches. If an object is too close during the calibration cycle, the sensor may then ignore objects at that distance. The LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ does not use the calibration data to temperature compensate for range, but instead to compensate for the sensor ringdown pattern. If the temperature, humidity, or applied voltage changes during operation, the sensor may require recalibration to reacquire the ringdown pattern. Unless recalibrated, if the temperature increases, the sensor is more likely to have false close readings. If the temperature decreases, the sensor is more likely to have reduced upclose sensitivity. To recalibrate the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™, cycle power. For more complete specifications on the MaxSonar-EZ1, please visit www.maxbotix.com

Formulas

The formula to translate SensorValue to Distance is:

$Distance(cm)=SensorValue*1.296$

Phidget Cable

The Phidget Cable is a 3-pin, 0.100 inch pitch locking connector. Pictured here is a plug with the connections labelled. The connectors are commonly available - refer to the Analog Input Primer for manufacturer part numbers.