Getting started with the Maxbotix sonar sensor – quick start guide

Maxsonar-Ez1 Lrg-1
The MaxSonar EZ1 provides very short to long-range detection and ranging, in an incredibly small package. It can detect objects from 0-inches to 254-inches (6.45-meters) and provides sonar range information from 6-inches out to 254-inches with 1-inch resolution. (Objects from 0 inches to 6-inches range as 6-inches.) The interface output formats included are pulse width output (PWM), analog voltage output (Vcc/512 volts per inch), and serial digital output (9600 baud). A good sensor for when a Sharp IR distance sensor won’t cut it.

Pt 1997
If you’re a pro cut straight to the data sheet – if not, here’s a quick start guide on using the Maxbotix sonar sensor

Things you’ll need:
An Arduino
A half size breadboard
A piezo buzzer
Wires
MaxSonar sensor

All of these are available in the Adafruit store.

Solder it up!
Pt 2002
Solder 3 wires to the Maxbotix sonar sensor. Ground, power and analog. That’s all we’ll need for this simple test, and for the most part if you’re just using this sensor with an Arduino it’s all you’ll likely use.

Wire it up!
Pt 2001
For this example we’re going to use a half size bread board, some wires and a piezo buzzer with the MaxSonar and Arduino.

Run some code!
The MaxSonar EZ1 outputs analog voltage with a scaling factor of (Vcc/512) per inch. A supply of 5V yields ~9.8mV per inch. On the other hand, the Arduino’s analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has a range of 1024, which means each bit is ~4. 9mV. For that reason, to convert the number returned by the ADC to inches, we have to divide by 2.

// using the maxsonar quick start http://www.adafruit.com
// http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=172

int sonarPin = 0; //pin connected to analog out on maxsonar sensor
int piezoPin = 9; 
int inchesAway; 

void setup() {
  pinMode(piezoPin, OUTPUT);

}

void loop() {
  inchesAway = analogRead(sonarPin) /2;
 
  if (inchesAway < 24) { // if something is 24 inches away then make a 1khz sound
    digitalWrite(piezoPin, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(500);
    digitalWrite(piezoPin, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(500);
  }
}

Xposted to Instructables


Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards

Join Adafruit on Mastodon

Adafruit is on Mastodon, join in! adafruit.com/mastodon

Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.

Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.

Join us every Wednesday night at 8pm ET for Ask an Engineer!

Join over 36,000+ makers on Adafruit’s Discord channels and be part of the community! http://adafru.it/discord

CircuitPython – The easiest way to program microcontrollers – CircuitPython.org


Maker Business — “Packaging” chips in the US

Wearables — Enclosures help fight body humidity in costumes

Electronics — Transformers: More than meets the eye!

Python for Microcontrollers — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: Silicon Labs introduces CircuitPython support, and more! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi

Adafruit IoT Monthly — Guardian Robot, Weather-wise Umbrella Stand, and more!

Microsoft MakeCode — MakeCode Thank You!

EYE on NPI — Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey

New Products – Adafruit Industries – Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers! — #NewProds 7/19/23 Feat. Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 CircuitPython Powered Internet Display!

Get the only spam-free daily newsletter about wearables, running a "maker business", electronic tips and more! Subscribe at AdafruitDaily.com !



2 Comments

  1. hah, I have one of these but never noticed the cross and the jesus-fish printed on the back.

  2. You should link this blog entry from the sensor page on your store if possible. Or, if you did I missed it entirely…

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.