Division of Sensor Technology and Measurement Systems (SMS) Univ.-Prof. Dr.

Christian Kargel Institute for Measurement and Automation Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Open Diploma Thesis:

Laboratory system for ultrasonic measurements of distance and speed
Description: Ultrasonic sensors are used in a large variety of applications such as the measurement of distance and speed, the detection of objects and object situations, object identification, nondestructive testing or medical imaging. Owing to their excellent characteristics, which include high range resolution, high precision and good reproducibility, high mechanical robustness and long-term stability, a large measuring range that is adjustable with simple means, and a relatively low price. For communication and object detection under water (sonar), ultrasonic waves are used almost exclusively due to the large attenuation of electromagnetic waves. Both the basic metrological principles and signal processing methods are very similar for ultrasonic and radar measurement technology. Thus, for example, for many applications of noncontacting distance and speed determination, pulse echo methods are employed. The object distance to be determined is proportional to the roundtrip time of the emitted, reflected and received pulse-shaped wave packet; the object speed is the difference between the transmission and receiving frequencies (Doppler shift). Drawbacks of the simple pulse echo method (low exploitation of transmission power and thus limitation of range, restriction of range resolution and measurement precision due to pulse duration) can be eliminated by applying what is referred to as pulse compression, using transmission pulses with a high timebandwidth product, e.g. frequency-modulated pulses (termed chirps). Activities and objectives: Based on an existing prototype, a modern measuring site will have to be planned and set up which includes the measuring instruments needed to evaluate and quantify possibilities and limits of distance and speed measurements by means of ultrasound as well as important parameters influencing measurement ranges and spatial resolution. This measuring set-up shall be suitable for use e.g. in studies carried out as part of lab classes. For two modes of operation (pulse echo and pulse compression methods), echo signals are to be recorded as a function of the distance, size, number, speed and surface characteristics of different reflectors, employing several commercial ultrasonic transducers varying with respect to their operating principles, resonance frequencies and bandwidths, directional characteristics etc. All parameters of the transmission signal (mean frequency, bandwidth and/or pulse width, pulse shape, amplitude, repetition frequency) should be adjustable by the operator. In order to achieve almost uniform sensitivity throughout the coverage area, echo signals must be amplified by a suitable amplification unit, depending on their roundtrip times and amplitudes. The required signal processing routines may be implemented either with the help of a microprocessor or a PC; system control and visualization shall be realized by means of a GUI (graphical user interface) in Matlab/ LabView. Desirable knowledge and requirements: Ultrasonic sensor technology, experience in electronic circuit design and hardware set-up, programming in LabView or MatLab, basic knowledge of (digital) signal processing. Contact: Dr.-Ing. Heinrich Ruser; heinrich.ruser@unibw.de
excitation transducer objects usable object

echo detection echo analysis