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PGA460: board to run ultrasonic transducer

Part Number: PGA460

Hi,

I would like to run a specific ultrasonic transducer with a simple driving board so that I can measure distances. Texas Instrument used to have something similiar to what I would need (MSP430 SLAA136A).

Is there any board that would allow me to plug in the sensor and then run the sensor without designing an  own transducer circuit?

Thanks,

Paul

  • Paul,

    Yes, TI currently offers the fully integrated PGA460 Ultrasonic Signal Processor and Transducer Driver (www.ti.com/.../pga460) for air-coupled transducer time-of-flight to distance measurements. I recommend that you purchase the PGA460-Q1 EVM (p/n: PGA460-F5529-BNDL) to evaluate the included transducers or your own transducers. Note, the PGA460 can only support transducers with a resonant frequency between 30k-80kHz or 180k-480kHz.

    What transducer part number are you seeking to evaluate? Do you mind sharing a little more detail about the application. We may have additional collateral to help with your system ramp-up.

    Check out the six part "Ultrasonic Sensing with the PGA460-Q1" (training.ti.com/ultrasonic-sensing-pga460-q1) video series to see how to quickly setup and use the PGA460-Q1 EVM.
  • Hi Akeem,

    Thanks for the reply. I have a 40kHz-Transducer similar to the link (www.aliexpress.com/.../32312190912.html).
    The transducer came with the JSN-SR04T-2.0 board shown in the link. Since the board is made poorly, I want to exchange the JSN-SR04T-2.0 board with another board. 
    Is this possible or do I need to design my own circuit to run the transducer? 
    The goal is to improve the Sensor performance so that people can be detected in a range up to 15 feet.
    Thank you,
    Paul
  • Paul,
    Yes, you can use the 40kHz XDCR from the JSN-SR04T-2.0 on the PGA460-Q1 EVM. The PGA460-Q1 EVM daughter card allows you to remove the pre-installed transducer, and replace it with your own transducer. You do not have to design your own circuit to excite the transducer since the PGA460-Q1 handles the drive and receive stages for you. See the PGA460 Frequently Asked Questions (www.ti.com/.../slaa733.pdf) #4.4.1 for guidance and illustrations on how to use your transducer with the PGA460-Q1 EVM:

    4.4.1 How do I use a different transducer on the transformer driven circuit?
    To use a different transducer on the transformer driven circuit, desolder the Murata MA58MF14-7N from
    the J12 socket. TI also recommends that the tuning capacitor of 1500 pF at C15 and damping resistor of
    2.7 kΩ at R38 be desoldered to enable the transducer to resonate freely and without being unintentionally
    detuned. The new transducer can be populated at J12, or across the alternative transducer socket’s
    positively and negatively marked terminals on the transformer driven half of the daughtercard. If a tuning
    capacitor and damping resistor are required for the new transducer, refer to the PGA460-Q1 Ultrasonic
    Module Hardware and Software Optimization application note for guidance.