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TDC1000-TDC7200EVM: Delopment guidance

Part Number: TDC1000-TDC7200EVM

Hi 

I am planning to develop water flow meter using TDC1000/7200 to collect some test data. Could you please advise what is the best way to develop this. I am debating between the following options;

  • TDC1000-TDC7200EVM board and buy two piezoelectric transducers
    • The design guide explains the level measurement. What is needed to adapt this to flow meter applications? Only software configuration change or something else?
  • Buy individual parts (TDC1000, TDC7200, microcontroller, Display,  etc..) and use breadboard. I need to get the SOIC to DIP adaptor
  • Buy individual parts and get the PCB made from expressPCB. Assemble and test

thanks

  • Hi Sanjay,

    Because you are in the testing phase of your project, I would recommend using the TDC1000-TDC7200EVM. The EVM has the advantage of a GUI to assist your testing, which includes flow-metering capabilities. All you have to do is check a box to enable flow-metering in the GUI. If you have piping already you may wish to buy two transducers to test your custom application, but if not Audiowell International makes an off-the-shelf ultrasonic heat/water meter. You may also find this flow-metering application note helpful.

    Regards,

  • Hi Sanjay,

    The TDC1000-TDC7200EVM is the quickest way to get started with the TDC1000 evaluation. There is a large amount of helpful information that can get you up and running in the FAQ on the side of the page. Here is a link: e2e.ti.com/.../3611.everything-you-need-to-know-for-ultrasonic-tof-liquid-coupled-collateral-tools-designs-faq

    The FAQ includes links to the available application notes that will aid your understanding of flow metering using the TDC1000 and help in the design process for your system.

    Regards,
  • Hi Scott, Kristin

    Thanks for your prompt responses. I will go ahead and order the TDC-1000 TDC7200 evaluation board. 

    Some more questions:

    - For water flow measurement can I mount the transducers on top of the pipe? Or I need to use something like audiowell test pipe in which the transducers are exposed to fluid.

    - Can I use this to measure flow in other fluids like IPA, acids, bases? For these applications the transducers will have to be mounted on the pipe (except for IPA which is not corrosive)

    - How to I interface this board to a wireless protocol (e.g. ZigBee, Z-wave, LE Bluetooth, RF etc..)?

    regards

    Sanjay

  • Hi Sanjay,

    It is technically possible to mount the transducers to the outside of the pipe, but it is a tricky process. You can buy enclosures that will simplify the mounting process, but the challenge will be receiving a return signal through the metal. You will likely need to stimulate the transducers with a higher voltage than the 6V maximum output of the TDC1000. It will be significantly easier to get your testing started if you use something similar to the Audiowell test pipe.

    If you can successfully mount the transducers outside the pipe, you should be able to measure the flow of any liquid, regardless of its corrosive properties. If the transducers are within the pipe you will be limited to measuring the flow-rate of liquids that will not damage the transducers.

    All of the pins on the MSP430 are broken out on the TDC1000-TDC7200 EVM, and several of the GPIO pins can be used for I2C or SPI communication. Some of these should be suitable for interfacing to a wireless communication chip. The schematic detailing the pinout and connections to the MSP430 can be found on page 36 of the TDC1000-TDC7200 User's Guide

    Regards,

  • Hello Kristin,

    I am also interested in making/purchasing the clamp-on type of flow meter. Can you suggest me where to start making or buying the outer casing for the transducers.

    Regards,

    Prudhvi Sagar

  • Hi Prudhvi,

    We don't currently have any recommendations for clamp-on transducer casings. Typically, the products that are available online for this application already include a system for TOF calculations, not just the transducer casing.

    Regards,

  • Hi Kristin

    Do you think a an instrument amplifier like INA126P will be able to amplify the TDC1000 output voltage to drive the high power transducers?

    thanks, regards

    Sanjay 

  • Hi Sanjay,

    You can use any method you like to amplify the TDC1000's output voltage, though you will likely need to do some testing to find the optimal voltage. The optimal voltage will vary greatly depending on the transducers you use. For this application I'd recommend using large transducers. You may want to contact the transducer supplier to determine the maximum voltage that the transducers are rated for. If you have an SPL meter, you may also want to do some testing to make sure that increasing the voltage across the transducer actually increases the sound pressure level. In general, using external transducers for flow-metering will require a lot of testing to set up a working system.

    Regards,