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Original question:

[FAQ] Ultrasonic Sensors

TDC1000-C2000EVM: Can the TDC1000 transmit continuous? Ultrasonic Transducer/Driver up to 2MHz for acoustic standing waves in liquids

Chris Comparey
Prodigy 30 points
Part Number: TDC1000-C2000EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TDC1000, , TUSS4470, MSP430FR6043

Hello,

I am working on a project where we are trying to use multiple ultrasonic transducers to achieve acoustic standing wave patterns in liquids.
The goal is to use multiple transducers with variable frequencies to create standing wave grid pattern in a medium.
Due to the size of desired standing wave grid pattern the transducers should be able to produce a variable frequency up too at least 2MHz.

From my minimal research so far what I think best suits my application (because of the required high frequency and control of two transducers) is the TDC1000 chip, and for my first prototype I would use the TDC1000-C2000EVM.

I personally do not have much experience with Ultrasonic Sensors/Transducers. What I somewhat understand is that the transducer and sensor is actually the same thing, it just depends how its used.
What I am concerned about is in the description of applications of the TDC1000 is that it talks all about sensing as an application. The chip is designed to transmit frequencies in pulses and then receive those frequencies for depth or flow measurement. In my application I actually just want to transmit, sensing is useful for feedback that my transmitted frequency is working, but more importantly I need to constantly transmit, not in pulses. 

From the continuous transmit requirement I see that a chip like the TUSS4470 is more applicable, the problem being that it only can achieve 1MHz.

Did I miss something in the datasheet of the TDC1000 which would allow continuous transmitting? If not can you suggest me a chip or a design which provides continuous transmit up to 2MHz?

Thanks in advance,

Chris



  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 22695 points

    Hello Chris,

    Thanks for posting to the sensing forum!

    Our ultrasonic devices are geared towards time of flight applications, used to transmit the ultrasonic pulses, receive the ultrasonic echo, and condition the returned signal to extract the ToF of the ultrasonic pulse. This however does not indicate  that you have to use the device in this way for example you can remove the components that used for receiving the signal if you only need to transmit.

    What you understood is correct the same transducer is the sensor itself in charge of transmitting the signal and receiving it as well, these is a monostatic implementation. When you use two transducers one to transmit and one to receive this is referred to as a bistatic topology. If you are continuously transmitting then you wouldn't be able to obtain much feedback from the transducers themselves since the transducers are saturated during the burst or transmission of ultrasonic pulses.

    You are correct TUSS4470 is only capable of up to 1MHz frequencies, while TDC1000 is able to handle your 2MHz requirement and is able to go up to 5MHz. Keep in mind that TDC1000 is only capable of generating pulses up to 5V while TUSS4470 is able to go significantly higher up to 40V using the internal H-bridge. I am not sure what voltage is required by your transducers but this is also something you need to keep in mind to drive them properly.

    TUSS4470 is more suitable for the continuous transmission with a register setting that allows you to continuously burst while TDC1000 can only be configured to transmit 31 pulses at a time, meaning that it is not configurable to continuously burst. The frequency adjustment is also easier to achieve using TUSS4470 since you would need to configure the pattern or frequency on the IO pins, while TDC1000 is dependent on the input clock for the device and the division registers available.

    As far as suggestions or designs on a that can achieve what you need, I currently do not have something that fits your application in my portfolio. There is also a solution from MSP430 that might be worth looking into, the MSP430FR6043. I am not sure what the frequency range of this device is or if its capable of continuously bursting. Unfortunately, I do not service this part, so if you have any questions feel free to make a post regarding this part in specific to get the right engineer assigned to it.

    Here is a link to a series of precision labs videos we have made on ultrasonic sensing: https://training.ti.com/ultrasonic-sensing

    I hope this helped you understand ultrasonic a bit better and feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

    Best,

    Isaac