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Very short distance measurement with TDC1000-TDC7200 EVM

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TDC1000

Hello Scott. Thanks for your replay.

I tried what you have recommended but it didn't help. I have reload a firmware for EVM module and now it is working. Now I would like to ask you for an advise.

My application require a distance measurement in a range from 1 to 3 cm. Seeing the distance of 3 cm is not a challenge. But trying to detect distances below 2.5 cm become more difficult because the ringing time of an ultrasonic sensor. My application require a sealed transducer as it will see a fluid and its pressure. Let me brief you about my application. The goal is to measure the distance from the sensor to the inside wall of the pipe. The sensor is mounted on O.D. of a tube of a smaller diameter which will be inserted into the pipe to be measured in such a way that face of the sealed sensor is flush with the tube O.D. This tube will be concentric (approximately) with bigger pipe. The pipe has different I.D. and sensor has to measure the distance to the inside diameter. The distances will be vary as i have mentioned above between 1 and 3 cm. I isolated the cylindrical side of the sensor from the tube trying to reduce sensor ringing but it is still quite big and prevent EVM's GUI software  from detecting short distances. (I tried to use short TOF settings for GUI and I see the echo on oscilloscope but its amplitude is smaller than crystal ringing and software cannot generate a STOP pulse). Now I am thinking to use two sensors. One as a transmitter another as a receiver to measure the TOF. Do you think this approach will allow me to measure short distances reliably? If yes, could you please tell me how should I connect  transducers to the EVM board and what changes to the GUI configuration should I make to use them in a such arrangement?   

  • Hi Valeriy,

    I'm glad you got that working. I am going to split this comment into its own thread since it is a separate question, and it will be easier to reference in the future.

    Using separate transmit and receive transducers will certainly eliminate the problem of ringing masking short distance echos. However, before trying that method I would suggest first adjusting the number of transmit pulses (this is NUM_TX in the CONFIG0 register) to as low as possible, and adjusting the Short TOF masking period as shown on page 27 of the TDC1000 datasheet. There is also a damping bit that can be set in the CONFIG2 register that is supposed to damp the ringing from the transducer, but its effectiveness can vary. Finally, you can try to apply some RTV silicone caulk or hot glue around the transducer, which may help to mechanically damp the ringing.

    Regards,
  • Hello Scott,

    Thanks for your reply. This week I will try to follow your recommendations and make changes to the GUI settings and check if those changes improve the result. I will let you know my findings.

    In your response you have mentioned that you split my question into a separate thread. Can you send me a link to that thread. I cannot find it.

    Best regards. 

  • Hi Valeriy,

    That thread is here: e2e.ti.com/.../579479

    Regards,