For ranges up to 30 meters – SECO ultrasonic transducer + PMUT
For ranges of up to 30 meters, combine our powerful ultrasonic transducers with highly sensitive piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUT).
PMUTs have been commercially available on the global market for several years. These operate at frequencies of 80 kHz or 175 kHz. These ultrasonic transducers are MEMS-based CMOS chips with fully integrated control and evaluation of the ultrasonic transducers integrated on the chip. The widely used I²C bus, which was developed for communication between ICs on two data lines, reads out the measurement data. These systems on a chip enable accurate ultrasonic distance measurement with the lowest power consumption. In addition, the chips can be reflow-soldered onto electronic circuit boards. The sound is emitted and recorded through a small hole on the top. The beam width of the sound emission ranges from 45° to 160° and is therefore very large.
Combined ultrasonic sensor system for highly sensitive measurements
Compared to other ultrasonic sensors, PMUT ultrasonic transducers are weak transmitters but highly sensitive receivers. This gave rise to the idea for a combined ultrasonic sensor system: a conventional SECO ultrasonic transducer as a transmitter in combination with a highly sensitive PMUT as a receiver for ranges of up to 30 meters.
We design our SECO ultrasonic transducers so that their operating frequency is compatible with the receiver frequency of the PMUT. From our product portfolio, we recommend the SC007 (80 kHz), SC008 (80 kHz) and our new, powerful SC517 (175 kHz) for use in combination with a PMUT. The typical beam width of the SECO transducers ranges from 7° to 20°, depending on the type, which provides a very good directional characteristic. In a principle test, we have also shown that an 80 kHz ultrasonic transducer also generates a well detectable received signal at the PMUT over a distance of more than 30 meters.
SECO is open to cooperation with other sensor manufacturers to produce a combined sensor system. Talk to us! We are happy to provide our ultrasonic transducers as transmitters – tuned and optimized for your PMUT application.
Details of the PMUT
PMUTs (Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers) are miniaturized ultrasonic transducers based on piezoelectric effects. Compared to conventional ultrasonic transducers, PMUTs offer higher integration capability and lower power consumption, making them ideal for portable and compact applications. They consist of thin piezoelectric layers fabricated on silicon substrates. PMUTs are used in numerous industrial applications where they enable precise measurement and imaging on a small scale. Their small size and efficiency in particular make them a key technology in modern ultrasound technology.
