VEX-228-3011 VEX IQ Distance Sensor <p><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Bats use sound waves for navigation. By emitting a high frequency sound, then by listening to the sounds bounced back, they can determine if something is in their path. Robots can use a similar method by emitting a chirp at a frequency above human hearing. Then a precise measurement is made of the time it takes for the sound to bounce back. With knowledge of the speed of sound and the transit time, the distance can be calculated. The Distance Sensor uses ultrasonic sound waves to measure distance.</font></p>
<p><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The quickest way to demonstrate an ultrasonic Distance Sensor is to snap one on the front of a robot and plug it into the VEX IQ Robot Brain. The programs built-in to the Robot Brain will automatically detect the Distance Sensor and start using the information. The Driver Control program will monitor the range in front of the robot. As the driver drives the robot towards an object, the robot will automatically slow down to avoid collision with the object.</font></p>
<p><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The best use for a Distance Sensor is to help with navigation. Avoiding hitting objects is easy if you can "see" how much room you have in front of you. Distance Sensors also help with navigating mazes without having to hit a wall to know it's there. Your location can also be calculated by measuring the distance to the walls around you.</font></p>
<p><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The VEX IQ Distance Sensor uses a Texas Instruments MSP430 microcontroller running at 16 MHz to create pulses and measure sound reflection time. Logarithmic amplifiers and automatic gain control software, features used in radars, improves accuracy for give a wide measurement range. Features that automatically alert the Brain if a specified distance is measure makes writing software easy. All this technology works together to make a smart distance sensor that is simple, flexible, and powerful.</font></p>
<p><font color="#cccccc" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Features</font><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br />
Measures distance from 1 inch to 10 feet<br />
Continuously measures distance to minimize delays<br />
Supports event programming to simplify software</font></p>
<table width="100%" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><font color="cccccc" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Specs</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Kit Contents</font></td>
<td><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">(1) Distance Sensor</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Connectors</font></td>
<td><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">(1) Smart Port</font></td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Function</font></td>
<td><font color="00ff66" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Get range<br />
Alert on range</font></td>
</tr>
</table>