Handson Technology

User Guide

HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor Module

HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor is a very affordable proximity/distance sensor that has been
used mainly for object avoidance in various robotics projects. It has also been used in turret
applications, water level sensing, and even as a parking sensor.

SKU: SSR1012

Brief Data:

 Power Supply: 3.3~5 VDC

 Quiescent Current : <2mA
 Working Current: 2.8mA @ 5V
 Effective Angle: <15°
 Ranging Distance : 2cm – 400 cm or 1″ – 13ft
 Connector: 4-pins header with 2.54mm pitch.
 Dimension: 45mm x 20mm x 15mm
 Weight 8.5g.

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 HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor Module

User Guide: Ultrasonic Sensor V1.0

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Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction: ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

2.0: Module Specification............................................................................................................................................ 4
2.1: Sensor Element Construction ........................................................................................................................... 5
3.0: Ultrasonic Real Application................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Car Parking Reverse Sensors .............................................................................................................................. 5
3.2: Liquid Level Detection ...................................................................................................................................... 5
4.0: Pins Assignment and Dimension ........................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Pin Assignment.................................................................................................................................................. 6
4.2 Mechanical Dimension ...................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Timing Diagram ................................................................................................................................................. 6
4.4 Arduino Application Examples ........................................................................................................................... 8
5.0:HandsOn Technology Products Quality Commitments ......................................................................................... 10
5.1 WARRANTY ..................................................................................................................................................... 10

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1.0 Introduction:

Ultrasonic is an excellent way of figuring outwhat’s in the immediate vicinity of your Arduino.The basics of
using ultrasound are likethis: you shoot out a sound, wait to hear itecho back, and if you have your timing
right,you’ll know if anything is out there and howfar away it is. This is called echolocation and it’show bats
and dolphins find objects in the darkand underwater, though they use lower frequencies thanyou can use
with your Arduino.Figure-1 show the working principal of ultrasonic ranging concept.

Figure-1

HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor is a very affordable proximity/distance sensor that has been used mainly for
object avoidance in various robotics projects. It has also been used in turret applications, water level
sensing, and even as a parking sensor.

This module is the second generation of the popular HC-SR04 Low Cost Ultrasonic Sensor. Unlike the first
generation HC-SR04 that can only operate between 4.8V~5V DC, this new version has wider input voltage
range, allow it to work with controller operates on 3.3V.HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor provides a very low-cost
and easy method of distance measurement. It measures distance using sonar, an ultrasonic (well above
human hearing) pulse (~40KHz) is transmitted from the unit and distance-to-target is determined by
measuring the time required for the echo return. This sensor offers excellent range accuracy and stable
readings in an easy-to-use package. An on board 2.54mm pitch pin header allows the sensor to be plugged
into a solderless breadboard for easy prototyping.

2.0: Module Specification

Electrical Parameters Value
Operating Voltage 3.3Vdc ~ 5Vdc
Quiescent Current <2mA
Operating Current 15mA
Operating Frequency 40KHz
Operating Range 2cm ~ 400cm ( 1in ~ 13ft)
Sensitivity -65dB min
Sound Pressure 112dB
Effective Angle 15°
Connector 4-pins header with 2.54mm pitch
Dimension 45mm x 20mm x 15mm
Weight 9g

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2.1: Sensor Element Construction
Piezoelectric crystals are used for sensor elements. Piezoelectric crystals will oscillate at high frequencies
when electric energy is applied to it. The Piezoelectric crystals will generate electrical signal when
ultrasound wave hit the sensor surface in reverse.

3.0: Ultrasonic Real Application

3.1 Car Parking Reverse Sensors
The main purpose is the distance range detection, which is widely used parking sensor for car. The sensor
is used forcalculating the distance, or direction of an object from the time it takes for a soundwave to travel
to the object and echo back. The effective detective range is 0.3m ~ 3.0m. Refer to Figure-2.

Figure-2.

3.2: Liquid Level Detection

Ultrasonic sensors are widely used forliquid level detection. In such cases,place a pipe on top of the sensor
head as shown Figure-3. By detecting the liquid level inside thepipe, a wavy surface or bubbles which can
disturb stable reading can be prevented.

Figure-3.

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4.0: Pins Assignment and Dimension

4.1 Pin Assignment

VCC 3.3v ~ 5V
TRIG Triggering Input Pin. 10uS TTL Pulses
ECHO TTL Logic Output Pin. Proportional to distance
GND Ground Pin

4.2 Mechanical Dimension

4.3 Timing Diagram

The timing diagram, Figure-4 is shown below. You only need to supply a short 10uS pulse to “Trigger Input”
pin to start the ranging.The module will send out 8-cycles burst of ultrasound at 40KHz and raise its “Echo”
pin, refer to Figure-5. The echo is a distance object that is pulse width and the range in proportion. You can
calculate the range through the time interval between sending trigger signal and receiving echo signal.
Formula: uS / 58 = centimeters or uS / 148 =inch
or: the range = high level time * sound velocity (340m/s) / 2;
Suggest to use over 60ms measurement cycle, in order to prevent trigger signal to the echo signal.

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 Figure-4: Timing Diagram

Figure-5: Microcontroller Interfacing

Please make sure the surface of object to be detected should have at least 0.5m2areafor better
performance.

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4.4 Arduino Application Examples

Connect the circuit to Arduino as shown in below:

Upload the below sketch to Arduino Board. Open up the Serial monitor and place some
object in front of the sensor module and observe the distance displayed.

/*==========================================================================
// Author : Handson Technology
// Project : HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor with Arduino Uno
// Description : HC-SR04 Distance Measure with Arduino and display
// on Serial Monitor.
// Source-Code : HC-SR04.ino
//==========================================================================
*/

int trig=11;
int echo=12;
int duration;
float distance;
float meter;
void setup()
{
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(trig, OUTPUT);

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 digitalWrite(trig, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
pinMode(echo, INPUT);
delay(6000);
Serial.println("Distance:");
}
void loop()
{
digitalWrite(trig, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(trig, LOW);

duration = pulseIn(echo, HIGH);

if(duration>=38000){
Serial.print("Out range");
}

else{
distance = duration/58;
Serial.print(distance);
Serial.print("cm");
meter=distance/100;
Serial.print("\t");
Serial.print(meter);
Serial.println("m");
}
delay(1000);
}

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5.0:HandsOn Technology Products Quality Commitments

HandsOn Technology wish to be perceived as simple and affordable by our customers. However the joy
over a low price is never greater than the disappointment over poor quality products. All our parts are
original genuine parts with proper data specifications from manufacturers. This is to ensure you always get
the high quality genuine original part as stated in our products information.

5.1 WARRANTY

 Product warranty is valid for 6 months.

 Warranty only applies to manufacturing defect.
 Damaged caused by misuse is not cover under warranty.
 Warranty does not cover freight cost for both ways.

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