Sensor Description:

The DT020 is a distance sensor measuring the distance of objects in a range of 480 to 1480 mm from the sensor. The sensor can sample data up to 50 times per second, making it excellent for motion and movement experiments.

The DT020 distance sensor works on the same principal of a sonar system. Inside the DT020 there are an ultrasonic loudspeaker and microphone. A capacitor is connected to the loudspeaker and constantly charges and discharges according to the rate preset by the user. When the capacitor is discharged, the loudspeaker emits an ultrasonic pulse. This pulse travels through air, hits the closest item (within range) to the sensor, and returns as an echo. When the ultrasonic microphone receives the echo, the processor inside the sensor calculates the distance according to the time difference between the two events and the speed of sound. The result is transformed to a voltage between 0-5 Volts, and then translated to the proper distance value by the analog-digital converter of the data-logger.

The DT020 ships fully calibrated. No further calibration is needed. If, however the user notices a significant offset in the sensor’s calibration, it is possible to calibrate the sensor through the DB-LAB software. Please refer to the DB-Lab section of your Logger’s manual for further documentation.

The DT020 sensor is used for various experiments in physics and mechanics. Among the issues explored using the DT020 are harmonic motion of a spring, and motion on an inclined plane. The following graph is a sample experiment, measuring g the gravity force, performed using the DT020.