ULTRA-PROG-IR
Settings at Evaluation Algorithm
Depending on the connected type of sensor, different tabs are arranged on the user interface of the software ULTRA-PROG-IR.
The tab "Evaluation" is available for every sensor type and allows settings at the evaluation algorithm of the sensor.
The following settings can be made in the tab "Evaluation":
- Operating mode

- Sensor locked:
In this mode, the sensor does not send any ultrasonic pulses.
The object distance that was last measured is saved as long as the sensor is energized.
The sensor remains ready for operation, i.e. further settings with the potentiometer or the software ULTRA-PROG-IR can be made.
- Direct detection sensor:
In the operating mode 'Direct detection sensor', the object serves as sound reflector.
Thus, the sensing range depends on the reflectivity of the object, i.e. on the condition of the surface and the angle of attack.
The presence of an object in the sensing range is displayed by means of a binary signal at the switching output or an analog distance signal at an analog output.
- Ultrasonic diffuse barrier sensor:
In this operating mode, the ultrasound is reflected at a fixed object.
This object serves as reference object and is detected by the sensor as long as there is no other object between the sensor and the reference object.
Objects that move between the sensor and the reference object, are detected due to the change in the measured distance or due to the missing signal from the reference object.
Using this procedure, objects with minor ultrasound reflectivity can be securely detected.
- Thru-beam sensor:
In the operating mode 'Thru-beam sensor', the sensor serves either as transmitter or receiver.
Thus, for thru-beam mode at least two sensors are required to create an ultrasonic thru-beam sensor.
Transmitter and receiver are mounted opposite each other.
To ensure a correct thru-beam mode, transmitter and receiver have to be synchronized, i.e. the XI connections of both sensors have to be connected with each other.
If an object impedes the sound propagation along the ultrasound signal path this causes a switching at the receiver.
With this procedure, longer distances can be reached compared to the reflectivity principle, because the ultrasound only passes the signal path once.
Furthermore, the response behavior decreases considerably as switching between transmitting and receiving mode is not necessary any more.
- Temperature compensation

If the temperature compensation is on, the indicated value in the datasheet concerning measurement accuracy applies for the whole temperature range.
If the temperature compensation is off, a measurement deviation applies, based on +20 °C.
With increasing temperatures, a measurement deviation of -0.17 %/K applies, with decreasing temperatures, the measurement deviation is +0.17 %/K.
- Sensitivity

Using this value given in percent, you can change the sensitivity of the ultrasonic receiver.
The smaller the sensitivity is set, the slimmer and shorter the sound cone of the sensor becomes.
The sensitivity may be set in the range 0...100 %.
- Sound cone width

This value given in percent indicates the sound cone width of the sensor.
The smaller the sound cone width is set, the slimmer the sound cone of the sensor becomes.
At settings from 40...100 %, the maximum effective operating range remains constant.
At settings from 0...39 %, the sound cone becomes both slimmer and shorter.
- Cycle time

Here, the cycle time of the sensor is given in milliseconds.
The cycle time means the repeating time of the ultrasonic pulse, i.e. after the cycle time has passed, the ultrasound is sent again.
The setting of the cycle time is reserved to the technical service staff.
Settings between 5...131 ms are possible.
The full range, however, is not available for all sensor types.
- Evaluation method

- First echo:
This evaluation method uses the first echo for evaluation, i.e. the object that is closest to the sensor and reflects ultrasound to the sensor is detected and used for the operation of the outputs.
This method is the usual evaluation method.
- Maximum amplitude:
In this method, the echo that has the strongest signal strength concerning the reflected ultrasound is used for the evaluation.
Objects with a minor sound reflectivity or objects that are located at the margin of the sound cone are blanked out.
This evaluation method is particularly suitable for applications of level measurement as liquids usually feature a very good sound reflectivity.
Disturbing edges at the container or reflection of an impeller can be blanked out with this evaluation method.
- Average value

Using this setting, past measured values may be rated with a factor.
The new measured value respectively gets the factor 1.
The higher the average value is set, the more inert is the reaction of the current measured value and thus of the sensor outputs on changes.
With this method, variations in the measured values can be easily compensated.
Settings ranging from 0...255 are valid.
Averaging is active only for object movements within the sensing range.
If an objects moves into the sensing range and if before that, no other object was within the sensing range, the averaging is inactive.
In this case, the response delay applies.
The same applies if an object moves out of the sensing range and if no other object is located within the sensing range.
- Filtering measured values

Filtering measured values for three measuring cycles serves the suppression of noise.
Thus, sporadic noise can be filtered if they do not occur longer than two measuring cycles.
If the filtering of measured values is switched off, lower response times can be reached.
If the sensor is deployed in an environment with possible electromagnetic interferences, the filtering of measured values should not be deactivated.
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