Maxbotix Ultrasonic Range Finder XL-AE1

This ultrasonic (sonar) range finder features real-time automatic calibration and noise rejection resulting in virtually noise-free distance readings even in environments with changing acoustic and electrical noise. The sensor detects objects from 0 to 7.65 m (25 ft) and has a resolution of 1 cm (0.4") for distances beyond 20 cm (8"). The XL-MaxSonar works from 3.3 to 5V and peaks at only 0.5 W of power consumption.

The EZ0 / AE0, EZ1 / AE1, EZ2 / AE2, EZ3 / AE3, and EZ4 / AE4 versions have progressively narrower beam angles.

The XL‑MaxSonar‑AE1 offers a lower hardware gain and a smaller, narrower detection zone than the MB1300. This makes the XL-MaxSonar-AE1 a great choice for people detection applications.

The Maxbotics XL-MaxSonar family of sonar range finders offers very short- to long-range detection and ranging in an incredibly small package with low power consumption. The XL-MaxSonar detects objects from 0 to 7.65 meters (25 feet) and provides sonar range information beyond 20 cm (8") with a resolution of 1 cm resolution (0.4 in). Objects between 0 and 20 cm range as 20 cm. An efficient transformer uses 0.5 W of power to drive the transducer, yielding high-output acoustic power. This acoustic power, combined with continuously-variable gain, real-time automatic calibration, real-time waveform signature analysis, and real-time noise rejection algorithms, results in virtually noise-free distance readings for most applications, even in the presence of various acoustic or electrical noise sources. The XL-MaxSonar distance sensor is available in five factory-calibrated beam patterns (EZ/AE0-4).

For a less-expensive, lower-resolution, shorter-range version, please consider the LV-MaxSonar-EZ family of distance sensors.

Specifications and Features

    Small and light: 0.870" x 0.785" x 0.989" (2.2 x 2.0 x 2.5 cm), 0.22 oz (6.1 g)
    Long range detection: 0 – 7.65 m (25 ft)
    No dead zone; detections from 0 to 20 cm (8 in) are output as 20 cm
    Resolution of 1 cm (0.4 in)
    Low typical current consumption: 3.4 mA at 5 V, 2.1 mA at 3.3 V
    Runs on 3.3 – 5 V
    42 kHz ultrasonic sensor
    10 Hz reading rate
    Readings can be triggered externally or internally
    Supports three interfaces (all are active simultaneously):
        Serial output of distance reading: asynchronous, logic-level (TTL), inverted, 9600 bps 8N1
        Analog output of distance reading: (Vcc/1024) / cm (4.9 mV/cm when input voltage Vcc = 5 V)
        Pulse width output of distance reading: 58 μs/cm (147 μs/in) on EZ models only
        Analog voltage envelope of return acoustic wave form on AE models only