Data Sheet

MaxBotix

Inc.

Patent 7,679,996

LV-MaxSonar

EZ™

Series

Page 5

Web: www.maxbotix.com

PD11832f

MaxBotix Inc., products are engineered and assembled in the USA.

Using Multiple Sensors in a single system

When using multiple ultrasonic sensors in a single system, there can be interference (cross-talk) from the other sensors.

MaxBotix Inc., has engineered and supplied a solution to this problem for the LV-MaxSonar-EZ sensors. The solution is

referred to as chaining. We have 3 methods of chaining that work well to avoid the issue of cross-talk.

The first method is AN Output Commanded Loop. The first sensor will range, then trigger the next sensor to range and so

on for all the sensor in the array. Once the last sensor has ranged, the array stops until the first sensor is triggered to range

again. Below is a diagram on how to set this up.

The next method is AN Output Constantly Looping. The first sensor will range, then trigger the next sensor to range and

so on for all the sensor in the array. Once the last sensor has ranged, it will trigger the first sensor in the array to range

again and will continue this loop indefinitely. Below is a diagram on how to set this up.

The final method is AN Output Simultaneous Operation. This method does not work in all applications and is sensitive to

how the other sensors in the array are positioned in comparison to each other. Testing is recommend to verify this method

will work for your application. All the sensors RX pins are conned together and triggered at the same time causing all the

sensor to take a range reading at the same time. Once the range reading is complete, the sensors stop ranging until

triggered next time. Below is a diagram on how to set this up.