Serial Sonic Sensor

[E Dawg]

We are trying to set up a sonic sensor for our robot and cannot get it to display values to the dashboard. We would appreciate any help, but first take note: our sensor does not work with the ultrasonic sensor .vi's. It has to use the serial .vi's.

Thank you.

[Joe Ross]

It sounds like there are two things you're trying to do. 1) Read data from the sensor. 2) Output that data to the dashboard. Which are you having trouble with?

If it's the former, a link to the datasheet of your sensor would be required.

[E Dawg]

If it's the former, a link to the datasheet of your sensor would be required.

How would I go about doing that?

[ekapalka]

Most ultrasonic sensors you buy will be analogue. This means it will output a voltage between two values (such as 0 to 5v) which can be linearily equated to a range by scaling it appropriately. If your sensor is from Maxbotix, everything you need is here (http://maxbotix.com/articles/016.htm), and if it isn't, the same concepts typically apply.

[in the event that serial sonic sensors and analogue sonar rangefinders aren't the same thing, my apologies]

[otherguy]

How would I go about doing that?

You need to let us know what the part number for your sensor is. There are a lot of different options out there in the world.
For example you might have one of these (they work differently):

LV‑MaxSonar‑EZ1 (http://www.maxbotix.com/Ultrasonic_Sensors/MB1010.htm) (from the kit of parts)
Parallax PING (http://www.pololu.com/product/1605)


Also, some more information on what you problem is would be helpful. Are you getting error messages? What is making you think things aren't working?

Providing your code would also be a good start.