E18-DS80NK IR Sensors

Community General Discussions
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I'm working on an obstacle avoidance robot. I have two DS80NK's mounted side by side, each canted in about twenty degrees so the beams cross each other. I got curious about the shape and range of the beams so I mapped them out. They didn't look quite like I expected. Each side of the beam (2D) goes straight out for a distance then starts to turn in and then turns out at a greater angle than the first part of the beam. It's kind of hard to describe in words so the picture shows what I'm talking about.

 

E18-DS80NK_svg.png

 

Why do they angle in then back out like that?

Finally here is a short video of them in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il7-prRlVuw

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il7-prRlVuw
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beam shape

I am sure it is not the beam. Most likely the sensor. The receiver probably has a focusing lens which is optimized over a certain range. Anything outside will contain distortions. BTW, thanks for doing the investigation.

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You’re certainly welcome

You’re certainly welcome ggallant. I haven’t been able to find anything on how these things actually operate. One other tid-bit I figured out is that turning the tiny screw in the back of the device counterclockwise (facing the back of the device) shortens the range and clockwise lengthens it.

Stay groovy, y’all.