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From: dennisg@fritz.UUCP
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Ultrasonic Distance Measurement
Message-ID: <3858@fritz.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Mar-87 22:22:33 EST
Article-I.D.: fritz.3858
Posted: Thu Mar 12 22:22:33 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Mar-87 06:36:43 EST
References: <8455@aero.ARPA>
Sender: root@fritz.UUCP
Reply-To: dennisg@fritz.UUCP (Dennis Griesser)
Organization: FileNet Corp., Costa Mesa, CA
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In article <8455@aero.ARPA> marken@aero.UUCP (Richard Marken) writes:
>I would appreciate information regarding use of the Polaroid camera's
>ultrasonic sensor as a digital yardstick. I recall reading an article
>on how to build such a device -- the article appeared about 3 years ago 
>in Byte or Radio Electronics. Does anyone recall seeing such an article or
>have some recommendations regarding where a schematic could be obtained?

There was such an article in the "Circuit Cellar" column of Byte.  Three
years ago sounds about right.

A couple of years before that, the same column added a Polaroid ultrasonic
rangefinder to a light sensor and parabolic mirror arrangement mounted
on a stepping motor.  That one was probably entitled "I've Got You In My
Scanner".

I have the issues at home, in a pile awaiting construction of a homebrew
unit of similar ilk.

I would discourage use of the Polaroid unit in hacker applications because
it is quite expensive.

A cheaper alternative is the LM1812 chip.  Data is available in National
Semi's analog databook.

I'll post more info tomorrow.