Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: Joe on April 28, 2007, 03:57:03 PM

Title: Infrared vs. Sonar
Post by: Joe on April 28, 2007, 03:57:03 PM
What exactly are the pros and cons of each? All I've ever used are infrared but everything I've read about sonar makes them seem very similar, almost interchangeable.
Title: Re: Infrared vs. Sonar
Post by: Hal9000 on April 28, 2007, 04:25:58 PM
Well, having only used ultrasonic to any great extent, I would say that people only use it for applications where cheap and dirty distance measurements need to be made. I am also probably right in thinking it is tonnes better for longer distances.

Intra red seems to be more accurate and less noisy. Plus I belive it would be easier to modulate the IR since it has no mechanical part attached to it. Background noise (sound for ultrasonic, and infrared light for infrared) is always going to be a limiting factor, although this is why you would modulate the signals.

Again, i'm still a bit shifty around these matters. But I hope that helped.
Title: Re: Infrared vs. Sonar
Post by: Admin on April 29, 2007, 11:03:19 AM
it has a lot to do with your application requirements . . .

in most cases i perfer sharp IR because they are very accurate and fast . . .

i would only use sonar if i want wide field detection where accuracy doesnt matter . . .
Title: Re: Infrared vs. Sonar
Post by: Tsukubadaisei on May 10, 2007, 07:26:18 AM
Sonar is good for outdoors object detection.