PVDF Based Sonar for a Remote Web System to Control Mobile Robots

Wide-band ultrasound transducers, based on ferroelectric polymer technology, were used for the measurement of distances in unstructured environments. Piezo-polymer based sonar was mounted aboard mobile robot to emulate the function of bio-sonar, according to strategies observed in the flight of bats. A complete electronic system was designed and assembled, with reduced dimensions, weight, and power consumption, boasting easy assembly onto small mobile devices. Different techniques for distance measurement (threshold method and cross-correlation function together with a denoising method based on wavelet transform) are discussed and compared with results reported in literature, emphasizing the advantages of the polymer transducer in terms of versatility, efficiency, and work modalities. The Web Publishing Tool implemented the remote control features in LabVIEW to manage and modify the signal parameters during testing and acquire data.