Home
Fellows
Projects
Sensors
Contact us
Sponsors
Meet the fellows, teachers, and investigators involved

GK-12 Sensors!
Portable Module


Title: Pulse/Beam Sensing

Author: Jesse Parks

Discipline: All

Introduction

This module covers the topic of remote sensing using pulses or beams of directed acoustic or electromagnetic energy. This is important topic because it covers a wide range of sensor technologies that are used in all branches of science. The module begins with a 15-20 minute presentation called “Beam It Up!” that surveys a number of these sensing technologies. In the second part of the module, two groups of student “test engineers” work to measure two important performance parameters associated with beam sensors.

Associated Maine Learning Results

CAREER PREPARATION:

C. INTEGRATED AND APPLIED LEARNING: Students will demonstrate how academic knowledge and skills are applied in the workplace and other settings.

Students will be able to:

Secondary Grades
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how humans change and adapt technology to their benefit.

MATHEMATICS:

F. MEASUREMENT: Students will understand and demonstrate measurement skills.

Students will be able to:

Middle Grades
2. Develop and use concepts that can be measured directly, or indirectly.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of length, area, volume, and the corresponding units, square units, and cubic units of measure.

Secondary Grades
1. Use measurement tools and units appropriately and recognize limitations in the precision of the measurement tools.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

G. THE UNIVERSE: Students will gain knowledge about the universe and how humans have learned about it, and about the principles upon which it operates.

Students will be able to:

Middle Grades
4. Describe scientists’ exploration of space and the objects they have found.

Secondary Grades
1. Describe how scientists gather data about the universe.

H. ENERGY: Students will understand concepts of energy.

Students will be able to:

Secondary Grades
3. Explain or demonstrate how sound waves travel.

J. INQUIRY AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Students will apply inquiry and problem- solving approaches in science and technology.

Students will be able to:

Middle Grades
1. Make accurate observations using appropriate tools and units of measure.
2. Design and conduct scientific investigations which include controlled experiments and systematic observations. Collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions fairly.

Secondary Grades
1. Make accurate observations using appropriate tools and units of measure.

Required Equipment

  • (2) Vernier Ultrasonic Motion Detectors with necessary LabPro units and E-Macs
  • (2) foam poster boards (1 standard-sized—cut into two pieces—will work)
  • (3) 12’ tailoring tape measures*
  • (1) protractor (the larger, the better)*
  • (1) yard-stick
  • (1) computer with overhead projector for presentation
  • masking tape

*NOTE TO UMAINE GK-12 FELLOWS: These items have been purchased for the program and are currently stored in the metal cabinet near the window in Prof. Vetelino’s lab (ESRB Rm 293), or possibly in ESRB Rm 112, the program coordinator's office.

Procedure

Overview

We begin by delivering the attached presentation “Beam It Up!--Sensing From a Distance Using Electromagnetic and Acoustic Energy Pulses”. This presentation has almost no text, so we will have develop our own lecture notes. Instead, it shows interesting images relating to many different applications of this “beam sensing” concept. These applications include SONAR, RADAR, and GPS. This presentation should take 15-20 minutes, although we might easily talk about this topic for several class periods.

We next introduce the students to the Vernier Ultrasonic Motion Detectors (UMD) specifically, how they operate, and how they are used.

We next lead the students to the first test station, where student “test engineers” will be trying to determine the beam width of a Vernier UMD. Details on the test preparation and execution are given in a later section. The test concept is demonstrated, and four student test engineers are selected. The Assistant and approximately half the class remain at the first test station, while the Fellow and the other half of the class proceed to the second test station.

At the second test station, student test engineers will be trying to determine the range (minimum and maximum distances) of the Vernier UMD. Details on the test preparation and execution are given in a later section. The test concept is demonstrated, and four student test engineers are selected. When the group at the first test station is finished, they can rejoin the group at the second test station.

Discussion follows if time permits.

Test Station #1, Beam Width (Preparation)

Begin by using the supplied clamp to clamp the UMD firmly to a stationary object. This is necessary to provide a solid reference point for our measurements. Next, we use masking tape to affix one of the tailors’ tapes to the floor in front of the UMD. The tape should be lain out with the zero end directly beneath the UMD, and the length of the tape straight out in the direction to which the UMD is pointing. In other words, the tape should be as parallel as possible to the ultrasonic beam of the detector. A second tailors’ tape should also be fixed at the zero end, directly beneath the UMD, but with the other end free to move. The protractor and one of the foam boards are placed nearby. The LabPro software is open and communicating with the UMD.

Test Station #1, Beam Width (Execution)

The foam board is used as a high-efficiency acoustic reflector. One test engineer will be operating the LabPro software. The second will be recording the data. The third will be holding the reflector. Move him or her out about 6’ or 8’ from the UMD, standing on the fixed tailors’ tape. Verify that the UMD is measuring the distance accurately, and note any differences between the tailors’ tape measurement and the UMD measurement. Now, have the third engineer slowly move sideways, off the direct line of the beam, while keeping the reflector pointed directly at the UMD. He or she continues to move off the line until the UMD ceases to accurately measure the distance to the reflector, and instead comes back with some other number. The fourth engineer moves the free end of the second tailors’ tape until it is in line with the reflector and forms an angle with the fixed tape. He or she then uses the protractor to measure this angle. This procedure should be repeated with the third engineer moving off the line in the opposite direction. The sum of the two angles gives the measured beam width of the UMD.

Test Station #2, Range (Preparation)

Begin by using the supplied clamp to clamp the UMD firmly to a stationary object. This is necessary to provide a solid reference point for our measurements. Next use the masking tape to fix the third tailors’ tape to the floor in front of the UMD. However, this time, begin with the zero point of the tape 12’ from the UMD so that the other end is 24’ from the UMD. The second foam board and the yardstick are placed nearby. The LabPro software is open and communicating with the UMD.

Test Station #2, Range (Execution)

As with Test Station #1, the foam board is used as a high-efficiency acoustic reflector, one test engineer will be operating the LabPro software, the second will be recording the data, and the third will be holding the reflector. Move him or her to the zero point of the tape, 12’ from the UMD. Verify that the UMD is measuring the distance accurately, and note any differences between the tailors’ tape measurement and the UMD measurement. Now, have the third engineer slowly move backward along the line of the tape, until the UMD ceases to accurately measure the distance to the reflector. The fourth engineer then observes the position of the reflector in relation to the tailors’ tape to give the maximum range. Following this, move the third engineer inward to about 3’ from the UMD. Have him or her slowly move forward along the line of the tape, until the UMD ceases to accurately measure the distance to the reflector. The fourth engineer then uses the yard stick to measure the minimum range.

Return to module categories list.