Apple Inc.
Ultrasonic sensor

Abstract:

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for ultrasonic object detection. In one embodiment, a sensor includes at least two transducers driven by a common waveform generator and configured to process received echoes, from an object, using a common echo detector. By providing the wavefront 180 degrees out of phase to one transducer relative to the other transducer, a dual detection lobe may be provided and thereby provided two detection volumes. By varying the phase delay from one transducer relative to other, the detection beam (volume) may be steered or swept. Without phase delay, a relatively higher strength acoustic detection signal may be transmitted by the two or more transducers.