MaxBotix MB1013 HRLV-MaxSonar-EZ1 Ultrasonic Sensor - 5m Range, 1mm Resolution, Analog/PWM/Serial Output

The MB1013 provides three simultaneous output formats: an analog voltage proportional to distance, a pulse width (PWM) signal where the pulse length corresponds to distance, and a serial digital output in either TTL or RS232 format. This allows direct compatibility with analog inputs, digital input capture pins, or UART ports on microcontrollers and PLCs.

The sensor can detect objects as close as 1mm, but for practical ranging, objects closer than 30cm are typically reported as 30cm, representing a very minimal dead zone. The maximum reliable range is 5 meters (5000mm) for large, well-reflective targets under standard conditions.

The MB1013 operates from a wide voltage range of 2.5V to 5.5V DC, making it suitable for 3.3V and 5V logic systems. Its average current draw is very low at 3.1mA, which is ideal for battery-powered and portable applications.

No, the sensor is factory calibrated and features real-time automatic calibration for voltage, humidity, and ambient noise. It also includes internal temperature compensation for the speed of sound, ensuring accurate readings without user intervention in most environments.

For Arduino, you can use the analog output connected to an analog pin, the PWM output to a digital pin capable of input capture, or the serial TTL output to a hardware serial port (RX pin). For Raspberry Pi, the analog output requires an external ADC, while the serial TTL output can connect directly to the GPIO UART pins (using logic level translation if the Pi is 3.3V).