The HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor is a reliable and accurate distance measuring module designed for Arduino and other microcontroller platforms. It uses ultrasonic sound waves to measure distances from 2cm to 450cm with high precision, making it ideal for robotics, obstacle detection, and various DIY electronics projects.
The sensor works by emitting an ultrasonic pulse at 40kHz and measuring the time it takes for the sound to bounce back. It calculates the distance by timing the return pulse, allowing it to detect objects in its path with a high degree of accuracy (up to 3mm). It requires a 5V DC power supply and consumes less than 2mA of current when idle. The sensor has a narrow detection angle of less than 15 degrees, which helps in detecting objects with precision.