Richard Gibson wrote


> I am building an ultrasonic level measurement system for an oil tank.
> The system is to take readings of the oil level periodically and
> transmit them (via an RF link) to a remote location to be displayed. I
> was thinking about using PICs to control both parts of the system.
>
> Part 1. the level measurement unit , this would consist of an ultrasonic
> transceiver , control system an a radio transmitter.
> This part of the system is to be battery powered. Could a PIC be used to
> drive the ultrasonic transmitter ? (generate pulses)
>
> Part 2. The remote receiver + digital display.
> A PIC would be required here to decode the received signal and drive the
> display.
>
are the tanks open or closed?  above ground or below ground? is it a
light or heavy oil?  for what you are doing, stainless pressure
transducers work pretty well, and the electronics can be outside the
tank.  ultrasonic just isnt very accurate, and the temp compensation
is tricky because of the thermal mass of the oil, which varies with
the volume of the oil.  the reason people dont much use ultarsonics
in this application is that it doesnt work very well.  there are
times when transducers arent a good choice, but it depends on your
application.

tell us more.



alice