Q. What effect does the size and shape of the target have on the performance of ultrasonic sensors?


The ideal target for an ultrasonic sensor is a flat surface, perpendicular to the sensor. As the flat surface area increases, thereby increasing the total reflective surface, more of the sound pulse can be reflected, which increases the sensing range. As the flat surface area decreases, or if the surface area is not flat, less of the sound pulse can be reflected, which decreases the sensing range.