Design and Construction of an Ultrasonic Level Measurement Device Using Arduino Uno

Caleb Kambai, and Matthew N Agu
2026-07-02 48 views 2 downloads

 

Accurate and reliable level monitoring is essential in many industrial and scientific applications, including water storage, oil and gas processing, agricultural systems, and automated processes. Conventional contact-based measurement techniques are often limited by corrosion, contamination, and environmental effects, which can compromise measurement accuracy and system reliability. This study presents the design, construction, calibration, and performance evaluation of a non-contact ultrasonic level measurement device based on a custom ultrasonic sensing system integrated with an Arduino Uno microcontroller. The device operates on the ultrasonic time-of-flight principle, in which distance is determined from the travel time of reflected sound pulses. The developed prototype was tested over a measurement range of 2.9–400 cm using 51 measurement points, with five repeated readings recorded at each point to evaluate repeatability and measurement uncertainty. Statistical analysis yielded a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.129 cm, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.163 cm, a standard deviation of 0.143 cm, and a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.999998, demonstrating excellent linearity and measurement accuracy. The percentage error decreased with increasing measurement distance, reaching a minimum of 0.025% at 400 cm, which is attributed to reduced near-field instability and improved ultrasonic wave propagation at longer ranges. The results demonstrate that the developed system provides reliable real-time level measurement under controlled conditions and offers a cost-effective solution for industrial automation, reservoir monitoring, and storage tank applications.

 

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