Development of a novel ribbon-based air-coupled ultrasonic transducer

A new design of air-coupled ultrasonic transducer has been developed based on the design of a ribbon microphone, using a thin metallic ribbon suspended in a strong magnetic field. A current pulse within the ribbon induces motion, generating an ultrasonic pulse. An incoming ultrasonic wave also causes the ribbon to move, hence generating a received current signal. Experiments have shown that the performance of the transducer in terms of sensitivity and bandwidth is dependent on the ribbon characteristics, magnetic field distribution and type of current drive circuit