Transducers - Introduction

The study of sensors is multidisciplinary and requires a comprehensive knowledge of

general
physics, solid-state physics, electronics, technology and semiconductor- manufacturing
techniques.
Energy information conversion is the objective of a sensor. The information available in
one
energy form must be converted into the same or another energy form, with exactly the
same
information content as the originating energy form.
Figure Functional block diagram of a measurement system.
The identification unit contains a device which reacts to the desired physical quantity and
converts it into an electrical quantity. The input transducer can be found here, normally
called a
sensor. In the modifier stage the electrical energy is converted into another shape. In the
presentation unit, two possibilities arise depending on the nature of the 'system' to be
served.
If a machine or process must be supplied with new information, the output transducer
must
be able to provide it. In that case, often a type of actuator may be required to execute the
right
action. In measurement systems to be perceived by humans, we need a type of display to
which
our senses react, or can take action. So if we state that the output transducer is an actuator
we are
always right, whether it activates a technical system or a living (biological) system.
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