Chapter (2)

Sensors
2.8 Passive or active sensor

Passive sensors require no external power.

Active sensors require external power source.

2.9 Analogue or digital sensor

Analogue sensors produce continuous signals

such as a current (4 - 20 mA standard).
Digital sensors produce signals as binary numbers.
This can be inherent (considered) in the design but
normally require an Analogue to Digital Converter
(ADC). You may consider sensors with simple on
and off action as digital.
2.10 Classification of Sensors

The classification is based on the function that the

sensor performs:
- Pressure sensors
- Temperature sensors
- Acceleration sensors
- Acoustic field
- Angle
- Current
- Force and load
- Humidity level
- Length
- Medical imaging
- Position
- Radiation
- Sound
- Vacuum
- Audio field and noise
- Density
- Frequency
- Image
- Level
- Magnetic field
- Phase
- Resistance
- Stress and strain
- Velocity
- Voltage
- Amplitude
- Color
- Flow
- Gas concentration and pH (acidity)
- Intensity of light
- Motion
- Power
- Rotation
- Speed
- Vibration
- Viscosity
- etc. (sensors can be designed and manufactured
when needed in certain function)

The sensors considered in this classification are

those frequently encountered (the most common)
in mechatronics applications that are mostly
related to mechanical engineering.
 Stimulus Quantity (Measurand)
Wave (amplitude, phase, polarization), Spectrum,
Acoustic
Wave Velocity.
Charge, Voltage, Current, Electric Field
Electric (amplitude, phase, polarization), Conductivity ,
Permittivity.
Magnetic Field (amplitude, phase, polarization),
Magnetic
Flux, Permeability.
Optical Refractive Index, Reflectivity, Absorption.
Temperature, Flux, Specific Heat, Thermal
Thermal
Conductivity.
Position, Velocity, Acceleration, Force, Strain,
Mechanical
Stress, Pressure, Torque, Flow rate, ….
Biological &
Fluid Concentrations (Gas or Liquid).
Chemical
2.10.1 Pressure sensors

Pressure sensors are used to detect pressure of

liquids or gases (fluids).

Many technologies are used in pressure sensors .

- Strain gage
- Piezoresistive or capacitive
- Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
Each sensor has a pressure range that it works in.
Most pressure sensors have analog outputs that
need amplification but some have built-in
amplifiers for direct connection into
microcontroller
Pressure sensors types include the following:

1) Differential pressure sensors

- Difference between two or more pressures
introduced as inputs to the sensing unit
- They have 2 or more inputs
2) Absolute or gage pressure sensors
- They measure the pressure relative to
perfect vacuum pressure or relative to a
certain set pressure (like pressure at sea
level)
- They have only one input
Pressure sensors applications

- Measure steady or unsteady pressures of fluids.

- Measure altitude for planes or weather
balloons.
- Measure mass flow or volume flow rates in
conjunction with orifice or Venturi.
- Measure depth of water. When measuring
liquids, most sensors are not designed to deal
with unclean liquids in contact with the sensor
components. A small amount of air in the tube
right before the sensor will create a barrier
from the liquid.
- Measure blood pressure to monitor the status of
the patient during operations.
- piezoresistive pressure sensor to reduce fuel
consumption by a tight control of the ratio
between air and fuel.
Technologies of pressure sensors or operation
principles

1- Piezoresistive or capacitive
a- Piezoresistor or capacitor integrated in the
membrane
b- Pressure deflects the membrane
c- Resistance or capacitance changes proportional
to deflection and thus to pressure
- Piezoresistive pressure sensor
- Piezoelectric capacitive pressure sensor
2- Strain gage

- Strain gauge is
used to measure
deflection
(motion), stress,
pressure, etc.
- The resistance of
the sensing
element changes
with applied
strain
An amplifier electrical
circuit (Wheatstone
bridge) is used to
measure small
changes in the strain
gauge resistance Deflection of the strain gage
 3- Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
a) Elastic pressure transducers with different
elastic deformation elements (diaphragm,
capsules, bellows, Bourdon tubes, etc.)
b) Mach-Zehnder interferometer
1- Laser light brought into the sensor by optical
fiber.
2- Light is split to two beams
3- One light beam crosses a micro-membrane
which is deformed by pressure
4- The deformation changes light properties
5- The beams are combined and brought to a
photodiode
6- Different propagation speeds creates an Output
of 14 μV/mbar