Location sensor

GPS: GPS, or the Global Positioning System, is a global navigation satellite

system that provides location, velocity and time synchronization.

Magnetometer: The magnetometer, also known as a magnetic sensor, is a sensor

for measuring magnetic induction (magnetic field intensity), which is an important sensor
component in all types of aircraft and spacecraft.

Magneto resistive sensor: They detect changes, or disturbances in magnetic fields that

have been created or modified by objects or events. The magnetic fields may therefore carry
information on properties such as direction, presence, rotation, angle, or electrical currents that
is converted into an electrical voltage by the magnetic sensor.

Object Present sensor

Reed Switch (magnetic): A reed switch will be found in many alarm systems for sensing
whether doors and windows are open or closed. They are also used to make systems
tamperproof by placing either magnets or switches in covers so when they are removed, it
actuates the switch triggering the alarm.

Hall effect sensor (magnetic): A Hall effect sensor is an electronic device that is
designed to detect the Hall effect, and convert its findings into electronic data, either to switch a
circuit on and off, provide a measurement of a varying magnetic field, be processed by an
embedded computer or displayed on an interface.

Distance Sensor
Infrared sensor: IR sensor is an electronic device, that emits the light in order to sense
some object of the surroundings. An IR sensor can measure the heat of an object as well as
detects the motion. Usually, in the infrared spectrum, all the objects radiate some form of
thermal radiation.

Ultrasonic Sensors:  Ultrasonic Sensors measure the distance to the target by measuring

the time between the emission and reception. An optical sensor has a transmitter and receiver,
whereas an ultrasonic sensor uses a single ultrasonic element for both emission and reception.

capacitive sensor: A capacitive sensor is an electronic device that can detect solid or liquid
targets without physical contact. To detect these targets, capacitive sensors emit an electrical
field from the sensing end of the sensor. Any target that can disrupt this electrical field can be
detected by a capacitive sensor.

Linear potentiometer sensor: A linear potentiometer is a type of position sensor. They

are used to measure displacement along a single axis, either up and down or left and right.
Linear potentiometers are often rod actuated and connected to an internal slider or wiper carrier.

Magnetic linear encoder sensor: A magnetic linear encoder system uses a magnetic
sensor readhead and a magnetic scale to produce TTL or analog output for channels A and B.
As the magnetic sensor passes along the magnetic scale, the sensor detects the change in
magnetic field and outputs a signal.

Optical linear encoder sensor: Optical linear encoder uses light beams or lasers as a
signal. To improve the quality and direction of light pulses additional elements are also installed
into design (lens, scanning reticles, etc.) To do this, transparent (clearance) or opaque areas
are placed on the scale as marks.

LVDT sensor: An LVDT is an electromechanical sensor used to transform mechanical

motion into a variable electrical signal (current or voltage) and is used for measurement of
displacement. They function as actuators for automatic control systems or as mechanical
motion sensors in measurement technologies.

Orientation Sensor
Rotary potentiometer: A rotary potentiometer is an adjustable electrical resistor that can
be moved by means of a rotary motion. This allows control processes to be implemented in
various electrical or electronic systems, for example for volume control in multimedia devices.

Magnetic rotary position sensor: It is a 10-bit rotary position sensor (previously known
as encoder) for absolute angular measurement over a full turn of 360° based on contactless
magnetic sensor technology. This device fits perfectly for on-axis applications where a simple 2-
pole magnet rotates above or below the sensor IC.

Optical rotary encoder: An optical rotary encoder is a type of motion sensing device
that uses light shone through a coded disk to track the movement of a shaft. The encoder
provides feedback based on the interruption of light.

Mercury tilt switch sensor: Mercury tilt switches use a drop of mercury in the tube. The
sensor is positioned with respect to gravity forces so that the mercury moves away from the
contacts when the switch is open. A change in the orientation of the sensor causes the bead to
roll in the tube, touching both the contacts and closing the switch.
Pendulum tilt switch sensor: At a specific angle of the pendulum, the reed switch is
activated. By changing the position of the sensor on the object, the switching angle can
be changed.

Gyroscope sensor A gyroscope sensor is a device that is used to measure and maintain
the orientation and angular velocity of an object. This sensor is also known by various names
such as Angular Rate Sensor or Angular Velocity Sensors.

Accelerometer sensor : Accelerometers serve to measure motion or vibration by

converting physical movement into an electrical signal suitable for measurement, recording,
analysis and/or control. 

Vibration sensor
Pin spring vibration sensor: It consists of small and thin pin in the center of a coil spring.
The spring is anchored at its base and the other end is free to vibrate. If the vibration reaches
sufficient amplitude, the spring touches the pin and completes the circuit between the two leads
of the device.

Piezoelectric sensor: A piezoelectric sensor converts physical parameters - for example,

acceleration, strain or pressure into an electrical charge which can then be measured. They are
highly sensitive and very small in size making them well suited to everyday objects.

Magnetic vibration switch sensor: A vibration sensor is a device that measures the

amount and frequency of vibration in each system, machine, or piece of equipment. Those
measurements can be used to detect imbalances or other issues in the asset and predict future
breakdowns.

Force sensor
strain gauge sensor: A strain gauge is a type of electrical sensor. Its primary use is to
measure force or strain. The resistance of a strain gauge changes when force is applied, and
this change will give a different electrical output. Strain gauges use this method to measure
pressure, force, weight and tension.

plastic film force sensor: A force sensitive resistor (FSR) is a material which changes its
resistance when a force or pressure is applied. Conductive film is an example of such force
resistance material. In other words, force sensitive resistor it's a sensor that allow you to detect
physical pressure, squeezing and weight.

Liquid level sensor

Float sensor: A float switch is a type of level sensor, a device used to detect the level of
liquid within a tank. The switch may be used to control a pump, as an indicator, an alarm, or to
control other devices. One type of float switch uses a mercury switch inside a hinged float.

Ultrasonic level sensor: Ultrasonic level sensors measure distance by using ultrasonic

waves. The sensor head emits an ultrasonic wave and receives the wave reflected from the
target. ultrasonic level sensors measure the distance to the target by measuring the time
between the emission and reception.

Differential pressure sensor: The differential pressure sensor measures the pressure drop
between two points in the flow pattern and is used at two different points in the exhaust
manifold. At one point it reports the charge status of the particle filter and monitors its function.

Liquid flow rate sensor

paddle wheel sensor: The paddle wheel rate sensor is designed for continuous
measurement of the flow of neutral and weakly aggressive liquids containing low levels of
solids. Flow speeds of 0.3 to 10 m/s can be measured. The sensor provides a frequency pulse
signal proportional to the flow speed.

Turbine sensor: A turbine speed sensor, also termed an input speed sensor, is used
for measuring the performance of the turbine by evaluating transmission performance and other
components of the turbine. It also detects the rotation speed of the turbine, which shows the
input revolution of the transaxle.

Thermal mass liquid flow rate sensor: Thermal mass flow sensors are most often
used for the regulation of low gas flows. They operate either by introducing a known amount of
heat into the flowing stream and measuring an associated temperature change or by
maintaining a probe at a constant temperature and measuring the energy required to do so.
 Gas concentration sensor
Semiconductor gas sensor: Gas sensors are devices that can detect the presence and
concentration of various hazardous gases and vapors, such as toxic or explosive gases, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), humidity, and odors. When semiconductor particles (typically
tin dioxide) are heated in air at high temperature, oxygen is adsorbed on the particle
surface by capturing free electrons. The depletion layer thus formed is largely
dependent on the radius of semiconductor particles used.
O2 sensor: The O2 sensor lets the computer know if the fuel mix is burning rich (not enough
oxygen) or lean (too much oxygen). Knowing the ratio of fuel to air allows your vehicle's engine
to make any necessary changes to ensure that your car runs like it should

Humidity sensor: The humidity sensor is a device that senses, measures, and reports the
relative humidity (RH) of air or determines the amount of water vapor present in gas mixture
(air) or pure gas.

Gas flow rate sensor

Anemometer sensor: By measuring the amount of phase shift in the received signals by
each transducer, and then by mathematically processing the data, the sensor can provide an
accurate horizontal measurement of wind speed and direction.

Light sensor
Photoresistor sensor: A photocell or photoresistor is a sensor that changes its resistance
when light shines on it. The resistance generated varies depending on the light striking at his
surface. A high intensity of light incident on the surface will cause a lower resistance, whereas a
lower intensity of light will cause higher resistance.

Photodiode sensor: A photodiode is a PN-junction diode that consumes light energy to

produce an electric current. They are also called a photodetector, a light detector, and a photo-
sensor. Photodiodes are designed to work in reverse bias condition. Typical photodiode
materials are Silicon, Germanium and Indium gallium arsenide.

Phototransistor sensor: The phototransistor is a semiconductor device that can sense

light levels and alter the current flowing between emitter and collector according to the level of
light it receives.
 Heat sensors

NTC thermistor: NTC thermistors are resistors with a negative temperature coefficient,
which means that the resistance decreases with increasing temperature. They are primarily
used as resistive temperature sensors and current-limiting devices.

PTC thermistor: These are used to protect electrical circuits from overcurrent. These
Thermistors are used for motor winding protection. These resistors play a key role in sensing
liquid levels. Switched PTC-type thermistors are mainly used as resettable fuses & over-current
limiters in different circuits.

Thermocouple: A thermocouple is a sensor that measures temperature. It consists of two

different types of metals, joined together at one end. When the junction of the two metals is
heated or cooled, a voltage is created that can be correlated back to the temperature.

RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector): An RTD Sensor is a device that tracks the

temperature of an application by measuring the change in resistance of the sensor in relation to
temperature. As temperature changes the resistance of the RTD sensor changes as well.

IC/semiconductor: An IC can function as an amplifier, oscillator, timer, counter, logic gate,

computer memory, microcontroller or microprocessor. An IC is the fundamental building block of
all modern electronic devices.

Microphonic sensor

Carbon microphone: It consists of two metal plates separated by granules of carbon. One
plate is very thin and faces toward the speaking person, acting as a diaphragm. Sound waves
striking the diaphragm cause it to vibrate, exerting a varying pressure on the granules, which in
turn changes the electrical resistance between the plates.

Moving coil microphone: A magnet within the microphone in turn produces a magnetic
field around the coil, and the coil movement in this field enables the current to flow. In this way,
the dynamic microphones produce sound, only in the reverse direction. They have a simple
design with a smaller number of moving parts.

Condense Coil microphone: Condenser microphones use the electrostatic principle to

create a charged structure that functions as a capacitor.

MEMS microphone: A MEMS microphone is an electro-acoustic transducer housing a

sensor (MEMS) and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in a single package. The
sensor converts variable incoming sound pressure to capacitance variations that the ASIC
transforms into analog or digital output.
Piezoelectric Microphone: A contact microphone, also known as a piezo microphone, is
a form of microphone that senses audio vibrations through contact with solid objects. Unlike
normal air microphones, contact microphones are almost completely insensitive to air vibrations
but transduce only structure-borne sound.