211ECE1400 – IoT Sensors and Devices

UNIT 3

1. What is a sensor?
A sensor is an input device that provides an output (signal) concerning a specific physical
quantity (input). The sensor converts physical quantities and characteristics into electrical
signals.

2. What is an actuator?
An actuator is a device that produces a motion by converting energy and signals going into
the system. The motion it produces can be either rotatory or linear.

3. What are the different types of sensors?

• LM35 (temperature sensor)
• Colour sensor
• Gas sensor
• LDR (Light sensor)
• Rain sensor
• IR sensor
• Touch sensor
• Ultrasonic sensor

4. What is an accelerometer?
An accelerometer is an electronic sensor that measures the acceleration forces acting on an
object, in order to determine the object’s position in space and monitor the object’s movement.

5. What are the applications of the accelerometer?

• Detection of earthquake
• For the protection of hard drives in laptops
• Uphill movement of the objects

6. What is a gyroscope sensor?

The gyroscope measures rotational velocity or rate of change of the angular position over time,
along the X, Y and Z axis.
The outputs of the gyroscope are in degrees per second.
7. What is a proximity sensor?
A Proximity Sensor is a non-contact type sensor that detects the presence of an object.
Proximity Sensors can be implemented using different techniques like Optical (like Infrared or
Laser), Sound (Ultrasonic), Magnetic (Hall Effect), Capacitive, etc.

8. What is an ultrasonic sensor?

An Ultrasonic Sensor is a non-contact type device that can be used to measure the distance as
well as the velocity of an object. An Ultrasonic Sensor works based on the properties of the
sound waves with a frequency greater than that of the human audible range.

9. Define humidity sensor.

All humidity sensors measure relative humidity (a ratio of water content in the air to the
maximum potential of air to hold water). Since relative humidity is dependent on the
temperature of the air, almost all Humidity Sensors can also measure Temperature.

10. Define Alcohol sensor.

An alcohol Sensor detects alcohol. Usually, alcohol sensors are used in breath analyser breath
analysers to catch drunk and driving culprits.

11. Draw the diagram of solenoids and mark the parts

12. Define smoke and gas sensor

One of the very useful sensors in safety-related applications is Smoke and Gas Sensors. Almost
all offices and industries are equipped with several smoke detectors, which detect any smoke
(due to fire) and sound an alarm.

13. Define colour sensor

A Colour Sensor is a useful device in building colour-sensing applications in the fields of image
processing, colour identification, industrial object tracking etc.
14. Define touch sensor
Touch Sensors, as the name suggests, detect the touch of a finger or a stylus. Often touch
sensors are classified into Resistive and Capacitive type. Almost all modern touch sensors are
of Capacitive Types as they are more accurate and have a better signal-to-noise ratio.

15. Define tilt sensor

Often used to detect inclination or orientation, Tilt Sensors are one of the simplest and most
inexpensive sensors out there. Previously, tilt sensors were made up of Mercury (hence they
are sometimes called Mercury Switches), but most modern tilt sensors contain a roller ball.

16. Define sensor classification

The other type of classification is based on the means of detection used in the sensor. Some of
the means of detection are Electric, Biological, Chemical, Radioactive etc. The next
classification is based on the conversion phenomenon i.e., the input and the output. Some of
the common conversion phenomena are ✓Photoelectric, ✓Thermoelectric, ✓Electrochemical,
✓Electromagnetic, ✓Thermo-optic etc.

17. Differentiate between the advantages and disadvantage of LCD

Advantages of LCD: ❖Takes less Space ❖Low Power Consumption ❖Sufficient Brightness
in low-lit areas ❖Low Screen Flickering rate

Disadvantages of LCD: ❖Expensive for their size ❖Inconsistent interfacing ❖Small viewing
Angle ❖Limited brightness ❖Poor reproduction of blacks

18. Difference between sensor and actuator

19. Draw the diagram of the LDR

20. What is a relay?

Whenever we need to connect any AC Appliance in our embedded circuits, we use a Relay.
Relay is an electromagnetic switch, which is controlled by a small current, and used to switch
ON and OFF relatively much larger current

21. Write a few examples of actuators

Electric motors ❖stepper motors ❖Jackscrews ❖electric muscular stimulators in robots, etc.

22. What is the usage of PWM & H-bridge in Motor drivers?

➢PWM – to control speed

➢H-Bridge – to control the spinning direction

23. What are the uses of sensors?

People use the sensors to measure the temperature, gauge distance, detect smoke, and regulate
pressure and myriad of other uses.

24. What are active and passive sensors?

Passive Sensors are those which require an external excitation signal or a power signal. Active
Sensors, on the other hand, do not require any external power signal and directly generate
output response.

25. What is a flex sensor?

A flex sensor, also known as a bend sensor, is a low-cost, simple-to-use sensor used to measure
the amount of deflection or bending.