Sensors and Actuators

for Automation
(EE 5201)

Logeeshan V. (Ph.D.)
Senior Lecturer
1
 Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students
should be able to:

• Identify the critical specifications of

various types of sensors.

• Specify the characteristics of sensors

required for an automated system design.

• Specify the characteristics of actuators

required for an industrial automation
project.

• Design the sensors and actuators needed

for a particular automation problem.
2
 Outline Syllabus
• Typical characteristics of sensors in time domain
and frequency domain parameters and their
relation to the closed loop feedback systems
employed in the automation industry.

• Types of Sensors: Digital sensors, analog sensors,

and sensor specifications.

• Actuators: Introduction to different types of

actuators including servomotors, dc motors, ac
motors, grippers, manipulators, and linear
actuators. Hydraulic and pneumatic types.

• Data sampling, A/D, D/A, Interfacing and systems

development using sensors and actuators. 3
 Module Details
• Number of Sessions : 7 or 8

• Evaluation:
• Assignment (40%)
• Final Examination (60%)

• Reference Material:
• Mechatronics (4th Edition)- W. Bolton
• Control Sensors and Actuators –
Clarence W.de Silva

4
5
 What is a Sensor?

• Device that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus. 6

 What is a Sensor?
• A Device that receives a
stimulus and responds with an
electrical signal.

• The stimulus is the quantity,

property or condition that is
received and converted into an
electrical signal.

7
 What is a Sensor?
The sensor’s output signal may be in the form of:
 Voltage
 Current
 Charge

This may be further described in terms of:

 Amplitude
 Polarity
 Frequency
 Phase
 Digital code

8
 What is a Transducer?
• Transducer is a converter of any one type of energy into another.

• Sensor converts any type of energy into electrical energy.

• Transducers may be used as actuators in various systems.

9
 What is a Transducer?
• Transducers may be parts of complex sensors.

• For example, a chemical sensor may have a part, which converts

the energy of a chemical reaction into heat and another part, a
thermopile, which converts heat into an electrical signal.

• The combination of the two makes a chemical sensor, a device

which produces electrical signal in response to a chemical
reagent.

10
 What is an Actuator?
• Wikipedia -
 An actuator is a component of a machine that is responsible for moving
or controlling a mechanism or system. An actuator requires a control
signal and a source of energy. The control signal is relatively low energy
and may be electric voltage or current, pneumatic or hydraulic pressure,
or even human power.

• An actuator is a mechanism for turning energy into motion.

11
 Summary
• In summary, there are two types of sensors;
 Direct
 Complex

• A direct sensor converts a stimulus into an electrical signal or

modifies an electrical signal by using an appropriate physical
effect.

• A complex sensor in addition needs one or more transducers of

energy before a direct sensor can be employed to generate an
electrical output.
12
 Data Acquisition System
• A sensor does not function by itself; it is always a part of a larger
system that may incorporate many other:
 Detectors
 Signal conditioners
 Signal processors
 Memory devices
 Data recorders
 Actuators

• The sensor’s place in a device is either intrinsic or extrinsic.

• Sensor is always a part of some kind of a data acquisition system. 13

 Data Acquisition System
• Non-Contact Sensor:
 Radiation sensor
 Camera
 IR sensors

• Thermistor is an active
sensor.

• Actuators:
 Electric motors
 Solenoid
 Relay
 Pneumatic valve 14
 Data Acquisition System
• Car door Monitoring System:
 Sensor: Simple electric switch.
 Actuator: The car driver

15
 Data Acquisition System
• Anesthetic vapor delivery system:
 Sensor: Piezoelectric.
 Actuator: valves

16
 Data Acquisition System
• Advanced safety vehicle:
 Sensors: Eyeball movement sensor,
driver head inclination detector,
microwave, ultrasonic, and infrared
sensors, radar and infrared (IR)
detectors.

17
 Sensor Classification
• Sensor classification schemes range from very simple to the
complex.

• All sensors may be of two kinds:

 Passive: does not need any additional energy source
 Thermocouple
 Photodiode
 Piezoelectric

 Active: require external power/excitation signal (Parametric)

 Thermistor
 Resistive strain gauge
18
 Sensor Classification
• Depending on the selected reference:
 Absolute: independent of the measurement conditions.
 Thermistor
 Absolute Pressure sensor

 Relative: related to some special case.

 Thermocouple
 Relative Pressure sensor

19
 Sensor Classification
• Sensor Properties:
 Sensor Specifications

 Sensor Material

20
 Sensor Classification
• Sensor Properties:
 Detection means used

21
 Sensor Classification
• Sensor Properties:
 Conversion Phenomena

22
 Sensor Classification
• Sensor Properties:
 Field of Applications

23
 Sensor Classification
• Sensor Properties:
 Stimulus

24