ACOUSTIC SENSORS

EEE 5082 INTEGRATED SENSORS

Cansu Ecem Baykan

2021900260
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 DEFINITION
 MICROPHONES AND HYDROPHONES
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
 APPLICATIONS
 EXAMPLE
 RESOURCES
 DEFINITION
 The audible range sensors (acoustic sensors) are generally called the microphones; however, the
name is often used even for the ultrasonic and infrasonic waves.
 Basically, a microphone is a pressure transducer adapted for the transduction of sound waves
over a broad spectral range which generally excludes very low frequencies below a few hertz.
The microphones differ by their sensitivity, directional characteristics, frequency bandwidth,
dynamic range, sizes, and so forth.
 Also, their designs are quite different depending on the media from which sound waves are
sensed.
 For example; microphones are acoustic sensors for air waves in the audible range and
hydrophones are acoustic sensors for liquid waves.
 Because acoustic waves are mechanical pressure waves,
any microphone or hydrophone has the same basic
structure as a pressure sensor: it is composed of a
moving diaphragm and a displacement transducer which
converts the diaphragm’s deflections into an electrical
signal; that is, all microphones or hydrophones differ by
the design of these two essential components.
 The main difference between a pressure sensor and an
acoustic sensor is that acoustic sensor does not need to
measure constant or very slow-changing pressures.
 Microphones and Hydrophones

 Microphones/hydrophones are pressure sensors with

a wide dynamic range.
 A microphone/hydrophone is a pressure transducer,
adapted for the transduction of sound/liquid waves.
 All microphones/hydrophones have a moving
diaphragm and a displacement transducer that
converts his motion into an electrical signal.
 Microphones/hydrophones differ by their sensitivity,
direction characteristics, frequency bandwidth,
dynamic range.
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
 In the past, resistive pressure converters were
Resistive Microphones used quite extensively in microphones. The
converter consisted of a semiconductive powder
(usually graphite) whose bulk resistivity was
sensitive to pressure. Currently, we would say
that the powder possessed piezoresistive
properties. However, these early devices had
quite a limited dynamic range, poor frequency
response, and a high noise floor. Presently, the
same piezoresistive principle can be employed
in the micromachined sensors, where stress-
sensitive resistors are the integral parts of a
silicon diaphragm.
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
Condenser/Capacitive  Condenser microphones is another way to
say “capacitive” microphones.
Microphones
 A capacitive microphone linearly converts a
distance between the plates into electrical
voltage which can be further amplified. The
device essentially requires a source of an
electric charge q whose magnitude directly
determines the microphone sensitivity. The
charge can be provided either from an
external power supply having a voltage in the
range from 20 to 200 V or from an internal
source capable of producing such a charge.
This is accomplished by a built-in electret
layer which is a polarized dielectric crystal.
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
 Suitable where capacitive measurements are

Fiber-Optic Microphones impossible (such as inside of a rocket engine

under high heat and strong vibrations).
 A single-mode temperature insensitive
interferometer+reflective plate diaphragm.
 The interferometer emits a laser beam that is used
to detect the plate deflection which is directly
related to the acoustic pressure. The phase of the
reflected light will vary and differ from the
reflected reference light. Since both sensing and
reference light travel in the same light guide, they
interfere resulting in light intensity modulation.
 Such microphones can detect diaphragm
movement in the order of 10−10 m.
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
 A piezoelectric crystal is a direct converter
Piezoelectric Microphones of a mechanical stress into an electric
charge. The most frequently used material
for the sensor is a piezoelectric ceramic,
which can operate up to a very high
frequency limit. It consists of a piezoelectric
ceramic disk with two electrodes deposited
on each side. The electrodes are connected
to wires either by electrically conductive
epoxy or by soldering. Because the output
impedance of such a microphone is very
large, a high-input-impedance amplifier is
required.
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
 An electret is a close relative of
Electret Microphones piezoelectric and pyroelectric materials. An
electret is a permanently electrically
polarized crystalline dielectric material. An
electret microphone is an electrostatic
transducer consisting of a metallized
electret and backplate separated from the
diaphragm by an air gap. Because the
electret is permanently polarized, there is an
electric field in the air gap. When an
acoustic wave hits the device, the air gap is
altered (in other words reduced).
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
 Acoustic sensors is broader than detecting
Acoustic Wave Sensors sound. They became increasingly popular
for detecting mechanical vibrations in a
solid for the fabrication of such sensors as
microbalances and surface acoustic-wave
(SAW) devices. Applications range over
measuring displacement, concentration of
compounds, stress, force, temperature, and
so forth. All such sensors are based on
elastic motions in solid parts of the sensor
and their major use is serving as parts in
other, more complex sensors.
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
 Detection mechanism of acoustic wave
Solid-State Acoustic Detectors sensors is a mechanical (or acoustic wave).
As the acoustic wave propagates through/on
the surface of the material.
 Most of the acoustic wave devices and
sensors use a piezoelectric material to
generate the acoustic wave. Piezoelectricity
refers to the production of electrical charges
by the imposition of mechanical stress.
Piezoelectric acoustic wave sensors apply
an oscillating electric field to create a
mechanical wave, which propagates
through the substrate and is then converted
back to an electric field for measure.
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
 An ultrasonic sensor is an instrument that
Ultrasonic Sensors measures the distance to an object using
ultrasonic sound waves. An ultrasonic
sensor uses a transducer to send and receive
ultrasonic pulses that relay back information
about an object's proximity.
 Ultrasonic sensors are used primarily as
proximity sensors. They can be found in
automobile self-parking or anti-collision
safety systems. They are also used in
robotic obstacle detection systems, as well
as manufacturing technology.
 TYPES OF ACOUSTIC SENSORS
 NASA Langley Research Center scientists have developed a
Infrasonic Sensors microphone that detects infrasound, i.e., acoustic waves ranging
from 20 Hz frequencies down to dc. Infrasound is emitted in a
number of hazardous atmospheric phenomena, including aircraft
wake vortices, clear air turbulence, and tornadoes. It is also emitted
by seismic events, such as underground nuclear tests, digging of
tunnels, etc.
 NASA's infrasound sensor is a highly refined microphone that is
capable of detecting acoustic waves from 20 Hz down to dc, the
infrasound range. The design is robust and compact, eliminating
the bulk and weight found in other technologies. Where most
alternative methods are restricted to certain weather conditions and
locations, the NASA sensor filters noise from wind and other
sources, allowing its use under any weather or geographic
conditions.
 APPLICATIONS

EXAMPLES
Hydrophones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFomVoL92oM
Acoustic Wave Sensors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0MJstxNDQM
Distributed Acoustic Sensor(Fiber) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giySIlBbm5g
Infrasound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVWOA5pZG6o
Acoustic Emission https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aUOF787c3w
 EXAMPLE
 As known, ultrasonic sensors can easily work with
many microcontrollers. Here, you see a basic
Arduino project that can be easily done with
Arduino uno and HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor.
 Necessary materials:
 Arduino Uno
 R3HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor
 Breadboard
 The wiring diagram of the circuit is as in the figure.
The aim here is to measure distance in inches or
cm (for metric system) using an ultrasonic sensor.
 Resources
 [1] Sessler, G. M. (1991). Acoustic sensors. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 26(1-3),
323-330.
 [2] Fraden, J., & Fraden, J. (2004). Handbook of modern sensors: physics, designs, and
applications (Vol. 3). New York: Springer.
 [3] Hoummady, M., Campitelli, A., & Wlodarski, W. (1997). Acoustic wave sensors:
design, sensing mechanisms and applications. Smart materials and structures, 6(6),
647.
 [4] https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LAR-TOPS-106 (citation: Infrasound Sensor
Technology. (n.d.). )