Chapter Four

Sensors and Signal

Conditioning
 Sensors?

• American National Standards Institute

• A device which provides a usable output in response to a specified measuring

Input Signal Output Signal

Sensor

-A sensor acquires a physical quantity and converts it into a signal suitable for
processing (e.g. optical, electrical, mechanical)
-Nowadays common sensors convert measurement of physical phenomena into an
electrical signal
-Active element of a sensor is called a transducer
 Transducer?
• A device which converts one form of energy to another
• When input is a physical quantity and output electrical → Sensor
• When input is electrical and output a physical quantity → Actuator

Sensors Actuators

Physical Electrical Input

parameter

Electrical Output Physical Output

Some Sensing Terms …
• Sensor • Uncertainty
• Transducer • Error
• System of units • Hysteresis
• SI / Metric System • Dead band
• Accuracy • Spectrum
• Precision • Saturation
• Resolution • Passive/Active
• Range • Reliability (drift)
• Span • Digitization
• FSO • Frequency
• Nonlinearity
• Calibration
 Accuracy & Precision
• Accuracy: The measured value agrees with the actual value (e.g. 2º when it really
0º.)
• Precision (Repeatability): Variation of sensor measurements when the same
quantity is measured several times (e.g. ± 0.05% or ± 2º)
Resolution

• The smallest increments of stimulus which can be sensed

• The change in measured variable to which the sensor responds (e.g., 2º vs.
2.01º)
Range

• Range: Upper and lower limits of the variable that can be measured (e.g. -54º
to +120º)
– Span: The maximum and minimum values
Sensor as a Transfer Function
Types of sensors
Proximity Sensors
Mechanical Proximity Switches
Example Mechanical Proximity Switches
When to Use Mechanical Proximity Switches
Applications and Use of
Mechanical Proximity Switches
Optical Proximity Sensors
Operational Modes
Example Optical Proximity I
When to use an Optical Proximity Sensor
Applications of Optical Proximity Sensors
Ultrasonic Proximity Sensors
When to use Ultrasonic Sensors
Inductive and Capacitive Proximity Sensors
Example Inductive Sensors
Example Capacitive Sensors
Position and Velocity Measurement
Potentiometers
Types of Potentiometer
Linear Potentiometers
When to use a Potentiometer
Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT)
Example LVDTs
When to use an LVDT
Optical Encoders
Encoder Internal Structure
Incremental Encoders
Absolute Encoders
When to Use an Encoder
Tachometers
Force and Pressure
LVDT Load Cell
Strain Gauge Bridge
Example Load Cells
Sub-miniature Load cells
Piezo Load Cells
Pressure
Acceleration
Tri-axial Accelerometers
 Accelerometer Applications

• Automotive: monitor vehicle tilt, roll, skid, impact, vibration, etc., to deploy
safety devices (stability control, anti-lock breaking system, airbags, etc.) and to
ensure comfortable ride (active suspension)
• Aerospace: inertial navigation, smart munitions, unmanned vehicles
• Sports/Gaming: monitor athlete performance and injury, joystick, tilt
• Personal electronics: cell phones, digital devices
• Security: motion and vibration detection
• Industrial: machinery health monitoring
• Robotics: self-balancing