UNIT II

Sensors are used for sensing things and devices etc.

A device that provides a usable output in response to a specified
measurement.
The sensor attains a physical parameter and converts it into a signal
suitable for processing (e.g. electrical, mechanical, optical) the
characteristics of any device or material to detect the presence of a
particular physical quantity.
The output of the sensor is a signal which is converted to a human-
readable form like changes in characteristics, changes in resistance,
capacitance, impedance, etc.

Transducer:
 A transducer converts a signal from one physical structure to
another.
 It converts one type of energy into another type.
 It might be used as actuator in various systems.

Sensor Classification:
 Passive & Active
 Analog & digital
 Scalar & vector
1. Passive Sensor –
Cannot independently sense the input. Ex- Accelerometer, soil
moisture, water level and temperature sensors.
2. Active Sensor –
Independently sense the input. Example- Radar, sounder and laser
altimeter sensors.
3. Analog Sensor –
The response or output of the sensor is some continuous function of
 its input parameter. Ex- Temperature sensor, LDR, analog pressure
sensor and analog hall effect.
4. Digital sensor –
Response in binary nature. Design to overcome the disadvantages
of analog sensors. Along with the analog sensor, it also comprises
extra electronics for bit conversion. Example – Passive infrared
(PIR) sensor and digital temperature sensor(DS1620).
5. Scalar sensor –
Detects the input parameter only based on its magnitude. The
answer for the sensor is a function of magnitude of some input
parameter. Not affected by the direction of input parameters.
Example – temperature, gas, strain, colour and smoke sensor.
6. Vector sensor –
The response of the sensor depends on the magnitude of the
direction and orientation of input parameter. Example –
Accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic field and motion detector
sensors.

Active Sensors:
Definition: Active sensors emit energy or signals into the environment
and then detect and measure the response. They actively generate a
signal to probe the surroundings.
Types: Radar, Lidar, Ultrasonic sensors.
Advantages:
- Higher accuracy in measuring distance and speed.
- Better performance in varying environmental conditions.
-Disadvantages:
- More power consumption due to the need to generate signals.
- Generally more complex and expensive.
Applications:
- Radar systems in aviation and weather forecasting.
- Lidar in autonomous vehicles for precise mapping and navigation.
- Ultrasonic sensors in industrial automation for distance measurement.

Passive Sensors:
- Definition: Passive sensors detect and respond to external stimuli or
radiation without emitting any energy or signals of their own.
- Types: Infrared sensors, Passive RFID, Photodiodes.
- Advantages:
 - Lower power consumption since they don't emit signals.
- Simplicity in design and often more cost-effective.
- Disadvantages:
- Less accurate in certain conditions compared to active sensors.
- Can be affected by external factors like weather or interference.
- Applications:
- Infrared sensors in security systems for motion detection.
- Passive RFID in asset tracking and identification.
- Photodiodes in optical communications and light detection.

Both active and passive sensors have their strengths and weaknesses,
making them suitable for different applications based on the specific
requirements of the system or task at hand.

Scalar Sensor:
- Definition: A scalar sensor measures scalar quantities, which have only
magnitude and no specific direction. Examples include temperature
sensors, pressure sensors, and light sensors.
- Advantages: They are often simpler and less costly to produce
compared to vector sensors. They provide straightforward readings
without needing complex calibration for direction.
- Disadvantages: They can't detect directional information, limiting their
applicability in situations where direction matters.
- Applications: Used in various fields such as weather monitoring,
industrial process control, and healthcare for measuring parameters like
temperature, pressure, and radiation.

Vector Sensor:
- Definition: A vector sensor measures both magnitude and direction of a
physical quantity. Examples include accelerometers, magnetometers, and
gyroscopes.
- Advantages: Provide more comprehensive data by capturing both
magnitude and direction, allowing for more detailed analysis and
understanding of phenomena.
- Disadvantages: Often more complex and costly due to the need for
additional components to detect direction. They might also require more
sophisticated calibration.
- Applications: Widely used in navigation systems, robotics, aerospace,
and geophysical exploration where precise orientation or direction data
is crucial.

Analog Sensor:
- Definition: An analog sensor measures a continuous signal and
translates it into an analog output.
- Types: Thermistors, photocells, pressure sensors.
- Advantages: Simplicity, often cost-effective, can provide real-time
data.
- Disadvantages: Susceptible to noise, less precise than digital sensors.
- Applications: Temperature monitoring, light detection, pressure
measurement.

Digital Sensor:
- Definition: A digital sensor converts physical quantities into digital
signals (1s and 0s).
- Types: Digital thermometers, digital cameras, motion sensors.
- Advantages: Higher accuracy, less susceptible to interference, easier
integration with digital systems.
- Disadvantages: Can be costlier, more complex to design and
calibrate.
- Applications: Environmental monitoring, robotics, consumer
electronics.

Applications:
Sensors play a crucial role in IoT (Internet of Things) systems, enabling
the collection of real-time data for various applications:

1. Smart Home Automation: Sensors monitor temperature, humidity,

motion, and light, regulating home systems like HVAC, lighting, and
security.

2. Industrial IoT (IoT): Sensors in manufacturing track equipment

health, monitor machinery performance, and manage inventory,
enhancing efficiency and predictive maintenance.
3. Environmental Monitoring: Sensors measure air quality, pollution
levels, weather conditions, and soil moisture, aiding in environmental
management and urban planning.

4. Healthcare: Wearable sensors monitor vital signs, activity levels, and

glucose levels, enabling remote patient monitoring and personalized
healthcare.

5. Smart Agriculture: Sensors track soil moisture, temperature, and crop

health, optimizing irrigation, and increasing agricultural productivity.

6. Transportation and Logistics: Sensors in vehicles provide real-time

data on location, speed, and condition of goods, enhancing fleet
management and logistics.

7. Retail and Inventory Management: Sensors track inventory levels,

monitor shelf life, and analyse consumer behaviour for optimized stock
management and customer experience.

8. Energy Management: Sensors monitor energy consumption, detect

faults, and optimize usage in buildings and smart grids, promoting
energy efficiency.

The integration of sensors in IoT systems enables data-driven decision-

making, automation, and improved efficiency across various domains,
ultimately enhancing our daily lives and business operations.