Principle Operation

-Practically all acoustic wave devices and sensors use a piezoelectric material to generate
the acoustic wave.

-Piezoelectricity essentially means electricity resulting from pressure. It refers to the

production of electrical charges as a result of mechanical stress.

-The sensors normally use two inter digital transducer (IDT) that can convert the
incoming signal into a mechanical wave signal trough a piezoelectric substrate.

-The transducers are interlocked electrodes in a comb-structure. What they do is turning

an electrical signal into a mechanical wave and convert it into a electrical signal again.

-The distance of these electrodes determines the frequency of the wave and can be used
to register torque or strain.

-As shown in the figure, 2 sets of Interdigital Transducers (IDT) are created on a
piezoelectric layer attached to a tiny substrate.

-Energize by an AC source to the Input IDT will close and open the gaps of the
finger electrodes, and thus surface deformation/ stresses transmitting through
the piezoelectric material

-The surface deformation/stresses will cause the change of finger electrodes in

the Output IDT

-Any change of material properties (chemical attacks) or geometry due to

torques will alter the I/O between the Input IDT and Output IDT.
-The sensing of contact environment or pressure can thus be accomplished

-The performance of these sensors can be changed by varying the length, width and
position of the IDT.