3.

SENSORS
3.1 INTRODUCTION

The Internet of Things is one of the most important and promising technological
topics today. Some market researchers estimate that there are more than 20
billion connected devices and counting. Around us, there are smartphones,
wearables, and other devices, all of which use sensors. Nowadays, sensors play
an important role in our everyday life and in IoT.

Sensors monitor our health status (e.g. a heartbeat), air quality, home security,
and are widely used in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to monitor
production processes. For these reasons, it is important to know how they work
and how we can use them to acquire information.

3.1.1 WHAT IS A SENSOR

Generally speaking, a sensor is a device that is able to detect changes in an

environment. By itself, a sensor is useless, but when we use it in an electronic
system, it plays a key role. A sensor is able to measure a physical phenomenon
(like temperature, pressure, and so on) and transform it into an electric signal.
These three features should be at the base of a good sensor:
 It should be sensitive to the phenomenon that it measures
 It should not be sensitive to other physical phenomena
 It should not modify the measured phenomenon during the
measurement process
A sensor can be described using several properties, the most important being:
 Range: The maximum and minimum values of the phenomenon that the
sensor can measure.
 Sensitivity: The minimum change of the measured parameter that
causes a detectable change in output signal.
 Resolution: The minimum change in the phenomenon that the sensor
can detect.
3.1.2 CLASSIFICATION OF SENSORS
There are several classifications of sensors made by different authors and
experts. Some are very simple and some are very complex.

The following classification of sensors may already be used by an expert in the

subject but this is a very simple classification of sensors.

In the first classification of the sensors, they are divided in to Active and Passive.
Active Sensors are those which require an external excitation signal or a power
signal. Passive Sensors, on the other hand, do not require any external power
signal and directly generates output response.

The other type of classification is based on the means of detection used in the
sensor. Some of the means of detection are Electric, Biological, Chemical,
Radioactive etc.

The next classification is based on conversion phenomenon i.e. the input and the
output. Some of the common conversion phenomena are Photoelectric,
Thermoelectric, Electrochemical, Electromagnetic, Thermooptic,etc.

The final classification of the sensors are Analog and Digital Sensors. Analog
Sensors produce an analog output i.e. a continuous output signal with respect to
the quantity being measured.Digital Sensors, in contrast to Analog Sensors, work
with discrete or digital data. The data in digital sensors, which is used for
conversion and transmission, is digital in nature.

3.1.3 TYPES OF SENSORS

The following is a list of different types of sensors that are commonly used in
various applications. All these sensors are used for measuring one of the physical
properties like Temperature, Resistance, Capacitance, Conduction, Heat Transfer
etc.

 Temperature Sensor
 Proximity Sensor
  Accelerometer
 IR Sensor (Infrared Sensor)
 Pressure Sensor
 Light Sensor
 Ultrasonic Sensor
 Smoke, Gas and Alcohol Sensor
 Touch Sensor
 Color Sensor
 Humidity Sensor
 Tilt Sensor
 Flow and level sensor

3.1.4 REAL TIME APPLICATIONS OF SENSORS

The example we are talking about here is the Autopilot System in aircrafts.
Almost all civilian and military aircrafts have the feature of Automatic Flight
Control system or sometimes called as Autopilot.
An Automatic Flight Control System consists of several sensors for various tasks
like speed control, height, position, doors, obstacle, fuel, maneuvering and many
more.

A Computer takes data from all these sensors and processes them by comparing
them with pre-designed values.The computer then provides control signal to
different parts like engines, flaps, rudders etc. that help in a smooth flight. The
combination of Sensors, Computers and Mechanics makes it possible to run the
plane in Autopilot Mode.

All the parameters i.e. the Sensors (which give inputs to the Computers), the
Computers (the brains of the system) and the mechanics (the outputs of the
system like engines and motors) are equally important in building a successful
automated system.
3.2. TEMPERATURE SENSOR

3.2.1 INTRODUCTION

One of the most common and most popular sensor is the Temperature Sensor. A
Temperature Sensor, as the name suggests, senses the temperature i.e. it
measures the changes in the temperature.In a Temperature Sensor, the changes
in the Temperature correspond to change in its physical property like resistance
or voltage.

There are different types of Temperature Sensors like Temperature Sensor ICs
(like LM35), Thermistors, Thermocouples, RTD (Resistive Temperature Devices),
etc.Temperature Sensors are used everywhere like computers, mobile phones,
automobiles, air conditioning systems, industries etc.

LM35 is a linear monolithic. It is a precision IC temperature sensor with its

output proportional to the temperature (in oC). The sensor circuitry is sealed and
therefore it is not subjected to oxidation and other processes. With LM35,
temperature can be measured more accurately than with a thermistor.It also
possess low self heating and does not cause more than 0.1 oC temperature rise in
still air. The operating temperature range is from -55°C to 150°C. The output
voltage varies by 10mV in response to every oC rise/fall in ambient
temperature, i.e., its scale factor is 0.01V/ oC.

3.2.2 FEATURES OF LM35

 Calibrated directly in Degree Celsius (Centigrade)

 Linear at 10.0 mV/°C scale factor
 0.5°C accuracy guarantee-able (at a25°C)
 Rated for full -55°C to a 150°C range
 Suitable for remote applications
 Low cost due to wafer-level trimming
 Operates from 4 to 30 volts
 Less than 60 mA current drain
 Low self-heating, 0.08°C instill air
 Non-linearity only 0.25°C typical
 Low impedance output, 0.1Ωfor 1 mA load
3.2.3 PIN DIAGRAM

3.2.4 PIN DESCRIPTION

Pin
Function Name
No
1 Supply voltage; 5V (+35V to -2V) Vcc
2 Output voltage (+6V to -1V) Output
3 Ground (0V) Ground

3.2.5 APPLICATIONS

There are Temperature Sensor applications in many industries including

medical, motorsport, HVAC, agriculture, industrial, aerospace and automotive.
Here are some of the specific temperature sensor applications which we have
come across.
·Home appliances – kettles, toasters, washing machines, dishwashers and
coffee machines will all contain temperature sensors.
·Computers– within computers there are temperature sensors to ensure the
system does not overheat
·Industrial equipment – temperature sensors used within these applications
will need to be robust as the environment can be very demanding.
3.3 ULTRASONIC SENSOR

3.3.1 INTRODUCTION
An Ultrasonic Sensor is a non-contact type device that can be used to measure
distance as well as velocity of an object. Ultrasonic detection is most commonly
used in industrial applications to detect hidden tracks, discontinuities in metals,
composites, plastics, ceramics, and for water level detection. An Ultrasonic
Sensor works based on the properties of the sound waves with frequency greater
than that of the human audible range. The most common ultrasonic sensor used
is hc-sr04.

3.3.2 FEATURES OF HC-SR04

 Operating voltage: +5V

 Theoretical Measuring Distance: 2cm to 450cm
 Practical Measuring Distance: 2cm to 80cm
 Accuracy: 3mm
 Measuring angle covered: <15°
 Operating Current: <15mA
 Operating Frequency: 40Hz

3.3.3 PIN DIAGRAM

3.3.4 PIN DESCRIPTION

Pin Pin Description

Numb Name
er

1 Vcc The Vcc pin powers the sensor, typically with +5V

2 Trigger Trigger pin is an Input pin. This pin has to be kept high for 10us to
initialize measurement by sending US wave.

3 Echo Echo pin is an Output pin. This pin goes high for a period of time
which will be equal to the time taken for the US wave to return back
to the sensor.

4 Ground This pin is connected to the Ground of the system.

3.3.5 APPLICATIONS
From level monitoring to ultrasonic profiling – ultrasonic sensors can be used
in a variety of applications. Ultrasonic technology and applications are
continuously expanding, and these sensors are steadily gaining recognition as
an industry standard .
Ultrasonic sensors are used for distance measuring applications. These gadgets
regularly transmit a short burst of ultrasonic sound to a target, which reflects the
sound back to the sensor. The system then measures the time for the echo to
return to the sensor and computes the distance to the target using the speed of
sound within the medium.
Some of the other applications of ultrasonic sensors are:

 Used to avoid and detect obstacles with robots like biped robot, obstacle
avoider robot, path finding robot etc.
 Used to measure the distance within a wide range of 2cm to 400cm
 Can be used to map the objects surrounding the sensor by rotating it
 Depth of certain places like wells, pits etc can be measured since the waves
can penetrate through water
3.4 PASSIVE INFRARED SENSOR

3.4.1 INTRODUCTION
The electronic sensor used to detect the movement of human being within a
certain range of the sensor is called as PIR sensor or passive infrared sensor
(approximately have an average value of 10m, but 5m to 12m is the actual
detection range of the sensor). PIR sensors are commonly called simply "PIR", or
sometimes "PID", for "passive infrared detector". The term passive refers to the
fact that PIR devices do not radiate energy for detection purposes. They work
entirely by detecting infrared radiation (radiant heat) emitted by or reflected
from objects.The most commonly used PIR sensor is HC-SR501.
These passive infrared sensors are flat control, consists of a wide range of lens,
and PIR sensors can be easily interfaced with electronics circuits. PIR sensors
detect general movement, but do not give information on who or what moved.
For that purpose, an active IR sensor is required.

3.4.2 FEATURES OF HC-SR501

 Wide range on input voltage varying from 4.V to 12V (+5V recommended)
 Output voltage is High/Low (3.3V TTL)
 Can distinguish between object movement and human movement
 Has to operating modes - Repeatable(H) and Non- Repeatable(H)
 Cover distance of about 120° and 7 meters
 Low power consumption of 65mA
 Operating temperature from -20° to +80° Celsius

3.4.3 PIN DIAGRAM

3.4.4 PIN CONFIGURATION

Pin Pin Name Description

Number
1 Vcc Input voltage is +5V for typical applications. Can
range from 4.5V- 12V.

2 High/Low Digital pulse high (3.3V) when triggered (motion

Ouput (Dout) detected) digital low(0V) when idle(no motion
detected.
3 Ground Connected to ground of circuit.

3.4.5 APPLICATIONS

 All outdoor Lights

 Lift Lobby
 Multi Apartment Complexes
 Common staircases
 For Basement or Covered Parking Area
 Shopping Malls
 For garden lights
 Automatic Street/Garage/Warehouse or Garden Lights
 Burglar Alarms
 Security cams as motion detectors
 Industrial Automation Control

When used as part of a security system, the electronics in the PIR typically
control a small relay. This relay completes the circuit across a pair of electrical
contacts connected to a detection input zone of the burglar alarm control panel.
The system is usually designed such that if no motion is being detected, the relay
contact is closed—a 'normally closed' (NC) relay. If motion is detected, the relay
will open the circuit, triggering the alarm; or, if a wire is disconnected, the alarm
will also operate.
3.5 INFRARED SENSOR

3.5.1 INTRODUCTION

An infrared sensor is an electronic device, that emits in order to sense some

aspects of the surroundings. An IR sensor can measure the heat of an object as
well as detects the motion.These types of sensors measures only infrared
radiation, rather than emitting it that is called as a passive IR sensor.The most
commonly used IR sensor is TSOP1738.

Usually in the infrared spectrum, all the objects radiate some form of thermal
radiations. These types of radiations are invisible to our eyes, that can be
detected by an infrared sensor.The emitter is simply an IR LED (Light Emitting
Diode) and the detector is simply an IR photodiode which is sensitive to IR light
of the same wavelength as that emitted by the IR LED.

When IR light falls on the photodiode, The resistances and these output voltages,
change in proportion to the magnitude of the IR light received.

When infrared sensor circuit is one of the basic and popular sensor module in
an electronic device. This sensor is analogous to human’s visionary senses, which
can be used to detect obstacles and it is one of the common applications in real
time.

3.5.2 FEATURES OF TSOP1738

 5VDC Operating voltage

 I/O pins are 5V and 3.3V compliant
 Range: Up to 20cm
 Adjustable Sensing range
 Built-in Ambient Light Sensor
 20mA supply current
 Mounting hole
3.5.3 PIN DIAGRAM

3.5.4 PIN CONFIGURATION

Pin Number Pin Name Description

1 VCC Power Supply Input

2 GND Power Supply Ground

3 OUT Active High Output

3.5.5 APPLICATIONS

 Obstacle Detection
 Industrial safety devices
 Wheel encoder
 Gas analyzers
 Flame monitors
 Radiation
 Radiation thermometers
 Motion analyzers
 IR imaging devices
 Night vision devices