ECE005

Duarte, John Paul D. Electronics 3

BSEE – 31A Assignment No.2

Define sensor

A sensor as an input device which provides an output (signal) with respect to a specific physical
quantity (input). The term “input device” in the definition of a Sensor means that it is part of a bigger
system which provides input to a main control system (like a Processor or a Microcontroller).

Another unique definition of a Sensor is as follows: It is a device that converts signals from one
energy domain to electrical domain. The definition of the Sensor can be understood if we take an
example in to consideration.

The simplest example of a sensor is an LDR or a Light Dependent Resistor. It is a device, whose
resistance varies according to intensity of light it is subjected to. When the light falling on an LDR is
more, its resistance becomes very less and when the light is less, well, the resistance of the LDR
becomes very high.

We can connect this LDR in a voltage divider (along with other resistor) and check the voltage drop
across the LDR. This voltage can be calibrated to the amount of light falling on the LDR. Hence, a
Light Sensor.

Sensors are an integral part of modern living. If you are reading this article on a computer, you are
most likely using a mouse, which contains an optical sensor. If you are on a smartphone, you are
using touch sensors every time you touch the screen. But what exactly is a sensor?

A sensor is a device that measures physical input from its environment and converts it into data that
can be interpreted by either a human or a machine. Most sensors are electronic (the data is
converted into electronic data), but some are simpler, such as a glass thermometer, which presents
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visual data. People use sensors to measure temperature, gauge distance, detect smoke, regulate
pressure and a myriad of other uses.

There are two types of electronic sensors: analog and digital. Analog sensors convert physical data
into an analog signal. Analog sensors are much more precise than digital sensors, which are limited
to a finite set of possible values. Below is a chart showing the difference between analog and digital
signals:

Because analog signals are continuous, they can account for the slightest change in the physical
variable (such as temperature or pressure). Digital signals, while following the general trend of
variation, are restricted to fixed data (ones and zeros). 

There are a multitude of types of sensors. In the average automobile alone, there are dozens of
different types of sensors. Tire pressure sensors indicate
whether a tire is flat or in need of more air. Self-driving cars
such as the Tesla are equipped with ultrasonic sensors that
measure the distance between the vehicle and other objects
in its environment using sound waves. Home security
systems use motion sensors, which detect the movement of
primarily larger objects. The most commonly used motion
sensor for home surveillance is called a Passive Infrared
(PIR) system, which detects infrared radiation in the sensor’s
environment.   
 
Sensor technology is also used frequently in medical
devices. Input sensors such as myo-electrodes are used in
prosthetic technology. Myo-electrodes detect electrical signal from a patient’s muscle
contractions.  Heartbeat sensors monitor and detect patients’ pulse, and thermometers measure
temperature. 

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, Thermo-optic, etc.The final classification of the sensors is Analog and Digital
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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.

Enumerate and discuss the different types of sensor (include photos and circuit diagram)

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 – A temperature sensor is an electronic device that measures the temperature
of its environment and converts the input data into electronic data to record, monitor, or signal
temperature changes.
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Proximity Sensor – A proximity sensor is a sensor able to detect the presence of nearby objects
without any physical contact. A proximity sensor often emits an electromagnetic field or a beam of
electromagnetic radiation, and looks for changes in the field or return signal.
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Accelerometer – An accelerometer is a tool that measures proper acceleration. Proper acceleration

is the acceleration of a body in its own instantaneous rest frame; this is different from coordinate
acceleration, which is acceleration in a fixed coordinate system.
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IR Sensor (Infrared Sensor) – A passive infrared sensor is an electronic sensor that measures
infrared light radiating from objects in its field of view. They are most often used in PIR-based motion
detectors. PIR sensors are commonly used in security alarms and automatic lighting applications.

Pressure Sensor – A pressure sensor is a device for pressure measurement of gases or liquids.
Pressure is an expression of the force required to stop a
fluid from expanding, and is usually stated in terms of
force per unit area. A pressure sensor usually acts as a
transducer; it generates a signal as a function of the
pressure imposed.
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Light Sensor – The light sensor is a passive device that convert this “light energy” whether visible or
in the infra-red parts of the spectrum into an electrical signal output. Light sensors are more
commonly known as “Photoelectric Devices” or “Photo Sensors” because the convert light energy
(photons) into electricity (electrons).

Ultrasonic Sensor – Ultrasonic transducers and

ultrasonic sensors are devices that generate or
sense ultrasound energy. They can be divided
into three broad categories: transmitters,
receivers and transceivers.

Smoke, Gas and Alcohol Sensor – Smoke Gas

Sensor Module is a general-purpose gas sensor
able to detect LPG, butane, methane, alcohol,
hydrogen, and smoke. This sensor has a high
sensitivity and fast response time. The module
outputs a voltage from 0 to 5V relative to the gas
concentration.
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Touch Sensor – A touch sensor is a type of equipment that captures and records physical touch or
embrace on a device and/or object. It enables a device or object to detect touch, typically by a human
user or operator. A touch sensor may also be called a touch detector. A touch sensor primarily works
when an object or individual gets in physical contact with it. Unlike a button or other more manual
control, touch sensors are more sensitive, and are often able to respond differently to different kinds
of touch, such as tapping, swiping and pinching. Touch sensors are used in consumer tech devices
such as smartphones and tablet computers. Typically, touch sensors are used as a means to take
input from the user. Each physical stroke that a touch sensor records is sent to a processing
unit/software that processes it accordingly. For example, when navigating through a smartphone or
using an application, the touch sensor captures the human touches or the applied pressure across
the screen. Each interaction with the user across the screen might have a different meaning for the
device and/or the application.
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Color Sensor – A color sensor is a type of "photoelectric sensor" which emits light from a transmitter,
and then detects the light reflected back from the detection object with a receiver.
A color sensor can detect the received light intensity for red, blue and green respectively, making it
possible to determine the color of the target object.

Humidity Sensor – A humidity sensor is a device that detects and measures water vapor. ... Based
on our robust capacitive technology, these humidity sensors provide accurate measurement of dew
point and absolute humidity by combining relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) measurements.
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Tilt Sensor – A tilt sensor is an instrument that is

used for measuring the change in tilt and monitoring
of inclination and vertical rotation in vertical
structures. Tilt sensor produces an electrical signal
which is proportional to the degree of tilt in multiple
axes (Uniaxial & Biaxial).
Flow and Level Sensor – Level sensors are used to
detect the level of substances that can flow. Such
substances include liquids, slurries, granular material
and powders. Level measurements can be done
inside containers or it can be the level of a river or
lake. Such measurements can be used to determine
the amount of materials within a closed container or
the flow of water in open channels.
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Discuss the uses and application of sensors (include photos)

Real Time Application 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.
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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.