Lebanese International University

School of Engineering
Department of Biomedical Engineering
EENG424L- Medical Instrumentation I Lab
Report Number: 3
Report Title: Light Sensor
Campus: Bekaa
Lab Instructor: Ms. Nancy Kozah
Section: A
Submitted by: Ahmed Orra
Hussein Shayah

Date: 12/1/2020
Introduction:
LDR sensor stands for Light Dependent Resistor or Photoresistor, which is a passive electronic
component, basically a resistor which has a resistance that varies depending of the light intensity.
A Light Sensor generates an output signal indicating the intensity of light by measuring the
radiant energy that exists in a very narrow range of frequencies basically called “light”, and
which ranges in frequency from “Infra-red” to “Visible” up to “Ultraviolet” light spectrum
("Light Sensors", 2019). It is a passive devices that convert this “light energy” whether visible or
in the infra-red parts of the spectrum into an electrical signal output; For instance, when the LDR
is in darkness, then it can be used to turn ON a light or to turn OFF a light when it is in the light.
However it is used in many medical instruments such as Photo_ plethysmography (PPG).
The LDR sensor in PPG by simply shining a light on a patch of skin with an LED light source,
the increased pulse pressure will cause a measurable difference in the amount of light reflected
back onto or transmitted through to a light sensor. The LED light should be placed in an area
where arteries are close to the skin, such as a fingertip, or an earlobe. (Soehn, 2020)
Equipment:
 2 resistors (1k ohm, 100k ohm).
 2 transistors.
 1 LDR sensor.
 3 LEDs.
 DC Battery (12v).
Procedure:
 Build the light sensing circuit as shown in the circuit below:
Figure showing Light sensor circuit

 Put your hand or your finger above the LDR sensor.

 Observe the LEDs.

Results:
o When the circuit was exposed to light, the 3 LEDs remains off as shown in the
figure below:
o However when the circuit was in the dark or sensor covered, the 3 LEDs glow as
shown in the figure below:
Conclusion: A photoresistor or light dependent resistor is a component that
is sensitive to light. When light falls upon it then the resistance changes.
Values of the resistance of the LDR may change over many orders of
magnitude the value of the resistance falling as the level of light increases.
References
Light Sensors. (2019). Retrieved 19 January 2020, from https://www.electronics-
tutorials.ws/io/io_4.html

Soehn, A. (2020). Measuring the Heart - How do ECG and PPG Work? - iMotions. Retrieved 19 January
2020, from https://imotions.com/blog/measuring-the-heart-how-does-ecg-and-ppg-work/