Smart Sensors

Dr. Vikas Singh Bhadoria

A device that takes input from the physical environment and uses built-in
computational resources to perform predefined functions upon detection of
specific input and then process data before passing it on.
Smart sensors are built as IoT components that
convert the real-world variable that they’re
measuring into a digital data stream for
transmission to a gateway.
Introduction
• Smart sensors enable more accurate and automated collection of environmental data
with less erroneous noise amongst the accurately recorded information. These devices
are used for monitoring and control mechanisms in a wide variety of environments
including smart grids, battlefield reconnaissance, exploration and a great number of
science applications.
• The smart sensor is also a crucial and integral element in the Internet of Things (IoT)
• A smart sensor may also include several other components besides the primary
sensor. These components can include transducers, amplifiers, excitation control,
analog filters and compensation.
• A smart sensor also incorporates software-defined elements that provide functions
such as data conversion, digital processing and communication to external devices.
IoT Expectations with Smart Sensors
• Low cost, so they can be economically deployed in large numbers
• Physically small, to “disappear” unobtrusively into any environment
• Wireless, as a wired connection is typically not possible
• Self-identification and self-validation
• Very low power, so it can survive for years without a battery change, or
manage with energy harvesting
• Robust, to minimize or eliminate maintenance
• Self-diagnostic and self-healing
• Self-calibrating, or accepts calibration commands via wireless link
• Data pre-processing, to reduce load on gateways, PLCs, and cloud
resources
How do Smart Sensors Work?
Capture data from preferred
environments and transform
their physical properties into
measurable electrical signals.
The system finally
communicates the output
with receivers in the intended
devices for favorable
functioning.
The electrical signals are then
These properties include
processed by a
temperature, mass, speed,
microprocessor to give
pressure, or presence of heat
outputs that correspond to a
bodies like humans.
set of actions.
Depending on the functional
For favorable outputs, it
complexities and increased
might include more receivers,
feature demands, a system
transmitters, power sources,
may employ multiple sensors
etc.
of different capabilities.
Smart sensor building blocks. (Image: ©Premier Farnell Ltd.)

The application algorithms are
performed by a built-in
microprocessor unit (MPU).
The MPU’s intelligence can be used
for many other functions as well to
reduce the load on the IoT’s more
central resources ; for example,
calibration data can be sent to the
MPU so the sensor is automatically
set up for any production changes.
These can run filtering,
compensation, and any other
process-specific signal conditioning
tasks.
The MPU can also spot any
production parameters that start to
drift beyond acceptable norms and
generate warnings accordingly;
operators can then take
preventative action before a
catastrophic failure occurs.
 SMART SENSOR: A
PRACTICAL EXAMPLE
Thermal sensors
Automating room temperature in smart buildings and offices require thermal
sensors. They maintain a constant internal temperature, no matter how the
external temperature varies. These sensors also save energy by balancing the
temperature in tune with the climate.
Wind Sensors
Smart buildings need to respond to nature smartly. Wind sensors automate
the shutting down of dust skirts, storm shutters, or close retractable awnings if
strong winds are detected.
Smoke Sensors
Smoke sensors ensure home or building safety, as they give instant alerts and
trigger alarms in case of fire bursts. Thus, they drastically increase the chance
to escape from accident scenes.
Apart from the sensors mentioned, there are lots of other sensors in use in the
industry, like time sensors, location sensors, sound sensors, matter sensors,
Applications of Smart Sensors
Application Industries
Healthcare: The various benefits include:
• Monitoring hand hygiene compliance
• Occupancy monitoring
• Automate temperature and light settings
• Human-centric lighting
Warehouse and Manufacturing
• Smart sensors help manufacturing enterprises in improving employee well-being and profitable
process workflows.
• The sensors generate relevant information of various kind like, Historical data for decision making
• Alerts and reminders on maintenance and repairs
• Lighting automation to ensure active environments
• Improved space utilization
Contd...
Hospitality
• Thermostats and occupancy sensors allow smart energy-management that wisely utilizes
energy, besides automating temperature controls and light settings.
• Automated guest interactions
• Personalized experience delivery with guest data
• Self-check-in/check-out and automated room entry
• Push-notifications for room service
Offices
• Sensor-based technology is changing the way employees interact and work in
today’s offices. Smart-sensors are behind this transformation, ensuring improved
productivity and performance. The list goes on!
• Smart lighting for human-centricity
• Smart HVAC systems for automated climate control
• Intelligent conference room and occupancy data
• Indoor wayfinding and smart-navigation
Contd...
• Home Automation
• Today, there’s some sensor for every home function, or there will be
one soon. Sensors are the backbone of home automation that directs
smart devices on when to work and how to work.
• Automated device activation
• Mood lighting and temperature controls
• Pre-set routine schedules
• Theft and unauthorized access detection
References
• https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/smart-
sensor
• https://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/tb/pub/feat
ures/articles/33212