University Of Garmian

College Of Computer & Information Technology

Department Of Network

<<Sensors and their types >>

Prepared By :
Taha Azad Mohammed Amin
Hogr Goran jabbar
Baqr akram ismail
Hassan Abas AbdulAziz

Supervised By
Mrs.diman

2022-2023
What are Sensors?
The sensor may be defined as a machine, module,
subsystem, or device whose purpose is to detect changes
and events in the environment. The information
regarding these changes is further sent to various other
electronics mostly comprising of a computer processor. A
sensor is always used along with an electronic device.
Sensors are used in various everyday objects comprising
of lamps with touch sensation which dim and light up by
touching the base and touch-sensitive elevator buttons.
With time, there have been advances in micromachinery
and microcontroller platforms that are easy to use.
With time, the uses of sensors have increased beyond
pressure or flow measurement and traditional fields of
temperature. Analog sensors such as force-sensing
resistors and potentiometers are widely in use even today.
The applications comprise airplanes and aerospace,
medicine, cars, manufacturing and machinery, robotics,
and various other aspects related to daily life. There are
various sensors available that are used for measuring the
physical and chemical properties of materials.
Now let’s read about the classification of sensors after
which we will go through the types of sensors and
how sensors work.
Classification of Sensors
Sensors are classified on the basis of the output signal,
physical parameters measured by them, and various
other points. Sensors on the basis of the output signal are
classified into analog and digital output sensors.
The output given by the sensors in the case of analog
output sensors is an analog voltage that can be measured
and used for determining the required physical
parameter. This is done by making use of the sensor’s
transfer function. It may be resistive, capacitive, or
anything which is analog.
The digital data which can be read via parallel or serial
communication buses is the output of digital output
sensors. The format for the data, in this case, is
demonstrated in the sensor’s datasheet. An
accelerometer sensor is an example of a digital sensor
that is used for sending the output data by using the I2C
two-wire bus.
The sensors are further classified on the basis of physical
parameters; these types may be used for measuring
anything. The most common sensors are tilt sensor,
magnetic sensor, cameras, color sensor, pressure sensor,
fingerprint sensor, current sensor, light sensor, etc.
Different Types of Sensors with Their Applications
In daily life, it has become our habit to implement various
types of sensors frequently in the power systems
comprising of load control systems, electrical and
electronics appliances, and industrial and home
automation. All types of sensors are further divided into
analog and digital sensors.
However, there are few types of sensors that are used in
electronic applications such as pressure sensors, touch
sensors, IR sensors, ultrasonic sensors, temperature
sensors, proximity sensors, and so on.
Temperature Sensors:
Temperature is the commonly measured environmental
quantity for various reasons. There are different types of
temperature sensors that are used for measuring
temperature such as thermistors, resistance temperature
detectors, thermocouples, semiconductor temperature
sensors, and so on.
On the basis of requirements, various types of sensors are
used for the purpose of measuring temperature in
different applications. A simple temperature sensor with
a circuit may be used for switching the load on and off at
a specific temperature.
This temperature is detected by the temperature sensor,
in these cases, a thermistor is put to use. The temperature
sensor circuit comprises a thermistor, transistor, relay,
and battery. The temperature sensor activates the relay
by detecting the required temperature.
The relay switches on the load that is connected to it
which can be AC or DC. This circuit may be further
utilized for the purpose of controlling the fan on the basis
of temperature. Primarily, this type of sensor may be
further classified into various other types such as digital
temperature sensors, thermistors, and so on.
IR Sensors:
The small photo chips comprising of photocells that are
used for detecting and emitting infrared light are termed
IR sensors. These sensors are most commonly used for
the purpose of designing remote-control technology.
These sensors may be used for detecting various obstacles
of the robotic vehicle and controlling the direction of the
same. There are different types of sensors that might be
used for the detection of infrared lights.
A simple example of an IR sensor circuit that we use in
our day-to-day life is a TV remote control. It comprises
IR receiver circuits and IR emitter circuits that may be
designed. The IR emitter circuit is used as a remote by
the user for the purpose of emitting infrared light.
This infrared light is transmitted or sent to the IR
receiver circuit which interfaces to the devices such as IR
remote-controlled robots or a TV. These sensors are
further used for designing television remote controls.
A TV remote is an example of a simple IR sensor-based
electronics project which is used for the purpose of
controlling a robotic vehicle in remote areas by using IR
or TV remote. This type of TV remote is being utilized
for sending commands to the robotic vehicle.
Ultrasonic Sensor:
An ultrasonic sensor or transceiver is a transducer that
works on the principle alike radar or sonar and is known
for estimating the attributes of the target by interpreting.
These sensors are classified as active and passive
ultrasonic sensors and maybe differentiated on their
working.
The active ultrasonic sensors are known for generating
high-frequency sound waves that are received back by
the ultrasonic sensor for the evaluation of echo. The time
interval taken for receiving and transmitting the echo
helps in the determination of the distance to an object.
However, the passive ultrasonic sensors are merely used
for the detection of ultrasonic noise whose presence can
be found in specific conditions. When it comes to the
practical application of an ultrasonic sensor with a
circuit, it may also be used as an ultrasonic distance
sensor circuit.

Touch Sensor:
The switches that are activated by touch may be said to
have touch sensors. These sensors are classified into
different types on the basis of their touch-type such as
piezo touch switch, capacitance touch switch, and
resistance touch switch.
For the purpose of controlling the load, a touch-sensitive
load is designed. The touch-controlled load switch which
is touch sensor principle-based comprises various blocks
such as touch sensor plate, load, relay, and power supply
block.
Proximity Sensor:
The proximity sensor is a type of IoT sensor in which the
existence and non-existence of the surrounding objects
are identified. After this, the detected signal is converted
into a form that the user understands.
This type of sensor is mainly applied in the retail domain
where any movement is found out and an association is
present between the consumer and product. The users
are provided with quick notifications related to exclusive
offers and discount updates of the products in which they
are interested.
Chemical Sensor:
A chemical sensor helps in determining various kinds of
changes in liquid and for detecting the air chemical
variations. These are mainly put to use in bigger cities
and towns as it is important to look after the changes for
providing safety to the people.
This type of sensor is essentially implemented in
commercially atmospheric observation. It is used for
processing management which may comprise of
fortuitously or intentionally evolved chemicals,
radioactive exposure, pharmaceutical industries, and
reusable operations in space stations.
The most commonly used chemical sensors include
chemical FET, electrochemical gas type, chemi resistor,
non-dispersive IR, zinc oxide nanorod, and fluorescent
chloride type.
Gas Sensor:
Gas sensors are similar to chemical sensors but are
specially implemented for observing modifications in the
quality of air. This is done to find out which types of gases
are present in it. This sensor is being used in multiple
domains such as health, manufacturing, agriculture, for
supervision of gas in coal industries, chemical laboratory
investigations, etc.
Some of the gas sensors that have been put to use include
hydrogen type, hygrometer, carbon-dioxide sensor,
ozone monitoring type, air pollution type, gas detection
type, etc.
Humidity Sensors:
Humidity is used for defining the vapor present in the
atmosphere or in gaseous substances. Humidity sensors
are used as temperature sensors as the manufacturing
operations require similar operating conditions. By
measuring humidity, it can be ensured that the complete
procedure will pass away easily.
In case of modification, immediate action can be taken as
these sensors are known for quickly identifying the
variations. There are numerous domains in which these
are used such as ventilators, residential and commercial
use for heating purposes, etc. Some other domains
include meteorology, greenhouses, automobile, painting,
coating industries, and hospitals.
photo-electric sensor
A photoelectric sensor emits a light beam (visible or
infrared) from its light-emitting element. A reflective-
type photoelectric sensor is used to detect the light beam
reflected from the target. A thrubeam type sensor is used
to measure the change in light quantity caused by the
target crossing the optical axis.
The most common example of the photoelectric effect is
solar panels to generate electricity. The solar panel
consists of metal that can help produce electricity when
the light rays hit the surface.

Acceleration Sensor:
An acceleration sensor is used for calculating the
acceleration and angular values. The accelerometer is
primarily used for calculating acceleration. There are
two types of forces that create an impact on the
accelerometer; these are static force and dynamic force.
These sensors are present in numerous configurations
and their type of selection is dependent on the industry’s
requirement. There are few parameters that are required
to be checked before selecting the sensors such as total
number of axes, bandwidth, sensitivity, type of outputs,
etc.
Sound Sensor:
Sound sensors can generally be identified as the
microphone devices that are used for delivering the
corresponding level of voltage and sound on the basis of
the sound level detection. By implementing the sound
sensor, a small robot may be manufactured for
navigation on the basis of sound received.
In comparison to light sensors, the design process of
sound sensors is complicated. The reason being the
delivery of minimal voltage difference by them. This is
further to be amplified for providing voltage variation
that is measurable.
Various other sensors include a light sensor, tactile
sensors, force sensors, etc. The types of sensors used in
building include motion detection sensors, camera
sensors, gas sensors, smoke and fire detection sensors,
electric voltage and current sensors, and temperature
sensors
Strain and Weight Sensor
Strain and weight sensors measure the amount of force
or pressure being applied to an object, and can be used to
measure weight, force, and strain.
These sensors can be used in medical, industrial, and
automotive applications, such as monitoring the pressure
of a patient's blood, measuring the strain of a machine,
or detecting the weight of a car.
Gyroscope Sensor
Gyro sensors, also known as angular rate sensors or
angular velocity sensors, are devices that sense angular
velocity. Angular velocity. In simple terms, angular
velocity is the change in rotational angle per unit of time.
Angular velocity is generally expressed in deg/s (degrees
per second).
best example for it's use is when playing mobile racing
games.

Uses of Sensors
If we look around carefully, sensors are used in many
products that we use in our day-to-day life. Sensors are
used in various industries comprising automotive,
medical, aerospace, defense, and agriculture.
Position sensors are used for the purpose of measuring
movement, displacement, and position and maybe rotary
or linear. These are used for controlling the throttle,
measuring wind direction, positioning the ramp and
bridge, simulating flights, and steering angle
measurement.
Pressure sensors are being used for measuring pressure
and can be a differential, gauge, or absolute. The most
common types of pressure sensors that are used comprise
transducers which are also known as pressure switches
or pressure transmitters.
Some of the areas of pressure sensor application are oil
pressure, tire pressure, vehicle braking systems, oil
pressure, fans, filters, and diesel and engines
applications. The force sensors also known as load cells
or weight sensors are used for weighing applications in
scales.
The weight sensors are known for giving the exact weight
measurement by measuring the amount of force that is
being applied. The load sensors are used in counting
scales, hopper scales, platform scales, tank weighing, and
on-boarding weighing.
Temperature sensors are put to use when it comes to
monitoring and measuring the temperature of liquid,
solid, and gas. It is the most commonly used sensor in
homes and it is used in various shapes and sizes for
serving different purposes.
This type of sensor is used in motors, surface plates,
computers, industrial equipment, electrical radiators,
exhaust gas monitoring, and home appliances. Sensors
are highly beneficial and are used in various equipment
used in our daily lives.

How do Sensors work?

Sensors are known to react as per the changing physical
conditions by bringing a change in their electrical
properties. It has been observed that artificial sensors in
most cases rely on electronic systems for analyzing,
capturing, and relaying environment information.
In simple words, it can be said that a sensor converts the
stimuli such as sound, motion, heat, and light into
electrical signals. These signals are passed through an
interface that further converts these into a binary code
passing them on to a computer to get processed.
Mostly, the sensors act as a switch and are used for
controlling the flow of electric charges passing via the
circuit. Switches form an important part of electronics as
these are known for changing the state of the circuit.
The components present in sensors such as transistors,
diodes, and integrated circuits or chips consist of
semiconducting material. These materials are included in
the sensor circuits so that they can be used as switches.
Mostly, sensors use radiation such as laser or light,
infrared radio waves, or other waves such as ultrasonic
ones for detecting the changes and objects present in the
environment. This is possible if they have an energy
source that assists them in emitting radiation in the
direction of their target object.
This radiation is reflected back by the object and gets
detected by the sensor; it is termed an active sensor.
Passive sensors don’t send radiation or waves that are
their own and detect what is being emitted by the target
objects such as thermal infrared radiation, heat, or
radiation from external sources like Sun reflected off the
objects.
Pros and Cons of Different Sensors
Now let’s go through the pros of different sensors. When
it comes to a touch sensor, the axle hole present in the
sensor area may be used for creating its own bumper. The
color sensor is known for detecting color, avoiding
ambient light, and following lines.
The gyro sensor can be used for accurately turning and
measuring the robot turning. An infrared sensor helps in
finding the beacon and remote receiver. It is known for
working and helping in measuring the proximity
accurately.
An ultrasonic sensor measures in and cm and provides
accurate distance measurement and wall following.
These were the pros of different sensors, let’s know
the cons of different sensors. The con in the case of a
touch sensor is that the object must touch the sensor’s red
part and its sensor area is small.
The color sensor is known to be reliable only when it is at
a close range and the light color that it detects is white. In
the case of a gyro sensor, the robot is required to be still
when it is plugged. It can be unreliable and touch many
times.
The other cons of different sensors include the sound of
ultrasonic which may interfere with the sensor. The
infrared sensor is not allowed in FLL and is not measured
in cm or in.