Sensor - Intro, working mechanism, latest Flashcards
Sensors Definition
A sensor transforms a stimulus into a measurable signal, which can subsequently be converted into an observable output for further processing.
Sensors System Design
Sensor Classifications, 4 types? and examples of each
- Mechanical: strain gage, displacement, accelerometer, force, pressure, etc
- Thermal: thermal couple
- Optical: camera, infrared sensor
- Chemical: moisture sensor, pH sensor
Resistor sensor equation
Capacitance sensor equation
Inductance sensor equation
Classification based on sensor placement 2 types?
- Contact sensors.
- Non-contact sensors
Passive sensor definition
Passive sensor: response to its environment so does not require a power source
Active sensor definition
Active sensor: requires a power source to emit a signal that is scatter back to the sensor
What are the Sensor Specifications, 10 types?
- Sensitivity
- Linearity
- Hysteresis
- Environmental Effects
- Drift
- Accuracy
- Precision (Repeatability)
- Threshold
- Range
- Resolution
Calibration
The calibration procedure involves the comparison of the output from the sensor with a known measurement system.
Sensitivity
- Sensitivity is a measure of the change in output of a sensor for a unit change in input.
- Sensitivity can be obtained from the gradient of a graph of output as a function of input
Linearity
A sensor is linear if the output is linearly proportional to the input i.e. corresponding values of input and output lie on a straight line and sensitivity is constant across the input range
* This is considered desirable!
* The sensitivity of a non-linear sensor varies across part or all of the input range
Hysteresis
For a given input, the output from the sensor varies depending on whether the input stimulus is increasing or decreasing at the time
* Hysteresis is normally expressed as a percentage of the full scale output reading
Environmental Effects? 3 things
Sensitivity drift defines the amount by which the sensitivity of a sensor varies with environmental conditions.
In general, the output of a sensor depends not only on the input but on environmental conditions, such as
* Ambient temperature
* Atmospheric pressure
* Relative humidity etc.