21EES101T-ELECTRICAL AND

ELECTRONICSENGINEERING
UNIT 4
Unit-4 –Transducers and Sensors
Basic principles and classification of Instruments- Moving
Coil instruments, Moving Iron instruments, Digital
Multimeter, Digital storage Oscilloscope. Transducer-
Classification- Capacitive and Inductive transducers, Linear
Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT), Thermistors,
Thermocouple, Piezoelectric transducer, Photoelectric
transducer, Hall effect transducers, Introduction to Opto-
electronics Devices, Light Dependent Resistor (LDR),
Photodiodes, Phototransistors, Photovoltaic cells (solar cells),
Opto-couplers, Liquid crystal display, Proximity sensor, IR
sensor, Pressure sensor, Introduction to Bio sensor, Sensors
for smart building.
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NOTE:
1. MC instruments are used for the measurement of DC Quantities only.
2. MI instruments are used for the measurement of both DC & AC Quantities.

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Digital Multimeter (DMM)

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• Display − The DMM has an illuminated display screen for
better visualisation. Most DMM have four digit display,
the first of which can only be either a 0 or 1 and a + / -
indication as well. There may also be some more
indicators like AC / DC etc.
• Connection Ports − There are three or four ports
available on the front of the DMM. However, only two
are needed at a time. Typical ports of the DMM are −
• Common − It is used with all measurements. The negative
(black) probe is connected to this.
• VΩmA Port − This port is used for the most measurements
and positive (red)probe is connected to it.
• 10A Port − It is used to measure the large currents in the
circuits.
 Measurements using Digital
Multimeter
• In AC Voltage Mode − The applied input voltage is fed through a
calibrated,compensated attenuator, to a full-wave rectifier followed by a
ripple reduction filter.The resulting DC is fed to analog to digital converter
(ADC) and finally to the display system.
• For Current Measurement −
• In DC Current Mode − The drop across an internal calibrated shunt is
measured directly by the ADC.
• In AC Current Mode − After AC to DC conversion, the drop across the internal
calibrated shunt is measured by the ADC
• In Resistance Mode − In the resistance range, the digital multimeter
operates by measuring the voltage across the externally connected
resistor, resulting from a current flowing through it from a calibrated
internal current source.
• Special Function – In addition to AC,DC voltage, AC,DC current and Resistance
measurement, most of DMM have following special functions.
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Digital storage Oscilloscope (DSO)
Definition: The digital storage oscilloscope is an
instrument which gives the storage of a digital waveform or
the digital copy of the waveform. It allows us to store the
signal or the waveform in the digital format, and in the digital
memory also it allows us to do the digital signal processing
techniques over that signal. The maximum frequency
measured on the digital signal oscilloscope depends upon two
things they are: sampling rate of the scope and the nature of
the converter. The traces in DSO are bright, highly defined,
and displayed within seconds.
Block Diagram of Digital Storage Oscilloscope
The block diagram of the digital storage oscilloscope consists
of an amplifier, digitizer, memory, analyzer circuitry.
Waveform reconstruction, vertical plates, horizontal plates,
cathode ray tube (CRT), horizontal amplifier, time base
circuitry, trigger, and clock. The block diagram of the digital
storage oscilloscope is shown in the below figure.
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As seen in the above figure, at first digital storage oscilloscope digitizes
the analog input signal, then the analog input signal is amplified by
amplifier if it has any weak signal. After amplification, the signal is
digitized by the digitizer and that digitized signal stores in memory. The
analyzer circuit process the digital signal after that the waveform is
reconstructed (again the digital signal is converted into an analog form)
and then that signal is applied to vertical plates of the cathode ray tube
(CRT).
The cathode ray tube has two inputs they are vertical input and
horizontal input. The vertical input signal is the ‘Y’ axis and the
horizontal input signal is the ‘X’ axis. The time base circuit is triggered by
the trigger and clock input signal, so it is going to generate the time base
signal which is a ramp signal. Then the ramp signal is amplified by the
horizontal amplifier, and this horizontal amplifier will provide input to
the horizontal plate. On the CRT screen, we will get the waveform of the
input signal versus time.
The digitizing occurs by taking a sample of the input waveform at
periodic intervals. At the periodic time interval means, when half of the
time cycle is completed then we are taking the samples of the signal. The
process of digitizing or sampling should follow the sampling theorem.
The sampling theorem says that the rate at which the samples are taken
should be greater than twice the highest frequency present in the input
signal. When the analog signal is not properly converted into digital then
there occurs an aliasing effect. 25
DSO Operation Modes
The digital storage oscilloscope works in three modes of operations
they are roll mode, store mode, and hold or save mode.
Roll Mode: In roll mode, very fast varying signals are displayed on the
display screen.
Store Mode: In the store mode the signals stores in memory.
Hold or Save Mode: In hold or save mode, some part of the signal will
hold for some time and then they will be stored in memory.
These are the three modes of digital storage oscilloscope operation
Waveform Reconstruction
There are two types of waveform reconstructions they are linear
interpolation and sinusoidal interpolation.
Linear Interpolation: In linear interpolation, the dots are joined by a
straight line.
Sinusoidal Interpolation: In sinusoidal interpolation, the dots are
joined by a sine wave.

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The maximum frequency of the signal which is measured by the
digital oscilloscope depends on the two factors.
Theses factors are the
1. Sampling rate 2. Nature of converter.
Sampling Rate – For safe analysis of input signal the sampling
theory is used. The sampling theory states that the sampling rate of
the signal must be twice as fast as the highest frequency of the input
signal. The sampling rate means analogue to digital converter has a
high fast conversion rate.
Converter – The converter uses the expensive flash whose resolution
decreases with the increases of a sampling rate. Because of the
sampling rate, the bandwidth and resolution of the oscilloscope are
limited. The need of the analogue to digital signal converters can also
be overcome by using the shift register. The input signal is sampled
and stored in the shift register. From the shift register, the signal is
slowly read out and stored in the digital form. This method reduces
the cost of the converter and operates up to 100 megasample per
second.
Applications
The applications of the DSO are
• It checks faulty components in circuits
• Used in the medical field
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• Used to measure capacitor, inductance, time interval between signals,
frequency and time period
• Used to observe transistors and diodes V-I characteristics
• Used to analyze TV waveforms
• Used in video and audio recording equipment’s
• Used in designing
• Used in the research field
• For comparison purpose, it displays 3D figure or multiple waveforms
• It is widely used an oscilloscope
Advantages
The advantages of the DSO are
• Portable
• Have the highest bandwidth
• The user interface is simple
• Speed is high
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of the DSO are
• Complex
• High cost
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 Transducer
Transducer is a device which converts the energy from one
form to another form. This energy may be electrical, mechanical,
chemical, optical or thermal. The transducer that have electrical
energy in input or output is known as electrical transducer,
[Mostly output ].
The transducers are classified as (i) Active and (ii) Passive
transducers.
Active transducers, also known as self generating type, develop
their own voltage or current as the output signal. The energy
required for production of this output signal is obtained from the
physical phenomenon being measured.
Passive transducers, also known as externally powered
transducers, derive the power required for energy conversion from
an external power source.

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Comparison between active and
passive transducer

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A few examples of active and passive transducers are given in Table

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Basic requirements of a transducer are:
(i) Linearity: The input-output characteristics of the
transducer should be linear.
(ii) Ruggedness: The transducer should withstand
overloads, with measures for overload protection.
(iii) Repeatability: The transducer should produce
identical output signals when the same input signal
is applied at different times under the same
environmental conditions.
(iv) High stability and reliability: The output from the
transducer should not be affected by temperature,
vibration and other environmental variations and
there should be minimum error in measurements.

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(v) Good dynamic response: In industrial, aerospace
and biological applications, the input to the
transducer will not be static but dynamic in nature,
i.e. the input will vary with time. The transducer
should respond to the changes in input as quickly
as possible.
(vi) Convenient instrumentation: The transducer
should produce a sufficiently high analog output
signal with high signal-to-noise ratio, so that the
output can be measured either directly or after
suitable amplification.
(vii) Good mechanical characteristics: The
transducer, under working conditions, will be
subjected to various mechanical strains. Such
external forces should not introduce any deformity
and affect the performance of the transducer.
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Types of active and passive transducers

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 Displacement Transducer
Define : A Displacement Transducer is an electromechanical device
used to convert mechanical motion or vibrations into a variable
electric signals.
Types:
a. Capacitive Transducer
b. Inductive
b (i).Variable Inductance
b (ii). Linear Variable Differential Transformer [LVDT]

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Advantages, disadvantages and Applications of
LVDT
Advt: 1. High Range -1.25mm to 250mm.
2. Low hysteresis
3. Simple, light in weight and easy to maintain.
4. Low Power Consumption

Disadvt: 1. They are sensitive to stray magnetic fields

but shielding is possible.
2. Temperature affects the performance of
transducer.

Uses: 1. The LVDT can be used in all applications where

displacements ranging from fraction of a mm to a few
cm have to be measured.
2. Acting as a secondary transducer it can be
used as a device to measure force, weight and pressure.
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Thermoelectric Transducers
Define – Converts Temperature to electrical signal or electrical
signal to temperature.
Types -
1.Thermistor - Exhibits a large change in resistance
proportional to a small change in temperature.
2. Thermocouple - To convert thermal potential difference in to
electric potential difference.

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Thermistor
A thermistor (or thermal resistor) is defined as a type of
resistor whose electrical resistance varies with changes in temperature.
Although all resistors’ resistance will fluctuate slightly with
temperature, a thermistor is particularly sensitive to temperature
changes.
Thermistors act as a passive component in a circuit. They are
an accurate, cheap, and robust way to measure temperature.
While thermistors do not work well in extremely hot or cold
temperatures, they are the sensor of choice for many different
applications.
Thermistors are ideal when a precise temperature reading is
required.

The circuit symbol for a thermistor is shown below:

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Construction of Thermistor
A thermistor is made of oxides of metals such as Nickel, Manganese,
Cobalt, Copper, Uranium etc. It is available in a variety of shapes and
sizes. Commonly used for configurations are Disk type, Bead type and
Rod type.

The disc type thermistor and rod type thermistor is used when
greater power dissipation is required. The rod type thermistor has high
power handling capacity.
The smallest thermistor in these configurations is the bead
type thermistor. its diameter is low as 0.15 mm. The measurement
element is typically encapsulated in a glass probe. It is commonly used
for measuring the temperature of liquids.
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Working Principle of Thermistors
The thermistor works on the simple principle of change in
resistance due to a change in temperature. When the ambient
temperature changes the thermistor starts self-heating its elements. its
resistance value is changed with respect to this change in temperature.
This change depends on the type of thermistor used. The resistance
temperature characteristics of different types of thermistors are given in
the following section.
Types of Thermistors
The two basic types of thermistors available are the NTC and PTC types.
NTC Thermistor
NTC stands for Negative Temperature coefficient. They are ceramic
semiconductors that have a high Negative Temperature Coefficient of
resistance. The resistance of an NTC will decrease with increasing
temperature in a non-linear manner.
PTC Thermistor
PTC thermistors are Positive Temperature Coefficient resistors and are
made of polycrystalline ceramic materials. The resistance of a PTC will
increase with increasing temperature in a non-linear manner. The PTC
thermistor shows only a small change of resistance with temperature
until the switching point(TR) is reached.
The temperature resistance characteristics of an NTC and a PTC is
shown in the following figure. 45
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Advantages of thermistors
Less expensive.
More sensitive than other sensors.
Fast response.
Small in size.
Disadvantages of thermistors
Limited Temperature range.
Resistance to temperature ratio correlation is non-linear.
An inaccurate measurement may be obtained due to the self-heating
effect.
Fragile.
Applications of thermistors
NTC Thermistor Application:
Digital Thermostats.
Thermometers.
Battery pack temperature monitors.
In-rush-current limiting devices
PTC Thermistor Application:
Over-current protection
In-rush-current protection
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Thermocouple
Thermocouple, also called as thermoelectric thermometer,
a temperature-measuring device consisting of two wires of
different metals joined at each end. One junction is placed where the
temperature is to be measured, and the other is kept at a constant lower
temperature. A measuring instrument is connected in the circuit. The
temperature difference causes the development of an electromotive
force (known as the Seebeck effect) that is approximately proportional to
the difference between the temperatures of the two junctions.
Temperature can be read from standard tables, or the measuring
instrument can be calibrated to read temperature directly.

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 Any two different metals or metal alloys exhibit
the thermoelectric effect, but only a few are used as thermocouples—
e.g., antimony and bismuth, copper and iron, or copper and
constantan (a copper-nickel alloy). Usually platinum, either with
rhodium or a platinum-rhodium alloy, is used in high-temperature
thermocouples.
Thermocouple types are named
(e.g., type E [nickel, chromium, and constantan],
J [iron and constantan],
N [two nickel-silicon alloys, one of which contains chromium
and magnesium],
B [a platinum-rhodium alloy]) according to the metals used to make
the wires.
The most common type is K (nickel-aluminum and nickel-
chromium wires) because of its wide temperature range (from about
−200 to 1,260 °C [−300 to 2,300 °F]) and low cost.

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The applications of thermocouples are listed below:

It is used to monitor the temperature in the steel and iron

industries. For, this type of application, type B, S, R, and K
thermocouples are used in the electric arc furnace.
The principle of a thermocouple is used to measure the
intensity of incident radiation (especially visible and infrared light).
This instrument is known as a thermopile radiation sensor.
It is used in the temperature sensors in thermostats to
measure the temperature of the office, showrooms, and homes.
The thermocouple is used to detect the pilot flame in the
appliances that are used to generate heat from gas like a water
heater.
To test the current capacity, it is installed to monitor the
temperature while testing the thermal stability of switchgear
equipment.
The number of thermocouples is installed in the chemical
production plant and petroleum refineries to measure and monitor
temperature at different stages of the plant.
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 Piezoelectric Transducer [ Piezoelectric sensor ]

A piezoelectric transducer (also known as a piezoelectric

sensor) is a device that uses the piezoelectric effect to measure changes
in acceleration, pressure, strain, temperature or force by converting this
energy into an electrical charge.
A transducer can be anything that converts one form of energy
to another. The piezoelectric material is one kind of transducers. When
we squeeze this piezoelectric material or apply any force or pressure, the
transducer converts this energy into voltage. This voltage is a function of
the force or pressure applied to it.

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 A piezoelectric transducer consists of quartz crystal which is
made from silicon and oxygen arranged in crystalline structure (SiO2).
Generally, unit cell (basic repeating unit) of all crystal is symmetrical but
in piezoelectric quartz crystal, it is not. Piezoelectric crystals are
electrically neutral.
The atoms inside them may not be symmetrically arranged but
their electrical charges are balanced means positive charges cancel out
negative charge. The quartz crystal has the unique property of generating
electrical polarity when mechanical stress applied to it along a certain
plane. Basically, There are two types of stress. One is compressive stress
and the other is tensile stress.
When there is unstressed quartz no charges induce on it. In the
case of compressive stress, positive charges are induced on one side and
negative charges are induced in the opposite side. The crystal size gets
thinner and longer due to compressive stress. In the case of tensile stress,
charges are induced in reverse as compare to compressive stress and
quartz crystal gets shorter and fatter.

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Applications
Air Piezoelectric transducers are regularly utilized in automobile,
proximity, and level sensors. They are used in medical diagnostics,
infertility treatments, and in ultrasonic imaging for medical applications.
They are usually employed in residential products like motion
and object identifiers, home security alarms, and pest deterrents.
Producers apply them to popular electronic instruments such as games,
toys, and remote-control units. You can also find them in electric
toothbrushes, inkjet printers, and buzzers.
As piezoelectric materials cannot measure static variations,
these are basically employed for measuring plate roughness, in
accelerometers, and as a vibration detector. For instance, they are
utilized in seismographs to evaluate the vibrations in rockets, or in
strain gauges to estimate the vibrations of applied force and stress. They
are also utilized for researches on blast waves and high-speed shock
waves.
Piezoelectric transducers are also used by automotive producers
to evaluate detonations in engines. They are also employed in
automobile seat belts to lock in the reaction to a rapid reduction.

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 The sound pressure is transformed into an electric signal in
microphones and this signal is eventually increased to generate a
louder sound. In electric lighter in kitchens, when the pressure is
applied to the piezoelectric transducer, it produces an electric signal
which eventually causes the flash to fire up.
They are also employed in restaurants or airports. In this
condition, when a person steps near the door, the door opens
automatically using a Piezoelectric transducer. The concept utilized is
that when a person is near the door, an electric effect is generated and
the door opens automatically.

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 Hall Effect Transducer

The hall effect element is a type of transducer used

for measuring the magnetic field by converting it into an emf. The
direct measurement of the magnetic field is not possible. Thus the Hall
Effect Transducer is used. The transducer converts the magnetic
field into an electric quantity which is easily measured by
the analogue and digital meters.
Principle of Hall Effect Transducer
The principle of hall effect transducer is that if the current
carrying strip of the conductor is placed in a transverse magnetic field,
then the EMF develops on the edge of the conductor. The magnitude of
the develop voltage depends on the density of flux, and this property of
a conductor is called the Hall effect. The Hall effect element is mainly
used for magnetic measurement and for sensing the current.
The metal and the semiconductor has the property of hall effect which
depends on the densities and the mobility of the electrons.
Consider the hall effect element shown in the figure below. The
current supply through the lead 1 and 2 and the output is obtained
from the strip 3 and 4. The lead 3 and 4 are at same potential when no
field is applied across the strip.
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When the magnetic field is
applied to the strip, the
output voltage develops
across the output leads 3 and
4. The develops voltage is
directly proportional to the
strength of the material.

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The current and magnetic field strength both can be measured with
the help of the output voltages. The hall effect EMF is very small in
conductors because of which it is difficult to measure. But
semiconductors like germanium produces large EMF which is easily
measured by the moving coil instrument.
Applications of Hall Effect Transducer
The following are the application of the Hall effect Transducers.
1. Magnetic to Electric Transducer – The Hall effect element is used
for converting the magnetic flux into an electric transducer. The
magnetic fields are measured by placing the semiconductor material in
the measurand magnetic field. The voltage develops at the end of the
semiconductor strips, and this voltage is directly proportional to the
magnetic field density.
The Hall Effect transducer requires small space and also gives the
continuous signal concerning the magnetic field strength. The only
disadvantage of the transducer is that it is highly sensitive to
temperature and thus calibration requires in each case.
2. Measurement of Displacement – The Hall effect element measures
the displacement of the structural element. For example – Consider
the ferromagnetic structure which has a permanent magnet.
The hall effect transducer placed between the poles of the permanent
magnet. The magnetic field strength across the hall effect element
changes by changing the position of the ferromagnetic field. 58
3. Measurement of Current – The hall effect transducer is also
used for measuring the current without any physical connection
between the conductor circuit and meter.
The AC or DC is applied across the conductor for developing the
magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field is directly
proportional to the applied current. The magnetic field develops the
emf across the strips. And this EMF depends on the strength of the
conductor.
4. Measurement of Power – The hall effect transducer is used for
measuring the power of the conductor. The current is applied
across the conductor, which develops the magnetic field. The
intensity of the field depends on the current. The magnetic field
induces the voltage across the strip. The output voltage of the
multiplier is proportional to the power of the transducer.
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 Photoelectric Transducer

The photoelectric transducer can be defined as, a

transducer which changes the energy from the light to electrical. It can
be designed with the semiconductor material. This transducer utilizes
an element like photosensitive which can be used for ejecting the
electrons as the light beam soak ups through it. The electron
discharges can change the photosensitive element’s property. Therefore
the flowing current stimulates within the devices. The flow of the
current’s magnitude can be equivalent to the whole light absorbed with
the photosensitive element.
This transducer soak ups the light radiation which drops over
the semiconductor material. The light absorption can boost the
electrons in the material, & therefore the electrons begin to move. The
electron mobility can generate three effects like
The material resistance will be changed.
The semiconductor’s o/p current will be changed.
The semiconductor’s o/p voltage will be changed.

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Photoelectric Transducer Classification
These transducers are classified into five types which include the
following
•Photo emissive Cell
•Photodiode
•Phototransistor
•Photo-voltaic cell
•Photoconductive Cell

Working Principle
The working principle of Photoelectric Transducer can be classified
like photoemissive, photovoltaic otherwise photoconductive. In
photoemissive type devices, once the radiation drops over a cathode
can cause emission of electrons from the cathode plane. The output of
the PV cells can generate a voltage which is relative to the intensity of
radiation. The occurrence of radiation can be IR (infrared), UV
(ultraviolet), X-rays, gamma rays, and visible light. In photo-
conductive devices, the material’s resistance can be changed once it is
light up.

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 Applications of Photoelectric
Transducer
The applications of this transducer
mainly include the following.
•These transducers are used in
biomedical applications
•Pickups of pulse
•Pneumograph respiration
•Measure blood pulsatile volume
changes
•Records Body movements.

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 Introduction to Opto-electronics Devices

Definition : Converts light energy to electrical energy and vice versa.

Types:
• Laser diode, light-emitting diode - convert electrical power into
forms of light.
• Photodiode, photo resistor, phototransistor, photomultiplier tube,
solar cells - converts changing light levels into electrical form.
• The major developments of optoelectronic devices are:
1. They have a longer wavelength.
2. They are easily fabricated materials.
3. They are of low cost.
4. They have high optoelectronic conversion efficiency.
5. These are Nano-scale devices.
6. They have high power light sources.
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Light-dependent resistor (LDR) or Photo-resistor
or photocell or photo-conductive cell
A light dependent resistor is an electronic component that is
sensitive to light. When light falls upon it, then the resistance
decreases. Values of the resistance of the LDR may decrease over
many orders of magnitude the value of the resistance falling as the
level of light increases.
It is common for the values of resistance of an LDR to be
several megaohms in darkness and then to fall to a few hundred
ohms in bright light.
LDRs are made from semiconductor materials to enable
them to have their light sensitive properties. Many materials can be
used, but one popular material for these photoresistors is cadmium
sulphide. Also lead sulphide, PbS and indium antimonide are also
used to manufacture LDRs.

Symbols

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 Working Principle of light dependent resistor (LDR)

An LDR or photoresistor is made any semiconductor material with

a high resistance. It has a high resistance because there are very few
electrons that are free and able to move - the vast majority of the electrons
are locked into the crystal lattice and unable to move. Therefore in this
state there is a high LDR resistance.
As light falls on the semiconductor, the light photons are absorbed
by the semiconductor lattice and some of their energy is transferred to the
electrons.
The amount of energy transferred to the electrons gives some of
them sufficient energy to break free from the crystal lattice so that they can
then conduct electricity. This results in a lowering of the resistance of the
semiconductor and hence the overall LDR resistance.
The process is progressive, and as more light shines on the LDR
semiconductor, so more electrons are released to conduct electricity and
the resistance falls further.

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Characteristics of light dependent resistor (LDR)
Photoresistor/ LDR’s are light-dependent devices whose
resistance is decreased when light falls on them and that is increased
in the dark. When a light dependent resistor is kept in dark, its
resistance is very high. This resistance is called as dark resistance. It
can be as high as 1012 Ω and if the device is allowed to absorb light its
resistance will be decreased drastically. If a constant voltage is applied
to it and the intensity of light is increased the current starts increasing.
The figure below shows the resistance vs. illumination curve for a
particular LDR.

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Photoresistor / LDR structure
Structurally the photoresistor is a light sensitive resistor that has a
horizontal body that is exposed to light.
The basic format for a photoresistor is that shown below:

The active semiconductor region is normally deposited onto a semi-

insulating substrate and the active region is normally lightly doped.
In many discrete photoresistor devices, an interdigital pattern is used to
increase the area of the photoresistor that is exposed to light. The pattern
is cut in the metallisation on the surface of the active area and this lets
the light through. The two metallise areas act as the two contacts for the
resistor. This area has to be made relatively large because the resistance
of the contact to the active area needs to be minimised.

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Types of light dependent resistor
Light dependent resistors, LDRs or photoresistors fall into one of two
types or categories:
Intrinsic light dependent resistor : Intrinsic photoresistors use un-
doped semiconductor materials including silicon or germanium.
Photons fall on the LDR excite electrons moving them from the valence
band to the conduction band.
As a result, these electrons are free to conduct electricity. The more
light that falls on the device, the more electrons are liberated and the
greater the level of conductivity, and this results in a lower level of
resistance.
Extrinsic light dependent resistor : Extrinsic photoresistors are
manufactured from semiconductor of materials doped with impurities.
These impurities or dopants create a new energy band above the
existing valence band.
As a result, electrons need less energy to transfer to the conduction
band because of the smaller energy gap.
Regardless of the type of light dependent resistor or photoresistor, both
types exhibit an increase in conductivity or fall in resistance with
increasing levels of incident light.

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Applications of light dependent resistor (LDRs)
Photoresistors (LDRs) have low cost and simple
structure and are often used as light sensors. Other
applications of photoresistors include:
•Detect absences or presences of light like in a camera
light meter.
•Used in street lighting design (can be combined with
a good Arduino starter kit to act as a street light
controller)
•Alarm clocks
•Burglar alarm circuits
•Light intensity meters
•Used as part of a SCADA system to perform functions
such as counting the number of packages on a moving
conveyor belt

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ldr/ 69
 Photodiodes
Photodiodes are a class of diodes that converts light energy to
electricity. Their working is exactly the opposite of LEDs which are also
diodes but they convert electricity to light energy. Photodiodes can also
be used in detecting the brightness of the light.
A photodiode is a PN-junction diode that consumes light energy
to produce an electric current. They are also called a photo-detector, a
light detector, and a photo-sensor. Photodiodes are designed to work in
reverse bias condition. Typical photodiode materials are Silicon,
Germanium and Indium gallium arsenide.

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Photodiode Working
A photodiode is subjected to photons in the form of light which
affects the generation of electron-hole pairs. If the energy of the falling
photons (hv) is greater than the energy gap (Eg) of the semiconductor
material, electron-hole pairs are created near the depletion region of the
diode. The electron-hole pairs created are separated from each other
before recombining due to the electric field of the junction. The direction
of the electric field in the diode forces the electrons to move towards the
n-side and consequently the holes move towards the p-side. As a result
of the increase in the number of electrons on the n-side and holes on
the p-side, a rise in the electromotive force is observed. Now when an
external load is connected to the system, a current flow is observed
through it.
The more the electromotive force created, the greater the
current flow. The magnitude of the electromotive force created depends
directly upon the intensity of the incident light. This effect of the
proportional change in photocurrent with the change in light intensity
can be easily observed by applying a reverse bias.
Since photodiodes generate current flow directly depending upon the
light intensity received, they can be used as photodetectors to detect
optical signals. Built-in lenses and optical filters may be used to
enhance the power and productivity of a photodiode.
71
Applications of Photodiode
•Photodiodes are used in simple day-to-day applications. The reason
for their prominent use is their linear response of photodiode to light
illumination.
•Photodiodes with the help of optocouplers provide electric isolation.
When two isolated circuits are illuminated by light, optocouplers are
used to couple the circuit optically. Optocouplers are faster compared
to conventional devices.
•Photodiodes are used in safety electronics such as fire and smoke
detectors.
•Photodiodes are used in numerous medical applications. They are
used in instruments that analyze samples, detectors for computed
tomography and also used in blood gas monitors.
•Photodiodes are used in solar cell panels.
•Photodiodes are used in logic circuits.
•Photodiodes are used in the detection circuits.
•Photodiodes are used in character recognition circuits.
•Photodiodes are used for the exact measurement of the intensity of
light in science and industry.
•Photodiodes are faster and more complex than normal PN junction
diodes and hence are frequently used for lighting regulation and
optical communication.
https://byjus.com/physics/photodiodes-applications/ 72
 Phototransistors
A Phototransistor is an electronic switching and current
amplification component which relies on exposure to light to operate.
When light falls on the junction, reverse current flows which are
proportional to the luminance. Phototransistors are used extensively to
detect light pulses and convert them into digital electrical signals.
These are operated by light rather than electric current. Providing a
large amount of gain, low cost and these phototransistors might be
used in numerous applications. It is capable of converting light energy
into electric energy. Phototransistors work in a similar way to
photoresistors commonly known as LDR (light dependent resistor) but
are able to produce both current and voltage while photoresistors are
only capable of producing current due to change in resistance.
Phototransistors are transistors with the base terminal
exposed. Instead of sending current into the base, the photons from
striking light activate the transistor. This is because a phototransistor
is made of a bipolar semiconductor and focuses on the energy that is
passed through it. These are activated by light particles and are used
in virtually all electronic devices that depend on light in some way. All
silicon photosensors (phototransistors) respond to the entire visible
radiation range as well as to infrared.
73
Construction
A phototransistor is nothing but an ordinary bi-polar transistor in
which the base region is exposed to illumination. It is available in both
the P-N-P and N-P-N types having different configurations like common
emitter, common collector, and common base but generally, common
emitter configuration is used. It can also work while the base is made
open. Compared to the conventional transistor it has more base and
collector areas.
Ancient phototransistors used single semiconductor
materials like silicon and germanium but now a day’s modern
components use materials like gallium and arsenide for high-efficiency
levels. The base is the lead responsible for activating the transistor. It
is the gate controller device for the larger electrical supply. The
collector is the positive lead and the larger electrical supply. The
emitter is the negative lead and the outlet for the larger electrical
supply.

74
 With no light falling on the device there will be a small current
flow due to thermally generated hole-electron pairs and the output
voltage from the circuit will be slightly less than the supply value due to
the voltage drop across the load resistor R. With light falling on the
collector-base junction the current flow increases. With the base
connection open circuit, the collector-base current must flow in the
base-emitter circuit, and hence the current flowing is amplified by
normal transistor action.
The collector-base junction is very sensitive to light. Its working
condition depends upon the intensity of light. The base current from the
incident photons is amplified by the gain of the transistor, resulting in
current gains that range from hundreds to several thousand. A
phototransistor is 50 to 100 times more sensitive than a photodiode with
a lower level of noise.
A phototransistor activates once the light strikes the base
terminal & the light triggers the phototransistor by allowing the
configuration of hole-electron pairs as well as the current flow across the
emitter or collector. When the current increases, then it is concentrated
as well as changed into voltage.
Generally, a phototransistor doesn’t include a base connection.
The base terminal is disconnected as the light is used to allow the flow of
current to supply throughout the phototransistor. 75
Applications of Phototransistors
The Areas of application for the Phototransistor include:
Punch-card readers.
Security systems
Encoders – measure speed and direction
IR detectors photo
electric controls
Computer logic circuitry.
Relays
Lighting control (highways etc)
Level indication
Counting systems

76
77
Photovoltaic cells (solar cells)
A photovoltaic (PV) cell is an energy harvesting technology,
that converts solar energy into useful electricity through a process
called the photovoltaic effect. There are several different types of PV
cells which all use semiconductors to interact with
incoming photons from the Sun in order to generate an
electric current.
Layers of a PV Cell
A photovoltaic cell is comprised of many layers of materials,
each with a specific purpose. The most important layer of a
photovoltaic cell is the specially treated semiconductor layer. It is
comprised of two distinct layers (p-type and n-type—see Figure 2),
and is what actually converts the Sun's energy into
useful electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect (see
below). On either side of the semiconductor is a layer of conducting
material which "collects" the electricity produced. Note that the
backside or shaded side of the cell can afford to be completely
covered in the conductor, whereas the front or illuminated side must
use the conductors sparingly to avoid blocking too much of the Sun's
radiation from reaching the semiconductor.
78
The final layer which is applied only to the illuminated side of the cell
is the anti-reflection coating. Since all semiconductors are naturally
reflective, reflection loss can be significant. The solution is to use one
or several layers of an anti-reflection coating (similar to those used for
eyeglasses and cameras) to reduce the amount of solar radiation that
is reflected off the surface of the cell.

79
80
 Photovoltaic Effect

The photovoltaic effect is a process that generates voltage or

electric current in a photovoltaic cell when it is exposed to sunlight. These
solar cells are composed of two different types of semiconductors—a p-
type and an n-type—that are joined together to create a p-n junction. By
joining these two types of semiconductors, an electric field is formed in
the region of the junction as electrons move to the positive p-side
and holes move to the negative n-side. This field causes negatively
charged particles to move in one direction and positively charged particles
in the other direction.[5] Light is composed of photons, which are simply
small bundles of electromagnetic radiation or energy. When light of a
suitable wavelength is incident on these cells, energy from the photon is
transferred to an electron of the semiconducting material, causing it to
jump to a higher energy state known as the conduction band. In their
excited state in the conduction band, these electrons are free to move
through the material, and it is this motion of the electron that creates an
electric current in the cell.

81
 Solar Cell Efficiency
Efficiency is a design concern for photovoltaic cells, as there
are many factors that limit their efficiency. The main factor is that 1/4
of the solar energy to the Earth cannot be converted into electricity by a
silicon semiconductor. The physics of semiconductors requires a
minimum photon energy to remove an electron from a crystal structure,
known as the band-gap energy. If a photon has less energy than the
band-gap, the photon gets absorbed as thermal energy. For silicon, the
band-gap energy is 1.12 electron volts.Since the energy in the photons
from the sun cover a wide range of energies, some of the incoming
energy from the Sun does not have enough energy to knock off an
electron in a silicon PV cell. Even from the light that can be absorbed,
there is still a problem. Any energy above the band-gap energy will be
transformed into heat. This also cuts the efficiency because that heat
energy is not being used for any useful task.Of the electrons that are
made available, not all of them will actually make it to the metal contact
and generate electricity. Some electrons will not be accelerated
sufficiently by the voltage inside the semiconductor to leave the system.
These effects combine to create a theoretical efficiency of silicon PV cells
is about 33%.

82
 There are ways to improve the efficiency of PV cells, all of which
come with an increased cost. Some of these methods include increasing
the purity of the semiconductor, using a more efficient semiconducting
material such as Gallium Arsenide, by adding additional layers or p-n
junctions to the cell, or by concentrating the Sun's energy
using concentrated photovoltaics. On the other hand, PV cells will also
degrade, outputting less energy over time, due to a variety of factors
including UV exposure and weather cycles. A comprehensive report from
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) states that the median
degradation rate is 0.5% per year.
Types of PV Cells: Photovoltaic cell can be manufactured in a variety of
ways and from many different materials. The most common material for
commercial solar cell construction is Silicon (Si), but others include
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) and Copper Indium
Gallium Selenide (CIGS). Solar cells can be constructed from brittle
crystalline structures (Si, GaAs) or as flexible thin-film cells (Si, CdTe,
CIGS). Crystalline solar cells can be further classified into two
categories—monocrystalline and polycrystalline. As the names suggest,
monocrystalline PV cells are comprised of a uniform or single crystal
lattice, whereas polycrystalline cells contain different or varied crystal
structures.
https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Photovoltaic_cell
83
Optocoupler
An optocoupler (also called an opto-isolator, photocoupler,
or optical isolator) is an semiconductor device that transfers
electrical signals between two isolated circuits by using
light. Optocoupler prevent high voltages from affecting the system
receiving the signal.
Two parts are used in an optocoupler: an LED that emits
infrared light and a photosensitive device that detects light from the LED.
Both parts are contained within a black box with pins for connectivity.
The input circuit takes the incoming signal, whether the signal is AC or
DC, and uses the signal to turn on the LED.

84
 The photosensor is the output circuit that detects the light and
depending on the type of output circuit, the output will be AC or DC.
Current is first applied to the optocoupler, making the LED emit an
infrared light proportional to the current going through the device. When
the light hits the photosensor a current is conducted, and it is switched
on. When the current flowing through the LED is interrupted, the IR
beam is cut-off, causing the photosensor to stop conducting.

Types of Optocoupler

There are four configurations of optocouplers, the difference

being the photosensitive device used. Photo-transistor and Photo-
Darlington are typically used in DC circuits, and Photo-SCR and Photo-
TRIAC are used to control AC circuits. In the photo-transistor
optocoupler, the transistor could either be PNP or NPN. The Darlington
transistor is a two transistor pair, where one transistor controls the
other transistor’s base. The Darlington transistor provides high gain
ability.

85
An Optocoupler Can Effectively:
•Remove electrical noise from signals
•Isolate low-voltage devices from high-voltage circuits. The device is
able to avoid disruptions from voltage surges (ex: from radio frequency
transmissions, lightning strikes, and spikes in a power supply)
•Allow the usage of small digital signals to control larger AC voltages.
86
Advantages
•Optocouplers allow easy interfacing with logic circuits.
•Electrical isolation provides circuit protection.
•It allows wideband signal transmission.
•It is small in size and lightweight device.
Disadvantages
•The operational speed of Optocouplers is low.
•In case of a very high power signal, the possibility of signal
coupling may arise.
Applications
•It is used in high power inverters.
•It is used in high power choppers.
•In AC to DC converters optocouplers are widely used.

https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/Howitworks/what-is-an-optocoupler-
and-how-it-works.html
87
 Liquid crystal display (LCD)
A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat-panel display or
other electronically modulated optical device that uses the light-
modulating properties of liquid crystals combined with polarizers.
Liquid crystals do not emit light directly, instead using
a backlight or reflector to produce images in color or monochrome.
LCDs are available to display arbitrary images (as in a general-
purpose computer display) or fixed images with low information
content, which can be displayed or hidden. For instance: preset words,
digits, and seven-segment displays, as in a digital clock, are all good
examples of devices with these displays.
They use the same basic technology, except that arbitrary
images are made from a matrix of small pixels, while other displays
have larger elements. LCDs can either be normally on (positive) or off
(negative), depending on the polarizer arrangement. For example, a
character positive LCD with a backlight will have black lettering on a
background that is the color of the backlight, and a character negative
LCD will have a black background with the letters being of the same
color as the backlight. Optical filters are added to white on blue LCDs
to give them their characteristic appearance.
88
Construction of LCD
Simple facts that should be considered while making an LCD:
1. The basic structure of the LCD should be controlled by changing the
applied current.
2. We must use polarized light.
3. The liquid crystal should able be to control both of the operations to
transmit or can also able to change the polarized light.

As mentioned above that we need to take two polarized glass

pieces filter in the making of the liquid crystal. The glass which does
not have a polarized film on the surface of it must be rubbed with a
special polymer that will create microscopic grooves on the surface of
the polarized glass filter. The grooves must be in the same direction as
the polarized film.
89
 Now we have to add a coating of pneumatic liquid phase crystal
on one of the polarizing filters of the polarized glass. The microscopic
channel causes the first layer molecule to align with filter orientation.
When the right angle appears at the first layer piece, we should add a
second piece of glass with the polarized film. The first filter will be
naturally polarized as the light strikes it at the starting stage.
Thus the light travels through each layer and guided to the next
with the help of a molecule. The molecule tends to change its plane of
vibration of the light to match its angle. When the light reaches the far
end of the liquid crystal substance, it vibrates at the same angle as that
of the final layer of the molecule vibrates. The light is allowed to enter
into the device only if the second layer of the polarized glass matches
with the final layer of the molecule.
Working of LCD
The principle behind the LCDs is that when an electrical current
is applied to the liquid crystal molecule, the molecule tends to untwist.
This causes the angle of light which is passing through the molecule of
the polarized glass and also causes a change in the angle of the top
polarizing filter. As a result, a little light is allowed to pass the polarized
glass through a particular area of the LCD.
Thus that particular area will become dark compared to others.
The LCD works on the principle of blocking light. While constructing the
90
LCDs, a reflected mirror is arranged at the back. An electrode plane is
made of indium-tin-oxide which is kept on top and a polarized glass with
a polarizing film is also added on the bottom of the device. The complete
region of the LCD has to be enclosed by a common electrode and above it
should be the liquid crystal matter.
Next comes the second piece of glass with an electrode in the
form of the rectangle on the bottom and, on top, another polarizing film.
It must be considered that both the pieces are kept at the right angles.
When there is no current, the light passes through the front of the LCD it
will be reflected by the mirror and bounced back. As the electrode is
connected to a battery the current from it will cause the liquid crystals
between the common-plane electrode and the electrode shaped like a
rectangle to untwist. Thus the light is blocked from passing through.
That particular rectangular area appears blank.
Advantages
•LCD’s consumes less amount of power compared to CRT and LED
•LCD’s are consist of some microwatts for display in comparison to some
mill watts for LED’s
•LCDs are of low cost
•Provides excellent contrast
•LCD’s are thinner and lighter when compared to cathode-ray tube and
LED
91
Disadvantages
•Require additional light sources
•Range of temperature is limited for operation
•Low reliability
•Speed is very low
•LCD’s need an AC drive

Applications
LCDs are used in a wide range of applications, including LCD
televisions, computer monitors, instrument panels, aircraft cockpit
displays, and indoor and outdoor signage. Small LCD screens are
common in LCD projectors and portable consumer devices such
as digital cameras, watches, digital clocks, calculators, and mobile
telephones, including smartphones. LCD screens are also used
on consumer electronics products such as DVD players, video game
devices and clocks. LCD screens have replaced heavy, bulky cathode-ray
tube (CRT) displays in nearly all applications. LCD screens are available
in a wider range of screen sizes than CRT and plasma displays, with
LCD screens available in sizes ranging from tiny digital watches to very
large television receivers. LCDs are slowly being replaced by OLEDs.

https://www.elprocus.com/ever-wondered-lcd-works/
92
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 (infrared, for instance), and looks for
changes in the field or return signal. The object being sensed is often
referred to as the proximity sensor's target.
Different proximity sensor targets demand different sensors. For
example, a capacitive proximity sensor or photoelectric sensor might be
suitable for a plastic target; an inductive proximity sensor always
requires a metal target.
Operating Principles
Detection Principle of Inductive Proximity Sensors
Inductive Proximity Sensors detect magnetic loss due to eddy
currents that are generated on a conductive surface by an external
magnetic field. An AC magnetic field is generated on the detection coil,
and changes in the impedance due to eddy currents generated on a
metallic object are detected.

93
 Other methods include Aluminum-detecting Sensors, which
detect the phase component of the frequency, and All-metal Sensors,
which use a working coil to detect only the changed component of the
impedance. There are also Pulse-response Sensors, which generate an
eddy current in pulses and detect the time change in the eddy current
with the voltage induced in the coil.
The sensing object and Sensor form what appears to be a transformer-
like relationship.

The transformer-like coupling condition is replaced by

impedance changes due to eddy-current losses.
The impedance changes can be viewed as changes in the
resistance that is inserted in series with the sensing object. (This does
not actually occur, but thinking of it this way makes it easier to
understand qualitatively.)

94
Detection Principle of Capacitive Proximity Sensors

Capacitive Proximity Sensors detect changes in the capacitance

between the sensing object and the Sensor. The amount of capacitance
varies depending on the size and distance of the sensing object. An
ordinary Capacitive Proximity Sensor is similar to a capacitor with two
parallel plates, where the capacity of the two plates is detected. One of
the plates is the object being measured (with an imaginary ground),
and the other is the Sensor's sensing surface. The changes in the
capacity generated between these two poles are detected.
The objects that can be detected depend on their dielectric constant,
but they include resin and water in addition to metals.
Detection Principle of Magnetic Proximity Sensors
The reed end of the switch is operated by a magnet.
When the reed switch is turned ON,
the Sensor is turned ON.

95
 Applications

•Parking sensors, systems mounted on car bumpers that sense

distance to nearby cars for parking
•Inductive sensors
•Ground proximity warning system for aviation safety
•Vibration measurements of rotating shafts in machinery
•Top dead centre (TDC)/camshaft sensor in reciprocating engines.
•Sheet break sensing in paper machine.
•Anti-aircraft warfare
•Roller coasters
•Conveyor systems
•Beverage and food can making lines
•Mobile devices
•Touch screens that come in close proximity to the face
•Attenuating radio power in close proximity to the body, in order to
reduce radiation exposure
•Automatic faucets

https://www.omron-
ap.co.in/service_support/technical_guide/proximity_sensor/principles.
96
 IR Sensor
IR sensor is an electronic device, that emits the light in order to
sense some object of the surroundings. It measures and detects infrared
radiation in its surrounding environment.
There are two types of infrared sensors: active and passive.
Active infrared sensors both emit and detect infrared radiation. Active
IR sensors have two parts: a light emitting diode (LED) and a receiver.
When an object comes close to the sensor, the infrared light from the
LED reflects off of the object and is detected by the receiver. Active IR
sensors act as proximity sensors, and they are commonly used in
obstacle detection systems (such as in robots).
Passive infrared (PIR) sensors only detect infrared radiation and
do not emit it from an LED. Passive infrared sensors are comprised of:
Two strips of pyroelectric material (a pyroelectric sensor)
An infrared filter (that blocks out all other wavelengths of light)
A fresnel lens (which collects light from many angles into a single point)
•A housing unit (to protect the sensor from other environmental
variables, such as humidity)

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98
https://robocraze.com/blogs/post/ir-sensor-working99
Pressure Sensor

A pressure sensor is a transducer that senses pressure and

converts it into an electric signal where the amount depends upon the
pressure applied. A pressure transducer consists of a pressure-sensitive
element that can measure, detect or monitor the pressure being applied
and electronic components to convert the information into an electrical
output signal.
Pressure is defined as the amount of force (exerted by a liquid or
gas) applied to a unit of “area” (P=F/A), and the common units of
pressure are Pascal (Pa), Bar (bar), N/mm2 or psi (pounds per square
inch). Pressure sensors often utilize piezoresistive technology, as the
piezoresistive element changes its electrical resistance proportional to the
strain (pressure) experienced.
Most of the pressure sensor works on the principle and piezo-
resistive effect, which is measured by the strain gauge. A metal foil strain
gage is a transducer whose electrical resistance varies with applied force.
In other words, it converts force, pressure, tension, compression, torque,
and weight into a change in electrical resistance, which can then be
measured.

100
 Strain gauges are electrical conductors tightly attached to a
film in a zigzag shape. When this film is pulled, it — and the
conductors — stretches and elongates. When it is pushed, it is
contracted and gets shorter. This change in shape causes the
resistance in the electrical conductors to also change. The strain
applied in the load cell can be determined based on this principle, as
strain gauge resistance increases with applied strain and diminishes
with contraction.
Structurally, a pressure sensor is made of a metal body (also
called flexure) to which the metal foil strain gauges are bonded. These
force measuring sensors body is usually made of aluminum or
stainless steel, which gives the sensor two important characteristics:
(1) provides the sturdiness to withstand high loads and (2) has the
elasticity to minimally deform and return to its original shape when
the force is removed.
The strain gauges are arranged in what is called a Wheatstone
Bridge Amplifier Circuit (see below animated diagram). This means
that four strain gages are interconnected as a loop circuit and the
measuring grid of the force being measured is aligned accordingly.

101
 The strain gauge bridge amplifiers provide regulated excitation
voltage and convert the mv/V output signal into another form of signal
that is more useful to the user. The signal generated by the strain gage
bridge is a low strength signal and may not work with other components
of the system, such as PLC, data acquisition modules (DAQ) or
computers. Thus, pressure sensor signal conditioner functions include
excitation voltage, noise filtering or attenuation, signal amplification,
and output signal conversion.
Furthermore, the change in the pressure sensor
amplifier output is calibrated to be proportional to the force applied to
the flexure, which can be calculated via the pressure sensor circuit
equation. 102
Types of pressure sensors

Pressure sensors can be classified in terms of pressure ranges

they measure, temperature ranges of operation, and most importantly
the type of pressure they measure. Pressure sensors are variously
named according to their purpose, but the same technology may be
used under different names.
Absolute pressure sensor
This sensor measures the pressure relative to perfect vacuum.
Absolute pressure sensors are used in applications where a constant
reference is required, like for example, high-performance industrial
applications such as monitoring vacuum pumps, liquid pressure
measurement, industrial packaging, industrial process control
and aviation inspection.
Gauge pressure sensor
This sensor measures the pressure relative to atmospheric
pressure. A tire pressure gauge is an example of gauge pressure
measurement; when it indicates zero, then the pressure it is
measuring is the same as the ambient pressure. Most sensors for
measuring up to 50 bar are manufactured in this way, since otherwise
the atmospheric pressure fluctuation (weather) is reflected as an error
in the measurement result.
103
Vacuum pressure sensor
This term can cause confusion. It may be used to describe a
sensor that measures pressures below atmospheric pressure,
showing the difference between that low pressure and atmospheric
pressure, but it may also be used to describe a sensor that measures
absolute pressure relative to a vacuum.
Differential pressure sensor
This sensor measures the difference between two pressures,
one connected to each side of the sensor. Differential pressure
sensors are used to measure many properties, such as pressure
drops across oil filters or air filters, fluid levels (by comparing the
pressure above and below the liquid) or flow rates (by measuring the
change in pressure across a restriction). Technically speaking, most
pressure sensors are really differential pressure sensors; for example
a gauge pressure sensor is merely a differential pressure sensor in
which one side is open to the ambient atmosphere.
Sealed pressure sensor
This sensor is similar to a gauge pressure sensor except that
it measures pressure relative to some fixed pressure rather than the
ambient atmospheric pressure (which varies according to the location
and the weather).
104
Applications of pressure sensors

Automotive applications
In automobiles, hydraulic brakes are a crucial component in passenger
safety. The ability to control a vehicle using brakes is down to a complex
blend of components, including pressure sensors. These can be used to
monitor pressure within the chambers of the braking system, alerting
drivers and engine management systems alike if pressures are too low
to be effective. If pressure inside chambers is not measured, systems
can fail without the driver knowing and lead to a sudden loss of braking
efficacy and accidents.
Life-saving medical applications
Raising the air pressure in a sealed chamber containing a patient is
known as hyperbaric therapy. It can be effective for treating a number
of medical conditions, from skin grafts, burn injuries, and carbon
monoxide poisoning to decompression sickness experienced by divers.
Measuring blood pressure correctly is crucial to patient care, as errors
in readings can lead to a misdiagnosis. Thanks to recent innovations,
tiny pressure sensors can even be implanted into the body, known as In
Vivo Blood Pressure Sensing for more accurate monitoring.
105
Automated building applications
As building and home automation technologies become increasingly
popular, pressure sensors continue to play a central role in controlling
the environments we live in. Refrigeration systems are one such
example. Common coolants in HVACs like ammonia can cause
significant danger to people in the event of a leak. Using relative
pressure sensors to monitor the pressure of the ammonia as it passes
through the system ensures it stays within safe limits.
Life-enhancing consumer applications
The things we use, carry and wear on a daily basis are growing in
intelligence. Adding a pressure sensor to a consumer device can provide
new information for an improved user experience.
Take vacuum cleaners, or example. By measuring suction changes, they
can detect what kind of flooring is being cleaned and adjust settings
accordingly, or notify their owners when a filter needs replacing.
Industrial applications
Submersible pressure sensors can be used to measure liquid pressures
(up to 30 PSI) with either a voltage or current (4-20mA) output in liquid
tanks. By positioning these sensors at the bottom of a tank, you can get
an accurate reading of the contents in order to alert workers or the
process control system when levels in the tank fall below safe limits.
https://www.futek.com/store/pressure-sensors 106
Introduction to Biosensor
Biosensors can be defined as analytical devices which include a
combination of biological detecting elements like a sensor system and a
transducer. When we compare with any other presently existing diagnostic
device, these sensors are advanced in the conditions of selectivity as well
as sensitivity. The applications of these Biosensors mainly include
checking ecological pollution control, in the agriculture field as well as
food industries. The main features of biosensors are stability, cost,
sensitivity, and reproducibility.
Main Components of a Biosensor
The block diagram of the biosensor includes three segments
namely, sensor, transducer, and associated electrons. In the first segment,
the sensor is a responsive biological part, the second segment is the
detector part that changes the resulting signal from the contact of the
analyte, and for the results, it displays in an accessible way. The final
section comprises an amplifier which is known as a signal conditioning
circuit, a display unit as well as the processor.
Working Principle of Biosensor
Usually, a specific enzyme or preferred biological material is
deactivated by some of the usual methods, and the deactivated biological
material is in near contact with the transducer. The analyte connects to
the biological object to shape a clear analyte which in turn gives the
electronic reaction that can be calculated. In some examples, the 107
analyte is changed to a device that may be connected to the discharge of
gas, heat, electron ions, or hydrogen ions. In this, the transducer can
alter the device linked convert it into electrical signals which can be
changed and calculated.
Working of Biosensors
The electrical signal of the transducer is frequently low and
overlays upon a fairly high baseline. Generally, the signal processing
includes deducting a position baseline signal, obtained from a related
transducer without any biocatalyst covering.
The comparatively slow character of the biosensor reaction significantly
eases the electrical noise filtration issue. In this stage, the direct output
will be an analog signal however it is altered into digital form and
accepted to a microprocessor phase where the information is
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Features
A biosensor includes two main distinct components like Biological
component such as cell, enzyme and a physical component like an
amplifier and transducer.
The biological component identifies as well as communicates through
the analyte for generating a signal that can be sensed through the
transducer. The biological material is properly immobilized over the
transducer & these can be frequently used numerous times for a long
period.

Types of Biosensors
Electrochemical Biosensor, Amperometric Biosensor, Potentiometric
Biosensor, Impedimetric Biosensor, Voltammetric Biosensor, Physical
Biosensor, Piezoelectric Biosensors, Thermometric Biosensor, Optical
Biosensor, Wearable Biosensors, Enzyme Biosensor, DNA Biosensor,
Immunosensors , Magnetic Biosensors, Resonant Biosensors, Thermal
Detection Biosensor

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Biosensors Applications
Biosensor devices include a biological element as well as a
physiochemical detector and the main function of this device is to detect
analytes. So, the applications of biosensors are in a wide range. These
devices are applicable in the medical, food industry, the marine sector
as they offer good sensitivity & stability as compared with the usual
techniques. In recent years, these sensors have become very popular,
and they are applicable in different fields which are mentioned below
Common healthcare checking, Metabolites Measurement,
Screening for sickness, Insulin treatment, Clinical psychotherapy &
diagnosis of disease, In Military, Agricultural, and Veterinary
applications, Drug improvement, offense detection, Processing &
monitoring in Industrial, Ecological pollution control, Diagnostic &
Clinical, Industrial & Environmental Applications, Study & Interaction
of Biomolecules, Development of Drug, Detection of Crime, Medical
Diagnosis, Monitoring of Environmental Field, Quality Control, Process
Control in Industries, Pharmaceuticals Manufacturer & Organs
Replacement.

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Sensors for smart building
Sensors Used in Smart Buildings are solely dedicated to
providing smart facilities to their workers and people while providing
their users with an efficient and comfortable humanized building
environment within the budget.
Popular Sensors Used in Smart Buildings
1. Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors
What is it: Similar to its name, PIR technology refers to the fact that PIR
devices do not spread energy for detection but work by receiving infrared
radiation emitted or reflected from objects. PIR sensors are typically
mounted under desks, to detect when and for how long the workspace is
being used.
How they Work: As discussed above, PIR Sensors operate by leveraging
infrared radiation that is either emitted or reflected from objects.
However, PIR sensors cannot capture who exactly used the space.

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2. Temperature & Humidity Sensors
What is it: According to its name, temperature sensors can measure the
temperature in the environment. This is one of the most commonly used
Sensors used in Smart Buildings as they work according to the user’s
requirements and its position of installation. Similarly, humidity sensors
measure the relative humidity in the air and are often used in
combination with temperature sensors.
How they Work: In simple terms, temperature and humidity sensors
measure the temperature and humidity of the surrounding area within
fixed intervals and if any fluctuations are seen at anytime that crosses
the fixed threshold limit set in the sensor, the sensors instantly send out
the signal assigned to it.

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3. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Room Sensors
What is it: Air quality sensors are typically used to monitor the
concentration of pollutants in the air of the concerned area. It forms
an important part of air purifiers and fresh air systems working in the
facility, thus coming under the list of popular Sensors Used in Smart
Buildings.
How they Work: IAQ sensors deploy IoT and computer technology to
configure the air quality data to collect indoor air temperature and
humidity, particulate matter, TVOC, illuminance, formaldehyde, noise,
carbon dioxide and other environmental factors in real-time.
4. Water Leak sensors
What is it: Despite having regular and timely inspections in any
building, water leakage from the drain systems or HVAC system is a
common occurrence. The water leak sensor is a liquid leak detection
device.
How they Work: Considering the complex structures of the drain
system, HVAC system and air conditioning system in a building,
keeping a track of every gap is nearly impossible, therefore water leak
sensors are often employed to give an alarm as soon as it detects a
water leak.
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5. Thermal imaging
Thermal imaging cameras can provide a host of benefits
including the identification of heating/cooling leak points, monitoring of
high-voltage systems and even checking the temperatures of occupants
as the enter a building. Until recently, thermal imaging cameras were
very expensive and the thought of strategically placing sensors
throughout a building was simply not cost-effective. However,
advancements in the technology are lowering prices to the point where
thermal cameras can be deployed. This type of data can be collected and
combined with other building-centric data to preemptively identify
aspects of a facility or its occupants that need addressing.
6. Ambient lighting
Smart lighting systems are great, but their true benefits become more
apparent when combined with other IoT sensor information such as
occupancy levels and ambient light sensor data. The ability to utilize
daylight as best as possible can help cut energy costs by intelligently
maintaining the amount of electrical light required in occupied parts of a
building while bringing in outdoor lighting where needed. Doing so can
create a comfortable environment for occupants while reducing lighting
costs to the bare minimum.
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7. Door/cabinet open/close detection
The protection of occupants and resources within a building can be a
time consuming and difficult challenge without the use of technology
geared toward automating these monitoring processes. Sensors can be
installed at critical doors, entryways, and cabinets to monitor
open/closed activities in real-time. These sensors can either be
hardwired into the network or leverage Wi-Fi or LTE/5G for
connectivity back to a centralized monitoring/alerting platform.
Historical information can then be used to retroactively investigate any
instances where people or resources need to be located.

Benefits of smart building sensors

Smart building sensors can collect and analyze real-time data,
and make optimal solutions to problems. It is of great significance to
modern architecture:
•Can save building energy
•Improve the sustainability of building use
•Real-time monitoring reduces maintenance costs
•Optimize space utilization
•Enhance the safety, comfort and safety of tenants

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