We live in a World of Sensors. You can find different types of Sensors in our homes, offices, cars etc.

working to make our lives easier by turning on the lights by detecting our presence, adjusting the room
temperature, detect smoke or fire, make us delicious coffee, open garage doors as soon as our car is
near the door and many other tasks.

All these and many other automation tasks are possible because of Sensors. Before going in to the
details of What is a Sensor, What are the Different Types of Sensors and Applications of these different
types of Sensors, we will first take a look at a simple example of an automated system, which is possible
because of Sensors (and many other components as well).

Real Time Application of Sensors

The example we are talking about here is the Autopilot System in aircrafts. Almost all civilian and
military aircrafts have the feature of Automatic Flight Control system or sometimes called as Autopilot.

An Automatic Flight Control System consists of several sensors for various tasks like speed control,
height monitoring, position tracking, status of doors, obstacle detection, fuel level, maneuvering and
many more. A Computer takes data from all these sensors and processes them by comparing them with
pre-designed values.

The computer then provides control signals to different parts like engines, flaps, rudders, motors etc.
that help in a smooth flight. The combination of Sensors, Computers and Mechanics makes it possible to
run the plane in Autopilot Mode.

All the parameters i.e., the Sensors (which give inputs to the Computers), the Computers (the brains of
the system) and the mechanics (the outputs of the system like engines and motors) are equally
important in building a successful automated system.

This is an extremely simplified version of Flight Control System. In fact, there are hundreds of individual
control systems which preform unique tasks for a safe and smooth journey.

But in this tutorial, we will be concentrating on the Sensors part of a system and look at different
concepts associated with Sensors (like types, characteristics, classification etc.).

What is a Sensor?

There are numerous definitions as to what a sensor is but I would like to define a Sensor as an input
device which provides an output (signal) with respect to a specific physical quantity (input).

The term “input device” in the definition of a Sensor means that it is part of a bigger system which
provides input to a main control system (like a Processor or a Microcontroller).
Another unique definition of a Sensor is as follows: It is a device that converts signals from one energy
domain to electrical domain. The definition of the Sensor can be better understood if we take an
example in to consideration.

The simplest example of a sensor is an LDR or a Light Dependent Resistor. It is a device, whose
resistance varies according to intensity of light it is subjected to. When the light falling on an LDR is
more, its resistance becomes very less and when the light is less, well, the resistance of the LDR
becomes very high.

We can connect this LDR in a voltage divider (along with other resistor) and check the voltage drop
across the LDR. This voltage can be calibrated to the amount of light falling on the LDR. Hence, a Light
Sensor.

Now that we have seen what a sensor is, we will proceed further with the classification of Sensors.

Classification of Sensors

There are several classifications of sensors made by different authors and experts. Some are very simple
and some are very complex. The following classification of sensors may already be used by an expert in
the subject but this is a very simple classification of sensors.

In the first classification of the sensors, they are divided in to Active and Passive. Active Sensors are
those which require an external excitation signal or a power signal.

Passive Sensors, on the other hand, do not require any external power signal and directly generates
output response.

The other type of classification is based on the means of detection used in the sensor. Some of the
means of detection are Electric, Biological, Chemical, Radioactive etc.

The next classification is based on conversion phenomenon i.e., the input and the output. Some of the
common conversion phenomena are Photoelectric, Thermoelectric, Electrochemical, Electromagnetic,
Thermooptic, etc.
The final classification of the sensors are Analog and Digital Sensors. Analog Sensors produce an analog
output i.e., a continuous output signal (usually voltage but sometimes other quantities like Resistance
etc.) with respect to the quantity being measured.

Digital Sensors, in contrast to Analog Sensors, work with discrete or digital data. The data in digital
sensors, which is used for conversion and transmission, is digital in nature.

Sensor Classifications:

There are several classifications of sensors made by different authors and

experts. Some are very simple and some are very complex. The first
classification of the sensors, are divided in to Active and Passive. Active
Sensors are those which require an external excitation signal or a power signal.
Passive Sensors, on the other hand, do not require any external power signal
and directly generates output response. The other type of classification is
based on the means of detection used in the sensor. Some of the means of
detection are Electric, Biological, Chemical and Radioactive. The next
classification is based on conversion phenomenon i.e., the input and the
output. Some of the common conversion phenomena are Photoelectric,
Thermoelectric, Electrochemical, Electromagnetic and Thermooptic. The final
classification of the sensors are Analog and Digital Sensors. Analog Sensors
produce an analog output i.e., a continuous output signal with respect to the
quantity being measured

Sensing Principle Examples

Mechanical motion Pendulum-clock, quartz clock, spring
(including mechanical resonance) balance, odometer, Piezo resistive
pressure sensor, accelerometer, gyro
Electric field Electrostatic voltmeter, field-effect
transistor
Magnetic field Compass, Hall-effect, magneto
resistance, inductive proximity
sensor
Optical energy (photons) Photodiode, CCD camera, Geiger-
Mueller tube, color sensor, turbidity
sensor,
Thermal (incl. temperature Thermometer, thermocouple,
differences) thermistor, thermal conductivity
detector, transistor built-in voltage,
air flow sensors
Classification of sensors based on their sensing principle, with examples

Types of Sensors:

Temperature sensor is used to senses the temperature and detects the

temperature change. As the temperature changes, it belongs to a
corresponding change in voltage and resistance in temperature sensors. This
can be used in mobile phones, computers, air conditioning systems,
automobiles, industries, and other sectors. There are various examples of
temperature sensors like Resistive Temperatures Devices (RTD), thermistors
and ICs.

The proximity sensor is a non-contact type of sensor which is used to detect

the object presence. This sensor is used to detect any touch with one object to
another object. It can be used in mobile phones or cars, parking sensor.

Infrared sensor is a type of light-based sensor that can be used for detecting
any objects. The infrared sensors worked as proximity sensors in mobile
phones. There are broadly two types of infrared sensors, the transmissive type
IR sensor and Reflective type IR sensor. The transmissive IR sensor is used
when there is a need for detecting any movement in-between object. It is placed
in between the object and when something passes between object transmissive
sensor detect that activity and inform about that activity.

Light detector sensor is used to detect the intensity of light. This type of sensor
is used to convert light energy into electric energy. The light detector sensors
are capable of detecting ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, etc.

Smoke detector sensor is a smoke detecting device that detects smoke and fire.
It is mainly used in homes, schools, industries, and offices. This device is
vastly used and very important as it can be used to detect fire and reduce the
risk of an accident.