STUDY OF SOME SENSORS

I.1. LIGHT DEPENDENT RESISTOR(LDR)

a) DIAGRAM

Figure 1.1. a: Physical Appearance and Diagram of LDR

b) PIN DESCRIPTION

The Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is just another special type of Resistor and hence has
no polarity.
Meaning they can be connected in any direction. They are breadboard friendly and can be
easily used on a perf board also. The symbol for LDR is just as similar to Resistor but adds to
inward arrows as shown above. The arrows indicate the light signals.
c) HOW IT WORKS

The LDR is a special type of resistor whose resistance depends on the intensity of light
striking its surface the greater the intensity of light, the smaller the resistance. While the
smaller the intensity of light striking the surface, the greater the resistance.

d) APLICATION
 Automatic Street Light
 Detect Day or Night
 Automatic Head Light Dimmer
 Position sensor
 Used along with LED as obstacle detector
 Automatic bedroom Lights
 Automatic Rear view mirror
 e) EXERCISE
Draw the diagram below in Proteus and simulate. Vary position of the light source, write
down your observation.

Figure 1.1. b: LDR used as a sensor in the voltage divider mode

I.2. LM35(TEMPERATURE SENSOR)
a) DIAGRAM

Figure 2.1. a: Physical appearance of LM 35 Figure 2.1. b: Proteus diagram of LM35 IC

b) PIN DESCRIPTION
 PIN NUMBER NAME CHARACTERISTCS

1 VCC(Supply) +5V

2 Data Voltage(analogue)

3 GND(Ground) 0V

c) HOW IT WORKS

LM35 is a 3 pin IC and it is used for temperature detection

The output signal is proportional to the input temperature, which it detects. Lm35 is
much more
sensitive than other temp measuring devices (not accurate) and that’s why it is most
widely used temp detection device now-a-days. The internal circuitry of this IC is
sealed and the external conditions will have no effect on the operation of LM35 and
also its output is not effected under any conditions. The output voltage of the sensor are
linearly comparative to the Celsius temperature. It ranges from -55ᵒ to +150ᵒ

d) APPLICATION

They are widely used in domestic and industrial applications such as

 Refrigerators
 Ovens
 HVAC environmental control
 In automotive industries to monitor air intake, coolants or cycle head temperatures.

I.3. TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY SENSOR (DHT11)

a) DIAGRAM
Figure 1.3. a: Physical Appearance od DHT11

b) PIN DESCIPTION

Pin number Pin name Description

For sensor

1 VCC Power supply 3.5V to 5.5V

2 Data Outputs both temperature and humidity through

serial data

3 NC No connection and hence not used

4 Ground Connected to the ground circuit

For Module

1 VCC Power supply 3.5V to 5.5V

2 Data Outputs both temperature and humidity through

serial data

OTHER DHT11 SPECICATIONS:

 Operating Voltage: 3.5V to 5.5V


Operating current: 0.3mA (measuring) 60uA (standby)

Output: Serial data

Temperature Range: 0°C to 50°C

Humidity Range: 20% to 90%
 
Resolution: Temperature and Humidity both are 16-bit

Accuracy: ±1°C and ±1%

c) HOW IT WORKS

It uses a capacitive humidity sensor and a thermistor to measure the surrounding air, and spits out a
digital signal on the data pin (no analog input pins needed). The dht11 calculates relative humidity
by measuring the electrical resistance between two electrodes. The change in resistance between
the two electrodes is proportional to relative humidity. Higher relative humidity decreases the
resistance between the two electrodes while lower relative humidity increases the resistance
between the electrodes.

d) APPLICATIONS

Figure 1.3. b: Interfacing dht11 with Uc

 Used at weather stations for temperature measurements
 Used as environmental monitoring device

I.4. SMOKE SENSOR (MQ-2)

a) DIAGRAM
Figure 1.4. a: physical appearance of the gas sensor

b) PIN DESCRIPTION

PIN NUMBER PIN NAME CHARACTERISTICS

1 VCC +5V

2 GND 0V

3 D0 Digital pin

4 A0 Analogue pin

c) HOW IT WORKS

The voltage that the sensor outputs changes accordingly to the smoke/gas level
that exists in the atmosphere. The sensor outputs a voltage that is proportional to
the concentration of smoke/gas.

In other words, the relationship between voltage and gas concentration is the
following:

 The greater the gas concentration, the greater the output voltage
 The lower the gas concentration, the lower the output voltage
Figure 1.4. b: Picture showing relationship between gas concentration and output voltage

d) APPLICATIONS
 helps to detect and deter smoking in areas where it is banned
 used in homes and industries to detect fire outbreak
 used to monitor local ovens where drying is done

I.5. THE SOUND SENSOR

a) DIAGRAM
Figure 1.5. a: Physical appearance of the sound sensor

b) PIN DESCRIPTION

PIN NUMBER PIN NAME CHARACTERISTICS

1 VCC +3.3 to +5V

2 GND 0V

3 D0 Digital pin

4 A0 Analogue pin

c) HOW IT WORKS

The sound sensor module provides an easy way to detect sound and is generally used for
detecting sound intensity. Its accuracy can be easily adjusted for the convenience of
usage.
It uses a microphone which supplies the input to an amplifier, peak detector and
buffer. When the sensor detects a sound, it processes an output signal voltage which is
sent to a microcontroller then performs necessary processing.

d) APPLICATIONS
 Used for security
 Switching
 Monitoring applications