Sensor and Actuators

Chapter outline
 Sensors
 Characteristics of sensor
 Types of Sensors
 Analog Sensors
 Digital Sensors
 Actuators
 What is sensor?
 “A Sensor is a converter that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which
can be read by an observer or by an (today mostly electronic) instrument “
 A sensor can be defined as an appliance that detects changes in physical or electrical or other
quantities and by this means, generally, produces an electrical or optical signal output as an
acknowledgement of the change in that specific quantity.
 Example:chemical, pressure, temperature, position, force, proximity, thermal, presence, flow,
optical, automotive, sound, speed, magnetic, electric, heat, fiber-optic sensors, analog and
digital sensors

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 What is Actuator?
 An Actuator is a type of motor for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. It is
operated by a source of energy, typically electric current, hydraulic fluid pressure, or
pneumatic pressure, and converts that energy into motion.
 An actuator is the mechanism by which a control system acts upon an environment.
 Basic characteristics of sensors
A good sensor should have the following characteristics

 High Sensitivity: Sensitivity indicates how much the output of the device changes with unit
change in input (quantity to be measured). For example the voltage of a temperature sensor
changes by 1mV for every 1oC change in temperature than the sensitivity of the sensor is said to
be 1mV/oC.
 Linearity: The output should change linearly with the input.
 High Resolution: Resolution is the smallest change in the input that the device can detect.
 Less Noise and Disturbance.
 Less power consumption.

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 Types of sensors
There are two major category: Analog and digital sensors.
ANALOG Sensors
 Analog sensors produce continuous output signal and its
proportional to the measured.
 There are various types of analog sensors such as
 Accelerometers
 Pressure sensors
 Light sensors
 Sound sensors
 Temperature sensors, and so on.
 Analog sensors
Accelerometers
 Analog sensors that detect changes in position, velocity, orientation, shock, vibration, and tilt by sensing
motion are called as accelerometers.
 Analog accelerometer produces a constant variable voltage based on the amount of acceleration applied to
the accelerometer.

 Small board size - Just 28mm X 23mm

 Simple 5 pin interface (VCC, GND, Xout, Yout, Zout, Self Test)
 Needs no external components
 Easy to mount on General purpose PCB, Breadboards and special PCBs
 Low Current Consumption: 500 μA
 Low Voltage Operation: 5V
 High Sensitivity for small movements
 Fast Turn On Time
 Integral Signal Conditioning with Low Pass Filter
 Robust Design, High Shocks Survivability
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 Analog sensors
Light Sensors
 Analog sensors that are used for detecting the amount of light striking the sensors are called as light
sensors
 These analog light sensors are again classified into various types such as photo-resistor, Cadmium Sulfide
(CdS), and, photocell.
 Light dependent resistor (LDR) can be used as analog light sensor which can be used to switch on and off
loads automatically based on the day light incident on the LDR. The resistance of the LDR increases with
decrease in light and decreases with increase in light.
 Analog sensors
Sound Sensors
 Analog sensors that are used to sense sound level are called as sound sensors. These analog sound sensors
translate the amplitude of the acoustic volume of the sound into an electrical voltage for sensing sound
level.
 This process requires some circuitry, and utilizes microcontroller along with a microphone for creating an
analog output signal.

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 Analog sensors
Pressure Sensors
 The analog sensors that are used to measure the amount of pressure
applied to a sensor are called as analog pressure sensors.
 Pressure sensor will produce an analog output signal that is
proportional to the amount of applied pressure.
 These pressure sensors are used for different types of applications
such as piezoelectric plates or piezoelectric sensors
 That are used for the generation of electric charge.
 These piezoelectric sensors are one type of pressure sensors that can
produce an analog output voltage signal proportional to the
pressure applied to the piezoelectric sensor
 Analog Sensors
Temperature Sensors
• Typically used analog temperature sensors are thermistors.
• There are different types of thermistors that are used for different applications
 Thermistor is a thermally sensitive resistor that is used for detecting changes in temperature
 If the temperature increases, then the electrical resistance of thermistor increases. Similarly, if
temperature decreases, then the resistance decreases. It is used in various temperature sensor
applications.

• Voltage Input: 2.7 V to 5.5 VDC

• 10 mV/°C scale factor
• ±2°C accuracy over temperature
• ±0.5°C linearity
• Operating Range: −40°C to +125°C
 Analog sensors
Water level Sensors
 Water Sensor water level sensor is an easy-to-use, cost-effective high level/drop recognition sensor,
which is obtained by having a series of parallel wires exposed traces measured droplets/water volume
in order to determine the water level.
 Easy to complete water to analog signal conversion and output analog values can be directly read
Arduino development board to achieve the level alarm effect.

• Operating voltage: DC3-5V

• Operating current: less than 20mA
• Sensor Type: Analog
• Detection Area: 40mmx16mm
• Humidity: 10% -90% non-condensing
• Product Dimensions: 62mm x 20mm x 8mm

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 Digital sensors
 Electronic sensors or electrochemical sensors in which data conversion and data transmission takes
place digitally are called as digital sensors
 The digital sensor consists of majorly three components: senor, cable, and transmitter.
 In digital sensors, the signal measured is directly converted into digital signal output inside the digital
sensor itself.
 And this digital signal is transmitted through cable digitally.
 There are different types of digital sensors that overcome disadvantages of analog sensors.
 Digital sensors
Digital Temperature and Humidity Sensors
 DHT11 and DHT22 digital temperature sensor available for
measurement of temperature and humidity.
 The DHT11 sensor includes a resistive-type humidity measurement
component, an NTC temperature measurement component and a
high-performance 8-bit microcontroller inside, and provides
calibrated digital signal output.
• Power Supply： 3.3~5.5V DC
• Output： 4 pin single row
• Measurement Range： Humidity 20-90%RH， Temperature 0~50℃
• Accuracy： Humidity +-5%RH， Temperature +-2℃
• Resolution： Humidity 1%RH， Temperature 1℃
• Interchangeability： Fully Interchangeable
• Long-Term Stability： <±1%RH/year

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 Digital sensors
Digital Temperature and Humidity Sensors
 DHT22 includes a capacitive sensor wet components and a high-
precision temperature measurement devices, and connected with a
high-performance 8-bit microcontroller.
 The sensor has excellent quality, fast response, strong anti-
jamming capability, and high cost.
Standard single-bus interface, system integration quick and easy.
Small size, low power consumption, signal transmission distance
up to 20 meters, making it the best choice of all kinds of
applications and even the most demanding applications.
• Supply voltage: 5V
• Temperature range:-40-80 resolution0.1 error <±0.5
• Humidity range:0-100%RH resolution0.1%RH error±2%RH
• Sequence of the line: VCC,GND,S
• Size: 38 x 20mm

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 Digital sensors
Ultrasonic Sensor
 Ultrasonic sensor distance measuring module is stable, measure the distance accurately.
 The sensor with High precision, blind spots (3cm) super close.
 Its provides a full set of ranging process.

• Working voltage : 5V(DC)

• Static current: Less than 2mA.
• Output signal: Electric frequency signal, high level 5V, low level 0V.
• Sensor angle: Not more than 15 degrees.
• Detection distance: 2cm~450cm.
• High precision: Up to 3mm
• Mode of connection: VCC / trig(T) / echo(R) / GND

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 Digital sensors
Ultrasonic Sensor
 Distance = Speed × Time
 The Ultrasonic transmitter transmits an ultrasonic wave, this wave travels in air and when it gets
objected by any material it gets reflected back toward the sensor this reflected wave is observed by the
Ultrasonic receiver module as shown in the picture below
 Since we are using the Ultrasonic wave we know the universal speed of US wave at room conditions
which is 330m/s

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 Digital sensors
IR Sensor (Obstacle Sensor)
 IR Obstacle Sensor consists of a TSOP as a receiver and IR LED as a transmitter. TSOP as a receiver
provides flexibility of sensing light.
 The sensor is perfectly suited for Detecting obstacle within line of sight. The Control Circuit Applied for
the sensor is based on LM555 Timer IC working. The Analog signal generated from the TSOP is
processed by an Inverting Amplifier and then fed to the Timer IC and we get a Digital Output at the
output Pin.
 The Digital output makes it a good device to interface with any device compatible with Digital Signal

• Obstacle Avoider or Obstacle sensor for robots and electronics

with range between 3cms to 7cms
• 0.1th inch (2.54 mm) with Breadboard compatiblity
• Obstacle sensing LED and Power LED
• Arduino, AVR, PIC and other microcontroller Compatible
• A compact form on a tiny board

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 Digital sensors
Flame Sensor
 Flame Detection Sensor Module is sensitive to the flame, but also can detect ordinary light. Usually
used as a flame alarm.
 Detects a flame or a light source of a wavelength in the range of 760nm-1100 nm. Detection point of
about 60 degrees, particularly sensitive to the flame spectrum. Sensitivity is adjustable, stable
performance

• Detection angle about 60 degrees, it is sensitive to the flame spectrum. Accuracy adjustable
• Operating voltage 3.3V-5V
• Output (a). analog voltage output (b). digital switch outputs (0 and 1)
• With a mounting screw hole PCB size: 3cm * 1.6cm
• Power indicator (red) and digital switch output indicator (green)
• Comparator chip LM393 ,it is stable.
• Flame detection distance, lighter flame test can be triggered within 0.8m, if the intensity of flame is high , the
detection distance will be increased

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 Digital sensors
Gas Sensor
 It is a hazardous gas detection apparatus for the family, the environment, suitable for ammonia,
aromatic compounds, Sulphur, benzene vapors, smoke and other gases harmful gas detection, gas-
sensitive element test.
 Air quality sensor is for detecting a wide range of gases, including NH3, NOx, alcohol, benzene, smoke
and CO2. Ideal for use in office or factory with simple drive and monitoring circuit.
• Dual signal output (analog output, and TTL level output)
• TTL output valid signal is low
• Analog output with increasing concentration, the higher the concentration, the higher the voltage
• Sulphide, benzene, smoke and other harmful gases with high sensitivity
• Has a long life and reliable stability
• Rapid response recovery characteristics

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 Digital sensors
Human / Metal Touch Sensor
 The module is based on a touch-sensing IC (TTP223B) capacitive touch switch module. In the normal
state, the modules output is low, lower power consumption;
 When a finger touches the corresponding position, the modules output is high, if not touched for 12
seconds, it switches to low-power mode. Jog type : the initial state is lower , higher touch , do not
touch is lower ( similar touch of a button feature Dual signal output (analog output, and TTL level
output)

• Low power consumption

• Power supply for 2 ~ 5.5V DC
• Can replace the traditional touch of a button
• Four M2 screws positioning holes for easy installation

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 Digital sensors
Line Tracker Sensor
 Line Tracker sensor consists of 3 IR transmitter and IR receiver pairs.
 This tracker sensor is typically used for robots in line following task.
 It can be used for either dark or bright line following. The tracker sensors have 3 digital outputs to user
indicating the existence of the line.
 Every sensor is provided with its own LEDs as indication of line detection

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 Digital sensors
PIR Motion Sensor
 The Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR) sensor module is used for motion detection. It can be used as motion
detector for security systems or robotics.
 It works on 5V DC and gives TTL output which can be directly given to microcontroller or to relay
through a transistor.
 It consists of pyroelectric sensor and Fresnel lens that detects motion by measuring change in the
infrared levels emitted by the objects. It can detect motion up to 20ft.
 This module is very sensitive to change in infrared levels subjected by human movement.

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 Digital sensors
PIR Motion Sensor

– Supply: 5V DC
– Detection range: 6meters
– Output: 3.3V
– Adjustable sensitivity levels (High or Low)
– Settling time: 60 seconds
– Size: Length 32mm, Width 24mm, Height 26mm

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 Actuators
Relay
 Relay provides an electrical connection between two or more points in response to the application of a
control signal.
 Relays are basically electrically operated switches that come in many shapes, sizes and power ratings
suitable for all types of applications.
 Relays can also have single or multiple contacts within a single package

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 Actuators
DC Motor
• A DC motor (Direct Current motor) is the
most common type of motor. DC motors
normally have just two leads, one positive
and one negative.
• If you connect these two leads directly to a
battery, the motor will rotate. If you switch
the leads, the motor will rotate in the
opposite direction.

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 Actuators
Servo Motor
 A Servo Motor is a small device that has an output shaft.
 Shaft can be positioned to specific angular positions by sending the servo a
coded signal. As long as the coded signal exists on the input line, the servo
will maintain the angular position of the shaft.
 If the coded signal changes, the angular position of the shaft changes. In
practice, servos are used in radio-controlled airplanes to position control
surfaces like the elevators and rudders. They are also used in radio-
controlled cars, puppets, and of course, robots.
 Servos are extremely useful in robotics. The motors are small, have built-in
control circuitry, and are extremely powerful for their size. A standard servo
such as the Futaba S-148 has 42 oz/inches of torque, which is strong for its
size. It also draws power proportional to the mechanical load. A lightly
loaded servo, therefore, does not consume much energy.

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 Actuators
Stepper Motor
 A Stepper Motor or a step motor is a brushless, synchronous motor, which divides a full rotation into a
number of steps. Unlike a brushless DC motor, which rotates continuously when a fixed DC voltage is
applied to it, a step motor rotates in discrete step angles.
 The Stepper Motors therefore are manufactured with steps per revolution of 12, 24, 72, 144, 180, and 200,
resulting in stepping angles of 30, 15, 5, 2.5, 2, and 1.8 degrees per step. The stepper motor can be
controlled with or without feedback.

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 Actuators
Seven Segment Display
 The seven segments display a very simple device. It is a
combination of 8 LEDs (the decimal point -DP- is the 8th),
which can be arranged so that different combinations can be
used to make numerical digits.

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 Actuators
LCD Display
 An LCD is an electronic display module which uses liquid crystal to produce a visible image. The 16×2
LCD display is a very basic module commonly used in DIYs and circuits. The 16×2 translates display 16
characters per line in 2 such lines. In this LCD each character is displayed in a 5×7 pixel matrix.

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 Common Sensors and Transducers
Quantity being measured Input Device (Sensor) Output Device
Light Level Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) Lights & Lamps
Photodiode LED’s & Displays
Photo-transistor Fiber Optics
Solar Cell

Temperature Thermocouple Heater

Thermistor Fan
Thermostat
Resistive Temperature Detectors

Force/Pressure Strain Gauge Lifts & Jacks

Pressure Switch Electromagnet
Load Cells Vibration

Position Potentiometer Motor

Encoders Solenoid
Reflective/Slotted Opto-switch Panel Meters
LVDT

Speed Tacho-generator AC and DC Motors

Reflective/Slotted Opto-coupler Stepper Motor
Doppler Effect Sensors Brake

Sound Carbon Microphone Bell

Piezo-electric Crystal Buzzer
Loudspeaker

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