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Different Types of Sensors

The following is a list of different types of sensors that are commonly used in various applications.
All these sensors are used for measuring one of the physical properties like Temperature,
Resistance, Capacitance, Conduction, Heat Transfer etc.
 Temperature Sensor
 Proximity Sensor
 Accelerometer
 IR Sensor (Infrared Sensor)
 Pressure Sensor
 Light Sensor
 Ultrasonic Sensor
 Smoke, Gas and Alcohol Sensor
 Touch Sensor
 Color Sensor
 Humidity Sensor
 Position Sensor
 Magnetic Sensor (Hall Effect Sensor)
 Microphone (Sound Sensor)
 Tilt Sensor
 Flow and Level Sensor
 PIR Sensor
 Touch Sensor
 Strain and Weight Sensor

1. Analog Sensors
The sensor that produces continuous signal with respect to time with analog output is called as
Analog sensors. The analog output generated is proportional to the measured or the input given to
the system. Generally, analog voltage in the range of 0 to 5 V or current is produced as the output.
The various physical parameters like temperature, stress, pressure, displacement, etc. are examples
for continuous signals.

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Examples: accelerometers, speed sensors, pressure sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors.

IR Sensor (Infrared Sensor)

When we look into electromagnetic spectrum, infrared region is divided into three regions as Near
Infrared, mid Infrared and far Infrared region. Infrared spectrum has a higher frequency range than
microwave and lesser frequency than visible light. An infrared sensor is used for emitting and
detecting IR radiation. By this principle, IR sensor can be used as Obstacle detector. There are two
types of IR sensors as Active and Passive IR sensors.
Passive IR sensor: When sensor does not use any IR source to detect the emitted energy from the
obstacles it acts as a Passive IR sensor. Examples like thermocouple, pyro electric detector and
bolometers comes under passive sensors.
Active IR sensor: When are there two components which acts as IR source and IR detector it is
called as Active sensor. LED or laser diode act as IR source. Photodiode or phototransistors acts
as IR detector.

Temperature & Thermocouple Sensors

As discussed, analog sensor produces signals that are continuously varying with time. The output
value from the sensor will be very small in range of microvolts or milli volts. Due to this, signal-
conditioning circuits are required for amplification. Analog to digital (ADC) converters are used
to convert the analog signal obtained into a digital value.
Temperature sensors sense the temperature and measures the changes in the temperature. Other
types of temperature sensors are Thermocouples, Thermistors, Resistive Temperature Devices
(RTD) and Temperature Sensor ICs (LM35) etc.

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Proximity Sensor
Proximity sensor is a type of non-contact sensor used for object detection. It does not have any
physical contact with the object. The object whose distance is to be measured is known as target.
An IR light or electromagnetic radiation is used in a proximity sensor. There are different types of
proximity sensors like Inductive, capacitive, Ultrasonic, etc. applications: Object detection, to
measure velocity, rotation identification, material detection, Reverse parking sensor, object
counting.

Ultrasonic Sensor
Ultrasonic sensors are used to measure distance or travel time using ultrasonic waves. A source
will be used to emit ultrasonic wave. After wave hits the target, the waves are reflected, and the
detector collects the signal. The travel time between the transmitted wave and reflected wave is
measured using Ultrasonic sensor. Optical sensors use two different elements for transmitter and
receiver. Whereas ultrasonic sensor uses single element for transmission and reception.

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Accelerometers & Gyroscope Sensor

Accelerometer is a type of sensor that is used to detect changes in position, velocity, and vibration
by sensing motion. It can be either analog or digital type. In analog accelerometer, depending on
volume of acceleration applied to accelerometer, continuous analog voltage signal is produced.
Gyroscope sensor to sense and determine the orientation with the help of Earth’s gravity i.e., it
measures the angular velocity. The main difference between Accelerometers & Gyroscope Sensors
is that Gyroscope can sense the rotation where accelerometer can’t. In other words, Gyroscope
measure any rotation and unaffected by acceleration and Accelerometer cannot distinguish rotation
from acceleration and unable to work when in center of rotation.

Pressure Sensor
Pressure sensor works on the application of input voltage and pressure value. It produces an analog
output voltage.

Hall Effect Sensor

The sensor that works on principle of magnetic effect is called Hall Effect sensor. Magnetic field
is the input and electrical signal is the output. External magnetic field is applied to activate Hall
Effect sensor. All magnets have two important characteristics namely Flux density and polarity.
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Magnetic flux density is always present around the object. Therefore, the Hall Effect sensor output
will be function of the flux density.
Applications: One of the main uses of magnetic sensors is in automotive systems for the sensing
of position, distance and speed. For example, the angular position of the crankshaft for the firing
angle of the spark plugs, the position of the car seats and seat belts for air-bag control or wheel
speed detection for the anti-lock braking system, (ABS). Hall Effect sensors are used for GPS
position detection, Speed detection, to control motor.

Load cell
Load cell is used to measure weight. The input is force or pressure, and output is electrical voltage
value. Load cell measures weight of the object by indirect method. There are few types of load
cells namely Beam load cell, Single point load cell and compression load cell.
Beam load cell: Used in industrial applications like machinery, tank weighing, medical
equipment.
Single Point load cell: These are used for low weight measurement applications like waste
collections and machinery.
Compression Load cell: Used for high weight measuring applications like Medical device, to
control pump.

Applications of Analog Sensors

To detect hidden tracks, discontinuities in metals, composites, plastics, ceramics, and for water
level detection.

2. Digital Sensors
When data is converted and transmitted digitally, it is called Digital sensors. Digital sensors are
the one, which produces discrete output signals. Discrete signals will be non-continuous with time,
and it can be represented in “bits” for serial transmission and in “bytes” for parallel transmission.
The measuring quantity will be represented in digital format. Digital output can be in form of
Logic 1 or logic 0 (ON or OFF). A digital sensor consists of sensor, cable and a transmitter. The
measured signal is converted into a digital signal inside sensor itself without any external
component. Cable is used for long distance transmission.

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Light Sensor
Digital LED or Opto-detector used to produce a Digital Signal to measure the speed of rotating
shaft. A disc is attached to the rotating shaft. Rotating shaft has transparent slots on its
circumference. When the shaft rotates at a speed, the disc also rotates with it. The sensor passes
through each slot on the shaft, which produces an output pulse as either logic 1 or logic 0. The
output is displayed on LCD after passing through counter/register.

Digital Accelerometer
A digital accelerometer generates variable frequency square wave output. The method of
producing square wave is pulse-width modulation (PWM). The output from PWM signal, pulse
width is directly proportional to acceleration value.
Other types of digital sensors are: Digital Temperature Sensor, Encoders etc.

Applications of Digital Sensors

 Detection of leaks in gas pipes and cables using pressure sensor
 Pressure monitoring in Tires
 Monitoring airflow
 Measuring level
 Inhalers (medical device)
 Real Time Applications of Sensors

IR Sensor Applications:
 Radiation thermometers: It works due to the presence of IR sensor. The temperature of
an object is measured with radiation thermometers.
 IR Imaging devices: IR sensors are used to image objects. They are used in Thermography
cameras, which are used as Noninvasive imaging technique.
 IR TV remote: These days IR based TV remotes are used at home and theaters. They use
infrared light as a source for communication. TV remote consists of buttons and PCB. PCB
consists of an electrical circuit which is used to sense or detect the button that is pressed.
Once the button is pressed, the signal is transmitted in form or Morse code. Transistors are
used for amplification of the signal. Finally, it reaches the IR LED. The end of circuit board

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will be connected to IR LED. A sensor is placed on the receiving end of the TV. IR LED
will emit IR light and the sensor senses it.
 Inside a Car – Steering Sensor applications: In a vehicle, steering sensors are very
crucial. They measure the rotational angle of steering wheel and further help for navigation.
These sensors play a role for Electronic Command Steering and Electric Power Steering.
 Inside Smart Phone- Sensor applications: In the current world, every person owns a
smart phone. The mobile technology is built with full of sensors and automation
technology. Different types of sensors like Fingerprint, magnetometer, gyroscope,
accelerometer, barometer, thermometer, proximity sensor, heart rate monitor, light sensors
and many more.

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