CHAPTER-5

Sensors & Trasnducers

Introduction to Sensors & Transducers

• Sensors: A sensor is a device that detects and responds to some type of

input from the physical environment. The input can be light, heat, motion,
moisture, pressure, or any number of other environmental phenomena
• The output is generally a signal that is converted to a human-readable display
at the sensor location or transmitted electronically over a network for reading
or further processing.
• Example: LDR
Transducers &Sensors
Introduction to Sensors & Transducers

• Transducers: A transducer is defined as a device that receives

energy from one system and transmits it to another, often in a

different form.
• The input quantity for most instrumentation systems is
nonelectrical. In order to use electrical methods and techniques
for measurement, the nonelectrical quantity is converted into a
proportional electrical signal by a device called a “transducer”.
Introduction to Sensors & Transducers

• Actually, an electrical transducer consists of two parts that are

very closely related to each other. These two parts are the
sensing or detecting element and the transduction element.
Comparesion: Sensors Vs. Transducers
Sr. No Sensors Transducers
A sensor is a device which A transducer is a device that
converts the physical transforms energy from one
1 parameter of a quantity into form to another, such as speed
corresponding electrical
into electrical signal.
output.
A sensor does not have The components of a
any other component transducer are − input device
2 except itself. (sensor), processing device
(signal conditioning), and
output device.
All the sensors are not A sensor is the part of all the
3
transducers. transducers.
Cont.
Sr. No Sensors Transducers
A sensor is less complicated Transducer is a relatively more
in its construction and complex device because it involves
4
processing the transformation of energy from
one form to another
it only measures the change Transducer generally provides
in the physical quantity and feedback to the system through
5
cannot give input to the the output device after processing.
system on its own.
Common examples of Examples of transducers are: strain
sensors are temperature gauge, microphones, loudspeakers,
6
sensors, photo sensors, piezoelectric elements, etc
proximity sensors, etc.
Application of Sensors

Automotive: Antilock Braking System (ABS) Sensors connected to

the wheel, measure the speed of the wheel and braking pressure
and keep sending them to ABS controlling When the driver applies
the sudden brake, the ABS system, with breaking pressure and
speed data received from the sensors, releases the braking pressure
to avoid skidding/locking of wheels. It is one of the critical safety
aspects of vehicles.
Application of Sensors
Manufacturing: Predictive maintenance of the machinery,
Assembly equipment using the data collected from sensors in
the machines. Optimal utilization of Machines by continuously
monitoring the performances and effectively rejigging the
operations with the data collected from sensors. Fine-tuning the
Quality systems and enhancing the quality standards using the data
collected from sensors. Design notifications and alerts in case of a
deterioration of quality and process standards. Agility in reacting
Application of Sensors
Aviation:
•Sensors deployed in the aviation industry measure the data during the
navigation of aircraft, monitoring various systems, and controlling instruments.
These data are utilized for inefficient flight operations, improved aircraft
performance, and design improvements.
•Some of the instrumentation sensors are tachometers, gauges to measure engine
pressure and oil& and fuel quantity, Altimeters, airspeed meters, etc. Sensors
help measure the testing of the ground conditions, vibration, and environmental
factors and provide useful inputs to the pilot to manage the general operation
and emergency conditions.
Application of Sensors

Medical & Healthcare

Blood pressure monitoring (self).
Continuous glucose monitoring by Individuals.
Automatic measurement of the vitals of the patient and sending it
to the patient’s doctor.
More home care facilities and ambulatory treatments
Decentralized laboratories.
Robotics in Operation Theater.
Application of Transducers
Ultrasonic Transducer
•This transducer can be used to measure the distance
of the sound based on reflection. This measurement is
based on a suitable method compared to the straight
methods which use different measuring scales.
•The areas which are hard to find, such as pressure
areas, and very high temperatures, using conventional
methods the measurement of the distance is not a
simple task. So, this transducer-based measuring
system can be used in this kind of zone.
Application of Transducers
Temperature Transducer

A temperature transducer is used to measure the temperature of the air such that to
control the temperature of several control systems like air-conditioning, heating,
ventilation, and so on.
Application of Transducers
Piezoelectric Transducer

Piezoelectric transducers are a type of

electroacoustic transducer that convert
the electrical charges produced by
some forms of solid materials into
energy. The word "piezoelectric"
literally means electricity caused by
pressure
Application of Transducers
Pressure Transducer
•The applications of pressure
transducers mainly involve altitude
sensing, pressure sensing, level or
depth sensing, flow sensing, and leak
testing.
•These transducers can be used for
generating electrical power under the
speed breakers on the highways or
roads where the force of the vehicles
can be converted into electrical
energy.
Common application of Transducers
1. Strain gauge
2. Hall Effect
3. Force
4. Torque
5. Power
6. Position
7. Displacements
8. Humidity
9. Temperature
10.Pressure
Types of Electronic Sensors
Temperature Sensor
•A Temperature Sensor, as the name
suggests, senses the temperature i.e., it
measures the changes in the
temperature.
•There are different types of
Temperature Sensors like Temperature
Sensor ICs (like LM35, DS18B20),
Thermistors, Thermocouples, RTD
(Resistive Temperature Devices), etc.
Types of Electronic Sensors
Proximity Sensors
•A Proximity Sensor is a non-contact
type sensor that detects the presence
of an object.
•Proximity Sensors can be
implemented using different
techniques like Optical (like Infrared
or Laser), Sound (Ultrasonic),
Magnetic (Hall Effect), Capacitive,
etc.
•Applications of Proximity Sensors
are Mobile Phones, Car Parking
Types of Electronic Sensors
Infrared Sensor
•IR Sensors or Infrared Sensors are light-based
sensors that are used in various applications like
Proximity and Object Detection.
•There are two types of Infrared or IR Sensors:
Transmissive Type and Reflective Type.
•In Transmissive Type IR Sensor, the IR Transmitter
(usually an IR LED) and the IR Detector (usually a
Photo Diode) are positioned facing each other so
that when an object passes between them, the sensor
detects the object.
Types of Electronic Sensors
Ultrasonic Sensor
•An Ultrasonic Sensor is a non-contact
type device that can be used to measure
distance as well as velocity of an object.
•An Ultrasonic Sensor works based on
the properties of the sound waves with
frequency greater than that of the human
audible range.
Types of Electronic Sensors
Light Sensor
•A simple Light Sensor available
today is the Light Dependent Resistor
or LDR.
•The property of LDR is that its
resistance is inversely proportional to
the intensity of the ambient light i.e.,
when the intensity of light increases,
its resistance decreases and vice-
versa.
Types of Electronic Sensors
Smoke and Gas Sensors
•Almost all offices and industries are
equipped with several smoke
detectors, which detect any smoke
(due to fire) and sound an alarm.
•Gas Sensors are more common in
laboratories, large-scale kitchens, and
industries. They can detect different
gases like LPG, Propane, Butane,
Methane (CH4), etc.
Types of Electronic Sensors
Humidity Sensor
•All humidity sensors measure
relative humidity (a ratio of water
content in the air to the maximum
potential of air to hold water).
•Since relative humidity is dependent
on the temperature of the air, almost
all Humidity Sensors can also
measure Temperature.
Types of Transducers
Types of Transducers based on Quantity to be Measured

 Temperature transducers (e.g., a thermocouple)

 Pressure transducers (e.g., a diaphragm)
 Displacement transducers (e.g., LVDT)
 Oscillator transducer
 Flow transducers
 Inductive Transducer
Temperature Transducers
Thermocouple

 It consists of two wires of different metals are joined together at one end,
a temperature difference between this end and the other end of the wires
produces a voltage between the wires.
 The magnitude of this voltage depends on the materials used for the wires
and the amount of temperature difference between the joined ends and the
other ends.
Inductive Transducers
LINEAR VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSFORMER (LVDT)

It consists basically of a primary winding

and two secondary windings, wound over a
hollow tube and positioned so the primary
winding is between two secondaries. In
figure shows the construction of the LVDT.
Inductive Transducers
LINEAR VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSFORMER (LVDT)

An iron core slides within the tube and

therefore affects the magnet coupling between
the primary and the two secondaries. When the
core is in the center, voltage induced in the two
secondaries is equal. When the core is moved in
one direction from center, the voltage induced
in one winding is increased and that in the other
is decreased. Movement in the opposite
direction reverses this effect
Inductive Transducers
LINEAR VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSFORMER (LVDT)
Types of Transducers
Types of Transducers based on the Principle of Operation

 Photovoltaic (e.g., a solar cell)

 Piezoelectric transducer
 Chemical
 Mutual induction
 Electromagnetic
 Hall effect
 Photoconductors
Types of Transducers
Active and Passive Transducers:

Active or self-generating type transducer:

Do not require external power; produce an analog voltage or current
when stimulated by some physical form of energy.
Examples:
Thermocouples, Photovoltaic cell, tacho generators, Piezoelectric
crystals
Passive transducer:
Requires an external power, and the output measures some variation
(resistance or capacitance).
Examples:
Slide-wire resistor, Resistance strain gauge, Differential transformer
Types of Transducers
Analog and Digital Transducers:

Analog Transducers:
These transducers convert the input quantity into an analog output
which is a continuous function of time.
Examples:
Strain Gauge, LVDT, Thermocouple, Thermistor
Digital transducer:
These transducers convert the input quantity into an electrical output
which is in the form of pulses.
Examples:
Glass Scale can be read optically by means of a light source, an
optical system and photocells.