What is a Sensor?
A sensor is an electronic component, module, or subsystem whose purpose is to detect events or changes in its environment and send the information to other electronics, frequently a computer processor. A sensor is always used with other electronics, whether as simple as a light or as complex as a computer.
Sensors are used in everyday objects such as touch-sensitive elevator buttons (tactile sensor) and lamps which dim or brighten by touching the base, besides innumerable applications of which most people are never aware. With advances in micro machinery and easy-to-use microcontroller platforms, the uses of sensors have expanded beyond the traditional fields of temperature, pressure or flow measurement, for example into MARG sensors. Moreover, analog sensors such as potentiometers and force-sensing resistors are still widely used. Applications include manufacturing and machinery, airplanes and aerospace, cars, medicine, robotics and many other aspects of our day-to-day life.
A sensor's sensitivity indicates how much the sensor's output changes when the input quantity being measured changes. For instance, if the mercury in a thermometer moves 1 cm when the temperature changes by 1 °C, the sensitivity is 1 cm/°C (it is basically the slope Dy/Dx assuming a linear characteristic). Some sensors can also affect what they measure; for instance, a room temperature thermometer inserted into a hot cup of liquid cools the liquid while the liquid heats the thermometer. Sensors are usually designed to have a small effect on what is measured; making the sensor smaller often improves this and may introduce other advantages.Technological progress allows more and more sensors to be manufactured on a microscopic scale as microsensors using MEMS technology. In most cases, a microsensor reaches a significantly higher speed and sensitivity compared with macroscopic approaches.
Here are few lists of sensors that can be used in projects using Raspberry Pi,Arduino,8051 and many other devices.
DIGITAL SENSORS
- HC-SR501 PYROELECTRIC INFRARED PIR MOTION SENSOR
HC-SR501 is based on infrared technology, automatic control module, using Germany imported LHI778 probe design, high sensitivity, high
reliability, ultra-low-voltage operating mode, widely used in various auto-sensing electrical equipment, especially for battery-powered automatic
controlled products. Used for projects in Human/intruder detection and Home Automation.There are 2 controls to adjust Timing and Range of the sensor,White covering is the fresnels lens used to increase the range of this sensor.
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DHT11 Digital Temperature and Humidity Sensor Module
This sensor comes with a single digital pin and one VCC (3.3v) and ground pin.(used for measuring temprature and humidity with an accuracy of +-0.5 degree C.
DHT11 digital temperature and humidity sensor is a composite Sensor contains a calibrated
digital signal output of the temperature and humidity. Application of a dedicated digital modules
collection technology and the temperature and humidity sensing technology, to ensure that the
product has high reliability and excellent long-term stability. The sensor includes a resistive sense
of wet components and an NTC temperature measurement devices, and connected with a
high-performance 8-bit microcontroller.
、Applications:
HVAC, dehumidifier, testing and inspection equipment, consumer goods, automotive, automatic
control, data loggers, weather stations, home appliances, humidity regulator, medical and other humidity
measurement and control.
Features:
Low cost, long-term stability, relative humidity and temperature measurement, excellent quality, fast
response, strong anti-interference ability, long distance signal transmission, digital signal output, and
precise calibration.
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SW-18015P- 18015P Vibration Sensor
This Vibration Sensor use the SW-18015P from MEC to measure the vibration.It can trigger from any angle, and often used for flex, touch, vibration and shock measurements.
There is an on-board potentiometer to adjust the threshold of vibration.It outputs logic HIGH when this module not triggered while logic Low when triggered.
APPLICATIONS
- Used for Musical Light Project
- Earthquake detection system
- Security devices
- Toys /Movement detection
- Electronic scales
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Very informative and knowledgeable blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you Varsha.
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