INTRODUCTION TO SMART SENSORS

Smart sensors is a sensor in which a silicon sensor or micro sensor is integrated with either a part or all its associated processing elements. A smart sensor is the integration of sensor and electronics allows it to be treated as a module, or black-box, where the internal complexities of the sensor are kept remote from the host system. Smart sensors may also have additional integrated sensors to monitor, say, localized temperature changes. This is sometimes referred to as the sensor within- asensor approach and is an important feature of smart sensor technology. Sensors + interfacing circuit = Smart Sensors Sensors capable of doing Logic functions. Two way communication. Make decisions

FUNCTIONS OF SMART SENSORS:

Information Processing Compensation Communications Integration Validation Data fusion Compensation : It is the ability of the system to detect and respond to changes in the network environment through self-diagnostic routines, self-calibration and adaptation. Information processing: It encompasses the data related processing that aims to enhance and interpret the collected data and maximize the efficiency of the system , through signal conditioning, data reduction, event detection and decision making. Communications: component of sensor systems incorporates the standardized network protocol which serves to links the distributed sensors in a coherent manner, enabling efficient communications and fault tolerance. Integration: In smart sensors involves the coupling of sensing and computation at the chip level. This can be implemented using micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS),nano-technology and biotechnology.

Validation of sensors is required to avoid the potential disastrous effects of the propagation of erroneous data. The incorporation of data validation into smart sensors increases the overall reliability of the system . Data fusion techniques are required in order combine information from multiple sensors and sensor types and to ensure that only the most relevant information is transmitted between sensors ELEMENTS OF SMART SENSORS :

Amplification Analog processing Data conversion Digital processing Data communication Control processor AMPLIFICATION: Amplification is usually a fundamental requirement, as most sensors tend to produce signal levels that are significantly lower than those used in the digital processor. Resistive sensors in a bridge configuration often require an instrumentation amplifier; piezoelectric devices may need a charge amplifier. If possible, it is advantageous to have the gain as close as possible to the sensing element.

DATA CONVERSION: Data conversion is the transition region between the continuous (real-world) signals and the discrete signals associated with the digital processor. Typically, this stage comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Inputs from other sensors (monitoring) can be fed into the data conversion subsystem and may be used to implement compensation, say for temperature. Note that such signals may also require amplification before data conversion. Resonant sensors, whose signals are in the frequency domain, do not need a data conversion stage as their outputs can often be fed directly into the digital system.

DIGITAL PROCESSING: The digital processing element mainly concerns the software processes within the smart sensor. These may be simple routines such as those required for implementing sensor compensation (linearization, cross-sensitivity, offset), or they may be more sophisticated techniques such as pattern recognition methods (such as neural networks) for sensor array devices.

DATA COMMUNICATIONS: The data communications element deals with the routines necessary for passing and receiving data and control signals to the sensor bus. It is often the case that the smart sensor is a single device within a multisensor system. Individual sensors can communicate with each other in addition to the host system. There are many examples of commercial protocols that are used in smart sensor systems, but we will not go into detail here. It is sufficient to be aware that the smart sensor will often have to deal with situations such as requests for data, calibration signals, error checking, and message identification. Of course, it is feasible in some applications that the data communications may simply be a unit that provides an analog voltage or current signal.

CONTROL PROCESSOR: The control processor often takes the form of a microprocessor. It is generally the central component within the smart sensor and is connected to most of the other elements, as we have already seen. The software routines are implemented within the processor and these will be stored within the memory unit. The control processor may also issue requests for self-test routines or set the gain of the amplifier. The control processor often takes the form of a microprocessor. It is generally the central component within the smart sensor and is connected to most of the other elements, as we have already seen. The software routines are implemented within the processor

and these will be stored within the memory unit. The control processor may also issue requests for self-test routines or set the gain of the amplifier.

APPLICATIONS OF SMART SENSORS:

ACCELEROMETER: It consists of the sensing element and the electronics on silicon. The accelerometer itself is a metal-coated SiO2 cantilever beam that is fabricated on silicon chip where the capacitance between the beam and the substrate provides the output signal. OPTICAL SENSOR: Optical sensor is used for measuring exposure in cameras, optical angle encoders and optical arrays. INFRARED DETECTOR: Here infrared sensing element is developed using polysilicon. INTEGRATED MULTISENSOR: This chip contains devices for signal conditioning with on chip sensor.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS:
STRUCTURAL MONITORING: It is needed to detect damages of industrial infrastructure. GEOLOGICAL MAPPING: 1. It is needed to detect the minerals on the geological areas. 2. Digital imaging & interpretation of tunnel geology. 3. Remote measurements of tunnel response. AEROSPACE APPLICATION: Smart sensors combined with actuators used in engines to propel the plane. Smart sensors to control the actuators while in automatic-pilot mode.

 Smart sensors for measuring acceleration, altitude, tilt etc., to feed the computers in the flight to enable corrections. AUTOMOBILE APPLICATION: Smart sensors can be utilized to study the communication between engine, transmission, suspension, braking and other controls to optimize the performance of the automobile. But the use of smart sensors in automobile is restricted due to the fact that cost constraints are paramount with its implementation. DISADVANTAGES: Since some smart sensors consists of both sensors and actuators, so it is more complexed than other simple sensors. The complexity is much higher in the wired smart sensor, as a consequence the cost are also higher.