Different Types of Sensors

There are different types of sensors used to measure the physical properties like
heartbeat & pules, Speed, Heat transfer, temperature etc. Types of sensors are listed
below and we will discuses the usual types one by one in details with uses and
applications.
 Infrared Sensor(IR Sensor)
 Temperature & Thermocouple Sensors
 Proximity Sensor
 Ultrasonic sensor
 Accelerometers & Gyroscope Sensor
 Pressure Sensor
 Hall Effect Sensor
 Load cell
 Light Sensor
 Color Sensor
 Touch Sensor
 Tilt Sensor
 PIR Motion Detector & Vibration Sensor
 Metal detector, Water Flow & Heartbeat Sensor
 Flow and Level Sensor
 Smoke, Fog, Gas, Ethanol & Alcohol Sensor
 Humidity, Soil Moisture & Rain Sensor
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.
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 sensor 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.

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, and 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 element for transmitter and receiver. Whereas ultrasonic sensor uses single
element for transmission and reception.

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
cannot. 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. 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.

Digital Sensors
When data is converted and transmitted digitally, it is called as 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.

Light Sensor
Digital LED or Opto-detector used to produce a Digital Signal to measured 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
1. Detection of leaks in gas pipes and cables using pressure sensor
2. Pressure monitoring in Tiers
3. Monitoring airflow
4. Measuring level
5. Inhalers (medical device)
Real Time Applications of Sensors
IR Sensor Applications:
Radiation thermometers: It works due to 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 source for communication. TV remote consists of buttons and PCB.
PCB consists of 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 will be connected to IR LED. A sensor is placed on the receiving end
of 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.
Accuracy, resolution, sensitivity are depend on the type of sensor and there is
many types
The interface with microcontroller is a big data so I cannot put it here in my report