What is Sensor ? Technology Gyan

 Today in this growing technology era, sensors are used all around us in electric devices. You might be surprised to know that how many times the sensor is used in our daily routine too. Sensors are in all those electronic devices that we use at home, in the office or at work, in our vehicles and practically everywhere. Today we have become so dependent on our devices that we cannot even imagine living without it, and these sensors are used in almost all devices.



Nowadays we are in such an era, where we want to know everything immediately. Want to know information remotely at any time, from anywhere and from any device. For example, if you want to know the weather information, then you have to use the app on your smartphone. Before you can open the app, you'll need to use the biometric sensor to unlock your phone at that point.

 

By the way, to know the information of weather, hundreds of weather sensors have been made at different geographical locations, which tell information about wind speed, humidity, solar, light and temperature etc. Sensors are mostly used in electronic devices, such as remotes, lights, cameras, mobiles, smart TVs, robots, satellites, etc. That is, sensors have become an important part of our daily life.

Sensor Definition

A sensor is an electronic device that is used to detect and observe bodily movements and to pass information or signals to other types of electrical control devices. In other words, a sensor is an electronic device that converts electrical energy from one form to another and gives information.

what is sensor

The Hindi meaning of the word sensor is to sense any data. That is, to feel or know. A sensor is a device that detects inputs (such as motion, pressure, temperature, light, heat, humidity, etc.) from the physical environment in nature and responds as an output. Typically the output signal data is converted on the sensor in the form of a human-readable display or into an electrical signal. Which can be seen and read by humans on the electric device display.

In other words, a sensor is a device that detects the presence of any physical object in the vicinity from the external environment and gives information about it. There are different types of sensors available in the markets which are used to detect light, motion, temperature, magnetic field, gravity, humidity, moisture, vibration, pressure, electric field, sound and other physical objects in the external environment. Any data information from the environment is collected using sensors and used for the Internet of Things.

For example- vehicles are fitted with sensors that check the air in the tires of the vehicle, automatically opening or closing the doors of the car, automatically turning on the headlights with the help of light sensors and the cooling system of the engine. Monitoring etc.

Apart from this, Remote Sensor is used to change the channel of TV in your house. There are also sensors in the refrigerator, which is a light sensor. When the refrigerator door is opened, the bulb inside the refrigerator gets lit and as soon as the refrigerator door is closed, the refrigerator bulb also turns off.

sensor type

Mainly, sensors are divided into analog and digital. Analog Sensors tell very accurate information about physical objects. Whereas Digital Sensors tell about the position of the objects. There are many different types of sensors that are used in a variety of ways from easy to difficult tasks. Some of these main sensors are-

Temperature Sensor

Temperature Sensor works to measure the temperature of different types of objects or the change in temperature in the environment. It is mostly used in medical, automotive, aerospace, computer, refrigerator, air conditioning system and agricultural sectors etc. Right now in the epidemic of Kovid-19, Electronic Thermometer is being used mostly to check body temperature. Examples are devices like Thermocouple, Thermometer, Resistance Temperature Detector, Semiconductor Temperature Sensors etc.

Proximity Sensor

The Proximity Sensor detects nearby objects very easily without touching it. This sensor is mostly used in smartphones, tablet computers, machines, robotic systems and electronic devices etc. It can be of many types like-

  • Capacitive Proximity Sensors
  • Inductive Proximity Sensors
  • Magnetic Proximity Sensors

Infrared Sensor

Infrared Sensor is also called IR Blaster or Remote Sensor. Infrared sensor measures the heat of any object, along with it can also detect motion. IR sensors emit infrared light. With the help of IR Sensors, the smartphone can be used as a remote control.

Example- Infrared Sensors are used in TV Remote, Set Top Box, DVD Player, Car Audio Player, AC Remote or any remote operated electric device.

Light Sensor

Light sensor is a photoelectric device. It converts Light Energy into Electrical Signal. That's why it is also called Photo Sensor. Light Sensors are widely used in Solar Systems, Automobiles, Agriculture Sectors, Mobile Phones, Computers, Tablets and Security Applications etc. These are of three types.

  1. Photodiode
  2. Phototransistor
  3. Photoresistor

Accelerometer Sensor

Accelerometer Sensor is a device that measures the speed, acceleration or velocity of a particular device or vehicle. This sensor is used for many applications. Such as controlling robots by hand gestures, navigation facilities for aircraft and missiles, vehicle acceleration, and rotating electronic devices such as turbines, rollers, fans, compressors, pumps, and more.

Pressure Sensor

Pressure Sensor is also known as Pressure Transducer/Transmitter or Piezometer. The pressure sensor provides electrical signal to the controller by detecting the pressure of air, gas, liquid and water. Pressure sensors are used in many systems like- Pneumatic, Hydraulic, Vacuum Systems, etc.

Ultrasonic Sensor

Using Ultrasonic Sensor, we find out the distance between transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals. They have three main parts, transmitter, receiver and trans receiver. These sensors emit sound waves in frequencies that cannot be heard by humans. They are used for measuring fluid levels, self driving, height control, robotic sensing, etc. They can also be used in security related equipment.

Touch Sensor

Touch Sensor is also called Tactile Sensor. It is used to detect physical touch and in industrial applications. Such as Light Switch On/Off, Remote Control by Air Conditioner (AC), Open/Close Doors, Robotics, Laptop, Smartphone etc.

For example- Oximeter is the best example of touch sensors to find out the level of oxygen in the human body. In this COVID-19 pandemic, Pulse Oximeter is in high demand. It is very easy to use it even at your home.

Smoke or Gas Sensor

The device used to detect gas or smoke is called a smoke sensor. These sensors detect various types of poisonous gases or explosive gases smoke in the air. Smoke Sensor is used in buildings, ships, plants, industries, airplanes etc. Smoke or Gas Sensor is divided into three parts.

  • Optical Type Smoke Sensors
  • Ionization Type Smoke Sensors
  • Laser Type Smoke Sensors

Humidity Sensor

Humidity Sensor is also known as a Hygrometer. This sensor is very helpful for detecting the air temperature in the atmosphere and moisture in the soil. Mostly it is used in air conditioner (AC). The WS1 Pro is an example of a Wireless Humidity Sensor.

Flow Sensor

Flow sensor detects the flow and level information of any fluid. It is a magnetic device, when the water level rises, it sends a signal to the magnet switch so that its controller can be controlled by alarm. This sensor is used in industrial sector, power generation equipment, power plant etc.

Tilt Sensor

Tilt Sensor detects the tilt or rotation of the surface and angular momentum in different axes of objects. They are mostly used as security alarms in vehicles, boats and aircraft etc. to avoid accidents.

Name of sensor applications

Sensors are used in a variety of industries for a wide variety of applications. It is widely used in its daily life applications as well as industrial application areas. Applications of sensors are used in electronic projects, robotics, industry, telecommunications, computer hardware and many more.

Sensors collect various types of information from the environment and send it to the computer as input. The system then converts the input into an output signal and the information is then visible to the user on an analog or digital device. Below are the names of some sensor applications-

  1. Automation
  2. Robotics
  3. Medical
  4. Chemical
  5. Smart Cars
  6. Avionics
  7. Satellites
  8. Embedded Systems
  9. Smart Homes
  10. Smartphones
  11. Smart Watches
  12. Energy plants
  13. Manufacturing
  14. Remote Sensing
  15. Communications

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