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Sensors: Eyes That Understand, Perceive and See the World
Sensors: Eyes That Understand, Perceive and See the World
What is a Sensor?
Sensors are electronic devices that detect a physical quantity (such as temperature, pressure, light, movement) and produce this information as an electrical signal. In this way, we understand, measure and control the world around us better. Sensors can be used everywhere from a simple temperature meter to the brain of a complex robot.
Sensor Types and Descriptions
Sensors are divided into many different types according to the physical quantity they detect. Here are the most commonly used sensor types:
• Temperature Sensors:
o Thermistors: Semiconductors whose resistance changes when the temperature changes.
o Thermometers: Devices that show the temperature directly in degrees.
o Thermocouples: Devices that are formed by combining two different metals and produce voltage depending on the temperature difference.
o Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTD): Metallic sensors whose resistance changes as the temperature changes.
o Semiconductor Temperature Sensors: Measure temperature using integrated circuits.
• Infrared (IR) Sensors:
Infrared sensors are light-based sensors and are used in various applications such as object detection and distance measurement. There are two main types:
o Conductive Type: There is an infrared light source and a detector opposite it. When an object passes between them, the connection is broken and the object is detected.
o Reflective Type: The transmitter and detector are adjacent and the sensor detects the object in front of it.
• Light Sensors:
o Photodiodes: Convert light energy into electrical energy.
o Phototransistors: Similar to photodiodes but with higher sensitivity.
o CMOS Image Sensors: These are sensors used in digital cameras that convert light into pixels.
• Motion Sensors:
o PIR Sensors: Detect movement by detecting changes in infrared radiation.
o Ultrasonic Sensors: Measure the distance of objects by sending sound waves.
o Accelerometers: Measure the acceleration of the object.
o Gyroscopes: Measure the rotational motion of the object.
• Proximity Sensors:
Proximity sensors are non-contact sensors that detect the presence of an object. They can be implemented with various techniques:
o Infrared (IR): They are light-based sensors and are used for object detection and distance measurement.
o Ultrasonic: They measure the presence and distance of objects using sound waves.
o Capacitive: They detect changes in the electric field.
• HD Touch Sensors:
Touch sensors are sensors that respond when a surface is touched. There are different types such as capacitance, resistive and piezoelectric touch switches. These sensors are widely used in touch screens and various control panels.
• Magnetic Sensors:
o Hall Sensors: They measure the presence and strength of the magnetic field.
o Magnetic Reed Relays: They are switches that open and close under the influence of a magnetic field.
• Pressure Sensors:
o Piezoelectric Sensors: They contain crystals that produce an electric charge under pressure.
o Capacitive Pressure Sensors: They are sensors whose capacitance changes under pressure.
• Humidity Sensors:
o Capacitive Humidity Sensors: These are sensors whose capacitance changes according to the amount of humidity.
o Resistive Humidity Sensors: These are sensors whose resistance changes according to the amount of humidity.
• Chemical Sensors:
o pH Sensors: Measure the acidity level of solutions.
• Electrical Sensors:
Electrical values such as voltage, current, resistance, inductance, capacitance, polarization, electric field and frequency can be measured.
• Gas Sensors:
Measure the presence and concentration of certain gases in air or liquids.
• Strain Gage (Shape Change) Sensors:
These are sensors that generate electrical signals by detecting the change in resistance and calculating the pressure value.
· Load Cell Pressure Sensors:
Their working principles are the same as strain gage. The detection process is performed by load cells placed at four different points. They are used in electronic scales in the market.
· Position Sensors:
A position sensor is an electronic device that converts the position of an object in space or the movement of a mechanism into an electrical signal. These signals are processed by control systems and used in various applications. For example, measuring the angles in the joints of a robot arm, detecting the position of the gas pedal of a car, or tracking the movement of a part in an industrial machine.
• Inductive proximity sensor:
A type of sensor that can detect metal objects at a certain distance without contact. These sensors are reliable and durable devices widely used in industrial automation systems.
• Capacitive sensors:
They are electronic devices that allow the detection of objects without contact. Unlike inductive sensors, they can detect not only metallic objects, but also many different materials such as wood, paper, glass, and plastic. Thanks to this feature, they have a wide range of use in industrial automation systems.
• Force sensor:
A device that converts the force applied to it into an electrical signal. In other words, it measures how much force is applied to an object and converts this measurement into understandable data. In this way, it is used in applications that require force measurement in many different areas.
• Photoelectric and Laser Sensors:
Electronic devices that use light (usually visible or infrared) to detect the presence or absence of objects. It measures their positions and distances without contact. They are widely used in industrial automation, robotics and many other areas.
• Flow sensor:
An electronic device used to measure the flow rate or amount of liquid or gas passing through a pipe or channel. These sensors are used in many areas such as industrial automation, automotive, environmental engineering.
• Vibration sensor:
A device that detects the vibration or movement of an object and converts this information into an electrical signal. In other words, it measures how fast and violently an object vibrates. This measurement is used in many different areas to provide information about the status of systems and help detect potential problems in advance.
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• Rain sensor:
It is a system that detects raindrops falling on the windshield of vehicles and enables the wipers to work automatically. In this way, drivers do not have to manually adjust the wipers according to the intensity of the rain, thus increasing driving safety and comfort.
• Sound Sensors:
o Microphones: Convert sound waves into electrical signals.
• Analog and Digital Sensors:
Sensors can be classified as analog or digital according to the type of output signal. While analog sensors produce a continuously changing signal, digital sensors produce a digital signal representing a certain value.
• Active and Passive Sensors:
Sensors can be classified as active or passive according to their working principle. While active sensors make measurements using their own energy, passive sensors require an external energy source.
Areas of Use of Sensors
Sensors are used in every area of our lives today. For example:
• Automotive: Used in many areas such as engine control, security systems, parking assistant.
• Industry: Used in automation of production processes, quality control and maintenance and repair operations.
• Medicine: Used in areas such as diagnosis, treatment monitoring and biomedical devices.
Home Automation: Used in many areas such as lighting, heating and security in smart home systems.
Robotics: Used for robots to perceive and interact with their surroundings.
Aviation: Used in aircraft control, navigation and security systems.
Sensors are becoming smaller, more sensitive and smarter thanks to constantly developing technology. This allows the areas of use of sensors to expand even further and new applications to make our lives easier.
In summary
Sensors are important electronic components that help us understand and control the world around us. They perceive various physical quantities and convert this information into electrical signals. Sensors are used in every area of our lives, from automotive to medical and home automation.
Sensors are indispensable components of modern technology and provide information to electronic systems by detecting various physical variables. Different types such as temperature, proximity, infrared, ultrasonic and touch sensors are used in a wide range of applications from daily life to industrial applications. These sensors form the basis of many automation and control systems that make our lives more comfortable and safe.
Sensor, Sensors, Sensor Types