LIGHT CONTROLLED SYSTEMS

1) Aim of the experiment

Here we try to understand the meaning of reversing the polarity of comparator inputs
and also the threshold level of the comparator on a light controlled system.
2)Introduction
A wide range of optical sensors are available , responding to variations of incident light. I
will try to give general information about them ;
Instrumentation for optical measurements generally consists of a light source, a number
of optical
components to generate a light beam with specific characteristics and to direct this light
to some
modulating agent, and a photodetector for processing the optical signal.
An optical sensor unit, free from electrical noise, includes a sensor case which has both
lateral sides having high frequency connectors mounted thereon, and a metallic plate
mounted inside the case. The metallic plate has both ends connected to inner conductors
of the high frequency connectors, and its upper surface having a current and a voltage
sensor unit mounted thereon for measuring the high frequency current and voltage,
respectively. The current sensor unit includes total-reflection mirrors and a current
sensor, and the voltage sensor unit includes further total-reflection mirrors and a voltage
sensor. The voltage sensor has its upper surface having an electrode provided thereon to
be connected to the sensor case. The laser light from outside is input to the current and
voltage sensor units over optical fibers. The signal light output from the current and
voltage sensor units is taken outside on output optical fibers.
Recently, fibre optical sensors (FOS) have gained increased popularity and market
acceptance. In comparison to conventional sensors they offer a number of distinct
advantages which makes them unique for certain types of applications, mainly where
conventional sensors are difficult or impossible to deploy or can not provide the same
wealth of information.
A photodiode is a type of photodetector capable of converting light into
either current or voltage, depending upon the mode of operation. The common,
traditional solar cell used to generate electric solar power is a large area photodiode.
Photodiodes are similar to regular semiconductor diodes except that they may be either
exposed (to detect vacuum UV or X-rays) or packaged with a window or optical

fiber connection to allow light to reach the sensitive part of the device. Many diodes
designed for use specifically as a photodiode use a PIN junction rather than a p-n
junction, to increase the speed of response. A photodiode is designed to operate
in reverse bias.
TYPES OF FIBRE OPTICAL SENSORS

According to the spatial distribution of the measurand (the quantity to be measured),

FOS can be classified as...
Point sensors: the measurement is carried out at a single point in space, but possibly

multiple channels for addressing multiple points. Examples are Fabry-Perot sensors and
single Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors.
Integrated sensors: the measurement averages a physical parameter over a certain

spatial section and provides a single value. An example is a deformation sensor

measuring strain over a long base length.
Quasi-distributed or multiplexed sensors: the measurand is determined at a number of

fixed, discrete points along a single fibre optical cable. The most common example are
multiplexed FBG's.
Distributed sensor: the parameter of interest is measured with a certain spatial

resolution at any point along a single optical cable. Examples include systems based on
Rayleigh, Raman and Brillouin
scattering.
3 )EXPERMENTAL DATA
Comparator
Threshold
Level
1.5

Channel 1
Max. / Min.

Channel 2
Max. / Min.

2.58 V / 1.18 V

8.27 V / - 11.96 V

2.5

2.56 V / 1.16 V

8.27 V / - 4.90 V

3.5

2.55 V / 1.34 V 8.27 V / -11.7 V

4) QUESTIONS

5 ) CONCLUSION
In question one the audible alarm sounds when the light level is high ;
Because when the light level is high , the channel 1 voltage exceeds the treshold value.
Then it begans to sound.
In question two ; alarm sounds for progressively longer periods because the time
required for exceeding the threshold value is getting longer for increasing threshold
values.
In question three ; reversing of input makes vice verca effect to working principle of the
circuit and it stops.(When the light level is high enough for the photocell output voltage to

be below the comparator reference level , the output of the comparator flips negative.The
output of the comparator is used here.)
Any increase in threshold voltage level causes to increase the light intensity.