Introduction to Sensors

DR. ASHRAF SALEEM

ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT
SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY
MUSCAT, OMAN
 Contents

 Transducers and Sensors

 Transducers performance characteristics
 Why transducers in control systems
 Control system components
 Transducers type selection
 Transducers and Sensors
3

 A measuring device passes through two stages while

measuring a signal:
 The variable is felt or sensed
 Then the measured signal is transduced (or converted) into the form
of the device output.
 Hence, the terms sensor and transducer are used
interchangeably to denote a sensor-transducer unit.
 Typically, the measured signal is transduced (or converted)
into a form that is particularly suitable for transmitting,
recording, conditioning, processing, activating a
controller, or driving an actuator. Therefore, output a
transducer is often an electrical signal.

Dr. Ashraf Saleem

 Definition
4

 A Transducer is a device when actuated by energy in one

transmission system, supplies energy in the same form or
another form to a second transmission system. This energy
transmission may include electrical, mechanical, chemical,
optical, or thermal.
 Transducers include devices that convert mechanical force or
displacement into an electrical signal. It also include devices that
provide an output signal from a non-mechanical input such as
heat, light, intensity, humidity.
 Classification of transducers according to their electrical
principle:
 Passive transducers: these require external power [strain gauge,
photo conductive cell,…)
 Self-generating type transducers: these do not require external power
[solar cell, thermocouple, ….]

Dr. Ashraf Saleem

 Transducers Characteristics
5

 Range: This is the limit of movement of the physical input over

which electrical output stays within a specified amount.
Overloading may be possible if the range is exceeded, but it will
not usually follow the normal law of the transducer.
 Sensitivity: the ratio of electrical output to unit input (e.g. 1
volt/mm)
 Accuracy and precision (repeatability): these refer to the
ability of a transducer to give the same electrical output for the
same input at different times.
 Linearity: the graph of electrical output/physical input may
deviate from straight line over the specified range. This deviation
may be expressed as a percentage full scale output.

Dr. Ashraf Saleem

 Transducers Characteristics
6

 Resolution: This refers to the smallest input change which will

provide a change in the output.
 Frequency response: If the transducer is being used to measure
moving objects, a good frequency response implies the ability of
electrical output to follow these movement faithfully.
 Linearity: It is normally desirable that the output reading of an
instrument is linearly proportional to the quantity being measured.
 Hysteresis: output may be different depending on whether the input
is increasing or decreasing. Hysteresis is often quantified in terms of
the maximum hysteresis expressed as a percent of the span.
 Electrical and mechanical: the electrical characteristics, e.g.
impedance, insulation resistance are important. The transducer may
need an external supply. Mechanically it may have to be light in weight,
or a certain size.

Dr. Ashraf Saleem

 Why Sensors in Control Systems
7

 To measure the system outputs for feedback control.

 To measure system inputs (desirable inputs, unknown
inputs, and disturbances) for feedforward control.
 To measure output signals for system monitoring,
diagnosis, evaluation, parameter adjustment, and
supervisory control.
 To measure input and output signals for system testing and
experimental modeling (i.e., for system identification)

Dr. Ashraf Saleem

 Control System Components
8

Actuators Controlled Sensors

Inductive, Capacitive,
Electrical Motors, System Resistive, Ultrasonic,
Pneumatic, Hydraulic
Photo

Conditioning &
Graphical
Interface
display
LED, LCD, CRT Output: Input:
D/A, Power A/D, Filter,
Circuit Amplifier

Control
Architectures
mcontroller, PLC, PC,
DSP
Control Algorithm
Dr. Ashraf Saleem 9/24/2014