Course Title Sensors and Measurements Number EEL7040

Department Electrical Engineering L-T-P [C] 3 0 0 [3]

Offered for M. Tech. 1st year Type Compulsory
Pre-requisite Semiconductor Devices

EEL7041: Sensor characteristics [1-0-0]

(Fractal 1) Definitions, terminology, classification, Static vs dynamic properties of transducers, Transfer functions, Ideal and
realistic transducer models, Resolution, linearization, dynamic range, detection threshold, Selectivity & sensitivity, Calibration,
Errors of the experimental measurements, Noise: electronics, environmental & internal (14 lectures)

EEL7042: Physical Principle of Sensing [1-0-0]

(Fractal 2) Capacitance, Magnetism, Induction, Resistance, Piezoelectric effect, Pyroelectric effect, Hall effect, Thermoelectric
effect, Temperature and thermal properties of materials and heat transfer, Optics, Fiber optics and waveguides (14 lectures)

EEL7043: Sensor Interface and Applications [1-0-0]

(Fractal 3) Input characteristics of interface circuits, Amplifiers, Light to voltage converters, Capacitance to voltage converters,
Bridge Circuits, Excitation circuits. Case Studies: Inertial Sensors (Accelerometer & gyroscope), Healthcare Sensors
(Glucometer, ECG & MRI), Smart building Sensors (Smoke & occupancy sensors) (14 lectures)

Text Books
1. Jacob Fraden, (2010), Handbook of Modern Sensors, 5th Edition, Springer.
2. J. W. Gardner, (1996), Microsensors, Principles and Applications, 1st Edition, Wiley.
3. S. M. Sze, (1994), Semiconductor Sensors, 1st Edition, Wiley.
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 Sensors, Signals, and Systems

IOT
Optical sensor

Gas sensor
Microphone

Probe

Level control system.

A sensor is a device that receives a stimulus and responds with

an electrical signal.
 Transducers
Transducer
a device that converts a primary form of energy into a corresponding signal
with a different energy form
Primary Energy Forms: mechanical, thermal, electromagnetic, optical,
chemical, etc.
take form of a sensor or an actuator
Sensor (e.g., thermometer)
A device that responds to a physical stimulus and responds with an electrical
signal

Actuator (e.g., heater)

A device or mechanism capable of performing a physical action

sensor intelligent
real
feedback
world
actuator system
 Two types of sensors; direct and complex:

Direct
A sensor that can convert a non-electrical stimulus into an electrical signal
Thermocouple (temperature to voltage)
Indirect/Complex
A sensor that multiple conversion steps to transform the measured signal into an electrical signal.
A fiber-optic displacement sensor:

sensor may incorporate several transducers. s1, s2, and so on are various types of energy. Note that the last part
is a direct sensor producing electrical output e
 Sensor Systems
Typically interested in electronic sensor
convert desired parameter into electrically measurable signal
General Electronic Sensor
primary transducer
secondary transducer: converts electrical signal into analog or digital values

real primary analog secondary usable

world transducer signal transducer values

sensor
Typical Electronic Sensor System

input
signal sensor data microcontroller network
(measurand)
sensor signal processing display
analog/digital
communication
 Example Electronic Sensor Systems
Components vary with application
digital sensor within an instrument
microcontroller keypad
sensor µC
signal timing signal timing
data storage sensor memory display
handheld instrument

analog sensor analyzed by a PC

sensor interface e.g., RS232
PC
sensor A/D, communication
signal processing comm. card

multiple sensors displayed over internet

internet

sensor sensor
sensor bus sensor bus
processor PC processor
comm. comm.
comm. card
Example

Direct sensor actuator link (not always possible)

Two transducer steps (sound-electrical and vice versa)
Note: sensor/actuator are one and the same

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Example

Direct sensor actuator link

Two transducer steps (sound-vibration and vice versa)
What is the sensor sensor/actuator and what is the transducer?

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Example

Direct sensor actuator link

Does not work:
Sound is converted into change of resistance
Cannot work in opposite direction either

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More confusion
Transducer can mean:
Sensor
Actuator
transducer can be part of a sensor
sensor can be part of a transducer
Many sensors can work as actuators (duality)
Many actuators can work as sensors
What is it then?

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Definitions:
Sensor
A device that responds to a physical stimulus.

Transducer
A device that converts energy of one form into energy of another form.

Actuator
A device or mechanism capable of performing a physical action

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Definitions:
Stimulus
The quantity that is sensed.
Sometimes called the measurements.
 What are some quantities that can be sensed?

Motion, position, displacement Sound

Velocity and acceleration Moisture
Force, strain Light
Pressure Radiation
Flow Temperature
Chemical presence

These quantities are the stimulus.

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 The Response is an Electrical Signal

When we say electrical we mean a The voltage, current or charge

signal which can be channeled, may be describe by:
amplified and modified by Amplitude
electronic devices: Frequency
Voltage Phase
Current Digital code
Charge

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 Physical Principles of Sensing

Charges, fields & potentials Seebeck and Peltier effects

Capacitance Thermal properties of materials
Magnetism Heat transfer
Induction Light
Resistance
Piezoelectric effect
Classification of Sensors

Based on physical laws

Based on any convenient distinguishing property
Possible to a certain extent - some devices defy classification

1. Active and Passive sensors

2. Contact and non-contact sensors
3. Absolute and relative sensors
4. Other schemes
 1. Active and passive sensors

Active sensor: a sensor that requires external power to operate. Examples: the
carbon microphone, thermistors, strain gauges, capacitive and inductive
sensors, etc.
Other name: parametric sensors (output is a function of a parameter - like
resistance)

Passive sensor: generates its own electric signal and does not require a power
source. Examples: thermocouples, magnetic microphones, piezoelectric
sensors.
Other name: self-generating sensors
2. Contact and noncontact sensors

Contact sensor: a sensor that requires physical contact with the stimulus.
Examples: strain gauges, most temperature sensors

Non-contact sensor: requires no physical contact. Examples: most optical and

magnetic sensors, infrared thermometers, etc.
3. Absolute and relative sensors

Absolute sensor: a sensor that reacts to a stimulus on an absolute scale:

Thermistors, strain gauges, etc., (thermistor will always read the absolute
temperature)

Relative scale: The stimulus is sensed relative to a fixed or variable reference.

Thermocouple measures the temperature difference, pressure is often
measured relative to atmospheric pressure.
4. Other schemes
Classification by broad area of detection
Electric sensors
Magnetic
Electromagnetic
Acoustic
Chemical
Optical
Heat, Temperature
Mechanical
Radiation
Biological
Etc.
 4. Other schemes (cont.)
Classification by physical law
Photoelectric
Magnetoelectric
Thermoelectric
Photoconductive
Magnitostrictive
Electrostrictive
Photomagnetic
Thermoelastic
Thermomagnetic
Thermooptic
Electrochermical
Magnetoresistive
Photoelastic
Etc.
 4. Other schemes (cont.)
Classification by specifications
Accuracy
Sensitivity
Stability
Response time
Hysteresis
Frequency response
Input (stimulus) range
Resolution
Linearity
Hardness (to environmental conditions, etc.)
Cost
Size, weight,
Construction materials
Operating temperature
Etc.
 4. Other schemes (cont.)
Classification by area of application
Consumer products
Military applications
Infrastructure
Energy
Heat
Manufacturing
Transportation
Automotive
Avionic
Marine
Space
Scientific
Etc.
 Positions of sensors in a data acquisition system.

A data recorder, a display,

an alarm, etc.

Sensor 1 is noncontact, sensors 2 and 3 are passive, sensor 4 is active, and sensor 5 is internal to a data
acquisition system
Multiple sensors, actuators, and warning signals are parts of the
advanced safety vehicle
Sensor Characteristics