Sensors are a very common term in the instrumentation industry. Sensors are mainly divided into three categories: commonly used sensors, new types of sensors, and digital sensors. Here, the editor from ICbuy.com will discuss eight types of new sensors in detail:
I. Infrared Sensor:
An infrared sensor is a sensor that converts radiant energy into electrical energy; it is also known as an infrared detector. There are two main types of infrared detectors: thermal detectors and photon detectors. Thermal detectors utilize the change in temperature of the detector's sensitive element caused by incident infrared radiation, which in turn causes corresponding changes in relevant physical parameters. The infrared radiation absorbed by the infrared detector is determined by measuring the changes in these physical parameters.
The main advantages of thermal detectors are their wide response band, ability to operate indoors, and ease of use. However, thermal detectors have a long response time and relatively low sensitivity, and are generally used in applications where infrared radiation changes slowly, such as spectrometers, thermometers, and infrared cameras.
Photon infrared detectors utilize the photon effect generated when certain semiconductor materials are exposed to infrared radiation, causing changes in the material's electrical properties. By measuring these changes, the intensity of the infrared radiation can be determined. The main advantages of photon detectors are high sensitivity, fast response speed, and high response frequency.
However, they generally need to operate at low temperatures and have a narrow detection band, typically used in thermometers, aerial scanners, and thermal imagers. Infrared sensors are widely used in temperature measurement, imaging, composition analysis, and non-destructive testing, especially in military applications such as infrared reconnaissance, infrared radar, infrared communication, and infrared countermeasures.
II. Laser Sensor:
A laser sensor is a sensor that uses laser technology for measurement. It consists of a laser, a laser detector, and a measurement circuit. Laser sensors are a new type of measuring instrument with advantages such as non-contact, long-distance measurement, high speed, high accuracy, large measuring range, and strong resistance to light and electrical interference.
Laser sensors can be classified into four categories according to their working material: 1. Solid-state lasers; 2. Gas lasers; 3. Liquid lasers; 4. Semiconductor lasers.
III. Fiber Optic Sensors:
Fiber optic sensor technology is a novel technology that emerged with the practical application of optical fibers and the development of optical communication technology. Compared with traditional sensors, fiber optic sensors have many advantages, such as high sensitivity, strong resistance to electromagnetic interference, corrosion resistance, good insulation, simple structure, small size, low power consumption, flexible optical path, and ease of remote sensing.
Fiber optic sensors are generally divided into two main categories. One category is sensors that utilize certain sensitive characteristics or functions of the optical fiber itself, which are called functional sensors. The other category is optical fibers that only serve to transmit light waves. Other sensitive elements must be added to the end face or middle of the optical fiber to form a sensor, which are called light transmission sensors.
Regardless of the type of sensor, their working principle is based on modulating a certain parameter of the transmitted light wave by utilizing the change in the measured quantity, causing it to change accordingly. The modulated light signal is then detected to obtain the measured quantity. Fiber optic sensors can measure a wide variety of physical quantities. Currently, practical fiber optic sensors can measure more than 70 physical quantities, thus demonstrating their broad development prospects.
IV. Temperature and humidity sensor:
Temperature and humidity sensors are just one type of sensor. They simply measure the temperature and humidity in the air through a certain detection device, and then convert the measured temperature and humidity into electrical signals or other required forms of information output according to a certain rule to meet user needs.
Because temperature and humidity are closely related both as physical quantities and in people's daily lives, integrated temperature and humidity sensors have emerged. A temperature and humidity sensor is a device that converts temperature and humidity measurements into easily measurable and processable electrical signals. Commercially available temperature and humidity sensors typically measure both temperature and relative humidity.
V. Ultraviolet Sensor:
Ultraviolet (UV) sensors are a type of sensor that uses photosensitive elements to convert UV signals into measurable electrical signals through photovoltaic and photoconductive modes. The earliest UV sensors were based on pure silicon; however, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), pure silicon diodes also respond to visible light, generating unwanted electrical signals and resulting in low accuracy. Gan's UV sensors, with their significantly higher accuracy than single-crystal silicon, have become the most commonly used UV sensor material.
Ultraviolet (UV) sensors are sensors that convert UV signals into electrical signals using photosensitive elements. Their operating modes are generally divided into two categories: photovoltaic (PV) mode and photoconductive mode. Photovoltaic mode refers to the sensor operating without a series battery; current flows through the series resistor, and the sensor acts as a small battery, outputting voltage. However, this mode is more difficult to manufacture and has a higher cost. Photoconductive mode, on the other hand, requires a series battery to operate. The sensor acts as a resistor, and its resistance changes with the intensity of the light. This mode is easier to manufacture and has a lower cost.
VI. Robot Sensors:
A robot sensor is a device that converts the characteristics (or parameters) of a target object into an electrical output, enabling the robot to achieve a perception similar to that of a human. Robot sensors are broadly classified into two categories: internal sensing sensors and external sensing sensors. Internal sensing sensors are used within the robot to perceive its own state in order to adjust and control its actions.
It typically consists of position, acceleration, velocity, and force sensors. External detection sensors are used by the robot to sense the state characteristics of its surrounding environment and objects. This enables the robot to self-correct and adapt to its environment. External sensory components typically include tactile, proximity, visual, auditory, olfactory, and gustatory sensors.
Robot sensors are an essential and important topic in robotics research. We need more, better-performing, more functional, and more integrated sensors to drive the development of robots.
VII. Intelligent Sensors:
A smart sensor is a sensor equipped with a microprocessor that combines information detection, information processing, information memory, logical thinking, and judgment functions.
VIII. Digital Sensors:
Digital sensors are sensors that can directly convert the measured (analog) quantity into a digital output. Digital sensors are a product of the combination of detection technology, microelectronics technology, and computer technology, and represent another important direction in the development of sensor technology. Digital sensors can be divided into three categories: the first is sensors that directly output in digital form, such as absolute encoders that can directly convert displacement into digital quantities.
Secondly, sensors that output data in pulse form, such as incremental encoders, optical gratings, magnetic gratings, and inductive synchros, can convert displacement into a series of counting pulses, which are then counted by a counting system to reflect the value of the measured quantity.
Thirdly, there are sensors that output in the form of frequency, which can convert the measured quantity into a corresponding and easily processed frequency output, hence they are also called frequency sensors. Digital sensors are increasingly widely used in machine tool CNC, automation, and measurement and detection technologies.
