IoT Sensors, Introduction

Sensors characteristics :

1.Static
2.Dynamic

1. Static characteristics :
It is about how the output of a sensor changes in response to an input change after steady state
condition.

•Accuracy: Accuracy is the capability of measuring instruments to give a result close to the true value of the
measured quantity. It measures errors. It is measured by absolute and relative errors. Express the
correctness of the output compared to a higher prior system. Absolute error = Measured value – True value
Relative error = Measured value/True value

•Range: Gives the highest and the lowest value of the physical quantity within which the sensor can
actually sense. Beyond these values, there is no sense or no kind of response.
e.g. RTD for measurement of temperature has a range of -200c to 800c.

•Resolution: Resolution is an important specification for selection of sensors. The higher the resolution,
better the precision. When the accretion is zero to, it is called the threshold.
Provide the smallest changes in the input that a sensor is able to sense.
•Precision: It is the capacity of a measuring instrument to give the same reading when repetitively
measuring the same quantity under the same prescribed conditions.
It implies agreement between successive readings, NOT closeness to the true value.
It is related to the variance of a set of measurements. It is a necessary but not sufficient condition for
accuracy.

•Sensitivity: Sensitivity indicates the ratio of incremental change in the response of the system with
respect to incremental change in input parameters. It can be found from the slope of the output
characteristics curve of a sensor. It is the smallest amount of difference in quantity that will change
the instrument’s reading.

•Linearity: The deviation of the sensor value curve from a particularly straight line. Linearity is
determined by the calibration curve. The static calibration curve plots the output amplitude versus
the input amplitude under static conditions. A curve’s slope resemblance to a straight line describes
linearity.

•Drift: The difference in the measurement of the sensor from a specific reading when kept at that
value for a long period of time.
Dynamic Characteristics :
Properties of the systems

•Zero-order system: The output shows a response to the input signal with no delay. It does not include
energy-storing elements.
Ex. potentiometer measure, linear and rotary displacements.

•First-order system: When the output approaches its final value gradually. Consists of an energy storage
and dissipation element.

•Second-order system: Complex output response. The output response of the sensor oscillates before
steady state.

Sensor Classification :
•Passive & Active
•Analog & digital
•Scalar & vector
1.Passive Sensor –
Can not independently sense the input. Ex- Accelerometer, soil moisture, water level and temperature sensors.

2.Active Sensor –
Independently sense the input. Example- Radar, sounder and laser altimeter sensors.

3.Analog Sensor –
The response or output of the sensor is some continuous function of its input parameter. Ex- Temperature sensor,
LDR, analog pressure sensor and analog hall effect.

4.Digital sensor –
Response in binary nature. Design to overcome the disadvantages of analog sensors. Along with the analog
sensor, it also comprises extra electronics for bit conversion. Example – Passive infrared (PIR) sensor and digital
temperature sensor(DS1620).

5.Scalar sensor –
Detects the input parameter only based on its magnitude. The answer for the sensor is a function of magnitude
of some input parameter. Not affected by the direction of input parameters. Example – temperature, gas, strain,
colour and smoke sensor.
6.Vector sensor –
The response of the sensor depends on the magnitude of the direction and orientation of input parameter.
Example – Accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic field and motion detector sensors.
What are IoT Sensors?
IoT sensors are pieces of hardware that detect changes in an environment and
collect data. They’re the pieces of an IoT ecosystem that bridge the digital world to
the physical world. IoT sensors may detect things like temperature, pressure, and
motion, and if they are connected to a network, they share data with the network.
Types of IoT Sensors

There are many different types of sensors, and they come in different shapes and sizes.
Here are 14 of the most common types and uses of sensors.

1. Temperature Sensors

Temperature sensors measure the amount of heat generated from an area or an object.
They detect a temperature change and convert the findings to data. Temperature sensors
are used in various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture. Some
examples are thermistors, thermocouples, and resistor temperature detectors (RTD).
2. Proximity Sensors

Proximity sensors detect the presence or absence of objects near the sensor without physical
contact. They often emit a beam of radiation like infrared or an electromagnetic field. They can
be used for process monitoring and control, object counting, assembly lines, and determining
available space. Proximity sensors are common in retail settings, industrial complexes, and
parking lots. Some examples are photoelectric, magnetic, capacitive, inductive, and ultrasonic.

3. Pressure Sensors

These sensors detect changes in a gas or liquid. When the pressure range is beyond a set
threshold, pressure sensors alert to the problem. They are used for leak testing, water systems,
vehicles, and aircraft. For example, the BMP180 is a digital pressure sensor found in cell phones
and GPS navigation devices. And some vehicles use a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to
alert when tire pressure is low and potentially unsafe.
4. Water Quality Sensors

As you’d expect, water quality sensors monitor the quality of water. They are often used in water
distribution systems, but they function in a variety of industries. There are different kinds of
water sensors, including residual chlorine sensors, turbidity sensors, pH sensors, and total
organic carbon sensors.

5. Chemical and Gas Sensors

These sensors monitor air quality for the presence of toxic or hazardous gas. They often use
semiconductor, electrochemical, or photo-ionization technologies for detection. They are
typically used in industrial and manufacturing settings, though they are also found in carbon
dioxide detectors.
6. Infrared Sensors

Some sensors either detect or emit infrared radiation to sense characteristics and changes in the
surrounding area. They’re useful for measuring heat emissions from an object. Infrared sensors
are used in remote controls, healthcare settings, and even by art historians authenticating
artwork.

7. Smoke Sensors

Most people are familiar with smoke detectors, as they have protected our homes and
businesses for a long time. However, with improvements based on IoT, smoke detectors are now
more user-friendly, convenient, and wire-free.
8. Motion Sensors

Motion sensors detect physical movement in an area. Of course, these sensors play a significant
role in the security industry, but they are used in nearly every industry. Applications include
automated sinks and toilet flushers, automatic door controls, energy management systems, and
automated parking systems. Standard motion sensors include ultrasonic, microwave, and passive
infrared (PIR).

9. Level Sensors

Level sensors detect the level of various substances, including powder, granular material, and
liquids. Industries that use them include water treatment, food and beverage manufacturing, oil
manufacturing, and waste management. They can detect the level of liquid in a container and
can even determine the amount of waste in a dumpster.
10. Image Sensors

These sensors convert optical images into signals and are generally used to display or store files
electronically. They are found in radar and sonar, biometric devices, night vision equipment,
medical imaging, digital cameras, and even some cars. Charge-coupled devices (CCD) and
complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS) are most commonly used.

11. Humidity Sensors

These sensors measure the amount of water vapour in the air. Typical uses include heating and
air conditioning systems (HVAC) and weather monitoring and prediction. When humidity must
be tightly controlled, such as in museums, hospitals, and greenhouses, humidity sensors assist
the process.
12. Accelerometer Sensors

Accelerometer sensors detect the orientation of an object and the rate of change, including
tap, shake, tilt, and positioning. They are used in many industries for smart pedometers, anti-
theft protection, and monitoring auto fleets. Some types are capacitive accelerometers and
hall-effect accelerometers.

13. Gyroscope Sensors

A gyroscope sensor measures the angular rate or velocity, or the speed of rotation around an
axis. They are generally used for navigation in the auto industry for navigation and anti-skid
systems as well as in video games and drones. Some examples include optical gyroscopes,
rotary gyroscopes, and vibrating structure gyroscopes.
14. Optical Sensors

Optical sensors measure light and convert it into electrical signals. Many industries make
use of optical sensors, including auto, energy, healthcare, and aerospace. Sensors include
fibres optics, photodetector, and pyrometer.