AdvancedTopic 81 of 104Electronics & Embedded
Sensors
Convert physical quantities to electrical signals; temperature, pressure, accelerometers and more.
In depth
Sensors transduce physical quantities: thermistors and RTDs (temperature), strain gauges, MEMS accelerometers and gyros, pressure sensors, encoders, ultrasonic, lidar, light and gas sensors. Specs: range, sensitivity, accuracy, resolution, response time and drift.
Key points
- Digital vs analogue outputs
- Calibration
- Noise and cross-sensitivity
ExampleAn IMU combines accelerometer and gyroscope for orientation.
What is Sensors?
Convert physical quantities to electrical signals; temperature, pressure, accelerometers and more.
Why is it important to understand sensors?
Sensors turn physical quantities into signals, so their choice decides accuracy, speed and what the whole system can know about its environment.
What is the difference between accuracy and resolution in a sensor?
Accuracy is how close the reading is to the true value, while resolution is the smallest change the sensor can detect.
Why do sensors drift?
Temperature, ageing and mechanical stress can change their output over time, so calibration and compensation are needed.
How is Sensors used in practice?
Typical applications include choosing a thermistor for a temperature control loop, using an accelerometer to detect motion in a wearable device and selecting a pressure sensor for a hydraulic system.
What should I learn before Sensors?
Study "Priority inversion" first (topic 80 of 104 in Electronics & Embedded). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Sensors?
Digital vs analogue outputs. Calibration. Noise and cross-sensitivity.
Can you give an example of Sensors?
An IMU combines accelerometer and gyroscope for orientation.
What comes after Sensors?
The next topic is "Signal conditioning", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Sensors?
It is classed as Advanced in Electronics & Embedded (topic 81 of 104). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Electronics & Embedded.