MIIE2468

Sensors and Actuator

Temperature sensor

1
Microcontroller Interfaces

2
Microcontroller Interfaces

3
Analog Inputs/outputs
Voltage-based control and monitoring

Advantages Disadvantages
• Simple interface • High cost for higher resolutions
• Low cost for low-resolutions • Not all microcontrollers have analog
• High speed inputs/outputs built-in
• Low programming overhead • Complicates the circuit design when
external ADC or DAC are needed.
• Short distance, few feet maximum.

4
Analog Inputs/outputs
Voltage type: Typical ranges
• 0 to 2.5V
• 0 to 4V
• 0 to 5V
• +/- 2.5V
• +/- 4V 4-20MA/0-10V pressure Sensor
• +/- 5V
• 0 to 10V

Current type: Typical ranges

• 0-20mA
• 4-20mA
5
4-20MA/0-10V Liquid Level Sensor 0-10V Photoelectric
Analog Inputs/outputs

6
Analog Inputs/outputs

7
10bits ADC

8
Different Types of Sensors
Magnetic Sensor (Hall Effect Sensor)
Temperature Sensor Microphone (Sound Sensor)
Proximity Sensor Tilt Sensor
Accelerometer Flow and Level Sensor
IR Sensor (Infrared Sensor) PIR Sensor
Pressure Sensor Touch Sensor
Light Sensor Strain and Weight Sensor
Ultrasonic Sensor
Smoke, Gas and Alcohol Sensor
Touch Sensor
Color Sensor
Humidity Sensor
Position Sensor

9
Different Types of Sensors

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Temperature Sensors
• RTD
• Thermistor
• Thermocouple
• Semiconductor

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Temperature Sensors
• RTD
• Thermistor
• Thermocouple
• Semiconductor

12
Thermocouples

- the most commonly used type of temperature sensor.

- They are used in industrial, automotive, and consumer applications
- Thermocouples are self-powered, require no excitation
- can operate over a wide temperature range
- quick response times.
Thermocouples are made by joining two dissimilar metal wires together. This causes a
Seebeck Effect. The Seebeck Effect is a phenomenon in which a temperature difference of
two dissimilar conductors produces a voltage difference between the two substances.
Thermocouples
Thermocouples
Thermocouples
If both temperatures of the hot and the cold junctions are above 0°C, the device
receives a lower emf than when the cold junction temperature is 0°C.

In order to measure the temperature accurately, we need to add the emf value
which corresponds to T1 to the measured emf. To add this emf is called cold
junction compensation.
 Thermocouples

An actual example may better clarify the above discussion.

Assume that we are using a Type E thermocouple to measure T2 (say process temperature), which is
550°C (1022°F).
Now the another thermocouple junction T1 say which is terminated at temperature transmitter or in
control room & T1 temperature is at room temperature which is 25°C (77°F)

According to the temperature-emf table of Type E, the thermocouple generates (with reference to °C):
Process temperature (T2) is 550°C and so as per Type E thermocouple table or measured voltage is :
41. 045 mV at 550°C
Now room temperature (T1) is 25°C and so as per Type E thermocouple table or measured voltage is :
1.495 mV at 25°C
The potential difference is 39.550 mV.
Thermocouples
The thermocouple type E temperature transmitter displays the temperature value based on
39.55 mV which is equivalent to 531.5°C. But actual process temperature is 550°C, so there is
18.5°C error exists (Error=550-531.5).

This temperature error will be compensated using cold junction compensation technique.
In Cold junction compensation, we place a temperature sensor near the temperature
transmitter terminals (if thermocouple terminated in field) or at control room terminations (if
thermocouple terminated in control room) then this temperature sensor measures the room
temperature T1 value say 1.495 mV @ 25°C.

Now this measured milli volt will be added to the already measured potential difference value
i.e. 39.55 mV, so 39.55mV + 1.495mV = 41.045 mV, so temperature transmitter shows
compensated corrected temperature reading.
 Thermocouples
Cold junction options and compensation methods

1. Cold junction in ice-bath 2. Cold junction in a known, fixed temperature

3. Measure the temperature of the cold junction 4. Automatic on-line compensation

Thermocouples
Some disadvantages of thermocouples include the fact
that measuring temperature can be challenging because
of their small output voltage, which requires precise
amplification, susceptibility to external noise over long
wires, and cold junction.

Maxim Integrated offers digital output thermocouples

like the MAX31855 and MAX31856. These devices help
with signal conditioning by incorporating a high-
resolution analog to digital converter (ADC), low noise
precision gain stage, and cold junction compensation MAX6675 K-type Thermocouple
sensor. Temperature Sensor
Temperature 0-800 Degrees
MAX31855
- temperature -200 degrees C to 1350 degrees C
- SPI interfaces, high-speed transmission
- direct digital output 14-bit resolution,
- 0.25 degree temperature accuracy
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)
As temperature changes, the resistance of any metal changes as well. This difference in
resistance is what RTD temperature sensors are based on. An RTD is a resistor with well-defined
resistance vs. temperature characteristics. Platinum is the most common and accurate material
used to make RTDs.

Platinum RTDs are also referred to as PRTDs. They are

often available with a 100 Ω and 1000 Ω resistance at
0°C. They are referred to as PT100 and PT1000
respectively
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)

Typical readings for platinum are 100 ohms at 0 Celsius and 139 ohms at 100
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)

RTD’s require a constant current source, such as 1mA. Such a low current keeps
the self heating to a minimum.
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)
To detect the small variations of resistance of the RTD, a temperature
transmitter in the form of a Wheatstone bridge is generally used. The circuit
compares the RTD value with three known and highly accurate resistors.
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)
a problem arises when the RTD is installed some distance away from the
transmitter. Since the connecting wires are long, resistance of the wires
changes as ambient temperature fluctuates. The variations in wire resistance
would introduce an error in the transmitter. To eliminate this problem, a three-
wire RTD is used.
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)
 RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)

MAX31865 RTD sensor module

PTA9B01 PT100 RS485 Module

Thermistors

Thermistors are similar to RTDs in that temperature changes

cause measurable resistance changes. Thermistors are usually
made from a polymer or ceramic material. In most cases,
thermistors are cheaper but are also less accurate than RTDs.
Most thermistors are available in two wire configurations.

The NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistor is the

most commonly used thermistor for temperature
measurement application. An NTC thermistor’s resistance
decreases as the temperature increases. Thermistors have a
non-linear temperature resistance relationship. This requires a
significant correction to interpret the data correctly.
Thermistors

NTC PTC
Thermistors
Thermistors
Semiconductor based ICs

Semiconductor based temperature sensor ICs come in two different types: local
temperature sensor and remote digital temperature sensor. Local temperature sensors are
ICs that measure their own die temperature by using the physical properties of a transistor.
Semiconductor based ICs
Semiconductor based ICs
Semiconductor based ICs
One of the most prominent applications of Infra Red thermometers
has been the fever measurement of humans. There are two main
types of IR fever thermometers: the ear thermometers and
forehead thermometers. For these medical applications, a
measurement accuracy of ±0.1 °C is needed. Often such accuracy
can only be achieved in small operating temperature ranges

MLX90614 family of digital integrated

temperature sensors
This 3 Volt device delivers the ±0.1°C measurement
accuracy in the object temperature range of 36°C – 39°C

Factory calibrated in wide temperature range: -40 to

125°C for sensor temperature and -70 to 380°C for object
temperature
NTC
NTC