3.

2 – Sensors

Name:
Class:
CT Teacher:
Specification reference:

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Lesson objectives:
Understand the following on each input device:
• Understand the purpose of different sensors.
• Explain how different sensors work with microprocessor and an actuator.
• Give real life scenarios of where sensors can be used.

Knowledge phase:
Sensor: An input device that takes readings of the surrounding environment /
physical properties and then translate these measurements into digital
information that a computer can use.

Analogue data constantly change and does not have a single discrete set of
values.
Analogue Data: Continuous and non-discrete data such as sound wave.
Digital Data: Discrete data that has only two values, binary data (1s and 0s)

Computers can’t read/ sense these things right away. They need ADC –
ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL CONVERTER. These devices convert physical,
real-world information into discrete digital values.

Analogue to Digital converter: Converts physical analogue values into digital

values.
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Benefits of sensors:
• Can work continuously and avoids human errors.
• Detect errors instantly
• Maintains a consistent and correct conditions.
• Some environments can be dangerous for humans to be in so a sensor can
replace humans in these environments.

Acoustic sensor:
Microphones that convert detected sounds into a digital format.
Application:
• Security system to detect sounds made by an intruder.
• Detect the sound of liquid dripping from faulty pipes in a factory.

Accelerometer sensor
Measures the acceleration and motion of an object (change in velocity)
Application:
• A car detecting sudden deceleration and deploying its airbags.
• A smartphone detecting that it is being held sideways and switching to
landscape from portrait. 3
Flow sensor:
Measure the flow rate of a liquid or gas in motion and produces an output
based on the amount passing over the sensor.
Application:
• Measure the flow of liquid or gas in pipes.
• respiratory devices checking oxygen levels.

Gas sensor:
Uses various methods to detect levels of a particular gas (Oxygens/Carbon
Dioxide)
Application:
• Monitoring levels of oxygens and carbon dioxide in a greenhouse.
• Monitoring pollution levels of a city / airport.
• Checking oxygen levels of a car exhaust.
• Monitoring a river for pollution

Humidity sensor:
Measure water vapour, in an air sample.
Application:
• Monitoring humidity level in factory.
• Checking the level of humidity in a greenhouse by measuring water
content in the air and alerting when the air is too dry.

Infrared sensor (active):

Uses an invisible beam of infrared radiation picked up by a detector. If the
beam is broken by an object, the detector senses the changes.
Application:
• A security system detecting when an intruder breaks infrared beam.
• A car automatically turning on its windscreen wipers when rain is
detected.
• Automatic doors

Infrared sensor (passive):

Measures the levels of heat radiation given off by objects or people.
Application:
• A security system detecting the body heat of an intruder.
• Firefighters searching for people in low-visibility environments.
• Monitoring the temperature inside an industrial freezer.
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Level Sensor:
Used to detect levels of a substance such as water.
Application:
• A car monitoring the level of petrol left in its tank.
• Pharmaceutical companies monitoring powder levels when making
tablets.
• detecting a drop in liquid levels caused by leaks.

Light sensor:
Uses photoelectric cells, which produce an output based on the brightness of
detected light.
Application:
• Turning headlights on automatically when it gets dark.
• Streetlights switching on and off.
• Measure brightness of greenhouse
• Turn light on when fruit has too little light.

Magnetic sensor:
Measures changes in magnetic field - the signal output from the sensor
changes depending on how the magnetic field changes.
Application:
• Managing a car's anti-lock braking system.
• Detecting magnetic field changes – Smartphones to use compass app,
metal detector.

Moisture sensor:
Measure levels of moisture such as moisture level in soil.
Application:
• Detecting wood rot.
• Monitoring moisture levels in food processing factories.
• Checking the levels of moisture in soil.
• Monitoring amount of water left in clothes in a dryer.

pH sensor:
Measures level of acidity such as soil acidity by detecting changes in voltages.
Application:
• Monitoring acidity levels of soil for agriculture.
• Checking the level of acidity in a chemical process.
• Monitoring pollution level in water. 5
Pressure sensor:
Measure the amount of applied pressure which generates different
electric currents.
Application:
• Measure the gas pressure in a nuclear reactor.
• Monitoring a vehicle's tyre pressure.
• Weighting lorries at weighting stations.
• Monitoring level of water in a washing machine.

Proximity sensor:
Detects the presence of nearby objects.
Application:
• An automatic braking system detecting how close a car is to
object.
• A smartphone switching its display on and off based on its
proximity to a face or ear.
• Parking sensor

Temperature sensor:
Measures the temperature of its surroundings or a specific object.
Application:
• Monitoring the levels of heat in a chemical process.
• Checking the temperature of a greenhouse
• A central heating system measuring the temperature of a house.

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Automated systems usually comprise three distinct components:

Sensors are used to take measurements from their environmental surroundings.

Sensors provide these measurements as inputs to microprocessors, which then process
the information and make decisions based on predefined rules.
Decisions made by microprocessor typically result in instructions to control an actuator
and make physical changes. E.G. “Activating an alarm, opening or closing door or valve.”
These components are often used to create a feedback loop where changes (outputs)
from the automated systems affect the following set of input values received from the
sensors.

Microprocessor: A type of integrated circuit that is contained on a single chip.

• Microprocessors are multipurpose so they will perform different tasks.
• Microprocessors works continuously with other devices such as sensors to perform
tasks.

• Sensors sends analogue signals to the microprocessor and the analogue signals are
converted to digital using ADC. Then the microprocessor will perform a task
depending on the signal.
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Example1: underlined sentences can be used for any scenario.

• Sensor sends signal to the processor.

• Signal is analogue and is converted to digital using ADC.
• Microprocessor compares reading to the present value of 7.
• If value is greater than 7 a signal is sent tby the microprocessor to
display a warning message.
• The process is continuous.

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Example2: underlined sentences can be used for any scenario.

• Sensor sends signal to the processor.

• Signal is analogue and is converted to digital using ADC.
• Microprocessor compares reading to a stored value. If data
in range then counter is incremented by 1.
• The process is continuous.

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