Smart Sensor-EI914

Unit-1: Smart Sensor Basics

 CONTENTS
 Introduction

 Smart sensor system

 Usefulness of silicon technology in Smart Sensor

 Characteristics of sensor

 Working principle of different sensor

 Applications of Smart Sensors

 Practical approach
 INTRODUCTION
What is Sensor?

 A sensor is a device whose characteristics changes with the change of a

physical quantity.

Simulation & Hardware

 INTRODUCTION (Contd..)
 Based on the change of characteristics sensor is classified into three
different types.
 Resistive sensor
 Capacitive Sensor
 Inductive Sensor
Resistive Sensor
 Thermistor, LDR, strain gauge, Load cell, flex sensor, Gas sensors etc.

N.B: A strain gauge is a single transducer used to convert the mechanical deformation into readable electrical output.
Whereas, a load cell comprises an array of strain gauges that convert the mechanical load into readable units. So, normally
accuracy of load cell is higher than the strain gauge.
 INTRODUCTION (Contd..)
Capacitive Sensor

 Soil moisture sensor, touch sensor etc.

INTRODUCTION (Contd..)
Capacitive Sensor

Schematic Diagram
 INTRODUCTION (Contd..)
Inductive Sensor

 Proximity sensor etc.

A proximity sensor is a sensor which detects

the presence of nearby objects without any
physical contact.

This can be done using the electromagnetic

field or electromagnetic radiation beam in
which the field or return signal changes in the
event of the presence of any object in its
surrounding. This object sensed by the
proximity sensor is termed as a target.
Smart/Intelligent Sensor system
Sensor System Vs Smart/Intelligent Sensor system

Block Diagram representation

Smart/Intelligent Sensor system
Sensor System Vs Smart/Intelligent Sensor system

Block Diagram representation

Smart/Intelligent Sensor system
IoT based Smart/Intelligent Sensor system
 Smart/Intelligent Sensor system (Cont.)

Definition

 Smart Sensors are sensors with Integrated Electronics that can

perform the following functions :

a) Logic Function

b) Two way communication

c) Make Decisions
Smart/Intelligent Sensor system (Cont.)

Structure of Smart sensor system

 Smart/Intelligent Sensor system (Cont.)

How does a smart sensor system different from normal sensor system?

A sensor is a device that would create an electrical signal which is related

to the quantity that is measured by it. So this device would measure the
physical quantity and the measurement will be displayed by using an
instrument. A smart sensor or an intelligent sensor is a device that has
integrated electronics, and they are able to perform certain functions like,
logic functions, two-way communications, and are capable to make
decisions. These sensors are capable to measure the environmental data
more accurately with less noise. Smart sensors are used for monitoring and
to do the controlling mechanism in many industrial applications. Mostly a
smart sensor has three important parts they are sensing element, signal
processing part, and microprocessor. The major difference between smart
sensors and a conventional sensor is that the smart sensor is faster than the
conventional type and it is accurate too. Smart sensors are smaller in size
than a normal sensor and they also consume low power.
 Smart/Intelligent Sensor system (Cont.)

Major functions of smart sensor system-

•Information processing
•Compensation
•Communication
•Integration
•Validation
•Data fusion
 Smart/Intelligent Sensor system (Cont.)

Why we need smart sensor system?

•Self-calibration
•Communication
•Accuracy
•Computation
•Multi-sensing
•Cost-effective
•Quick response
•Low power consumption
•Remote diagnosis
 Smart/Intelligent Sensor system (Cont.)

Important components of smart sensor

•Sensing/transduction element
•Amplifier
•Analog multiplexer
•Analog to digital converter
•Digital to analog converter
•Memory
•Processor
 Smart/Intelligent Sensor system (Cont.)
Applications of smart sensor:
•Industrial applications
•Automotive
•Aerospace
•Defense
•Industrial
•Intelligent house
•Medical
•Environmental monitoring
•Flood and water level monitoring system
•Transport
•Traffic monitoring and controlling
•Precision agriculture and animal tracking
 USEFULNESS OF SILICON
TECHNOLOGY IN SMART SENSOR
 A smart sensor is made with same technology as
Integrated circuits.
 A transduction element either includes thin metal films,
Zinc Oxide and Polymeric films.
 A smart sensor utilizes the transduction properties of one
class of materials and electronic properties of silicon.
 Integrating electronics circuits on the sensor chip makes it
possible to have single chip Solution.
 Integrated sensors provide significant advantages in terms
of overall size and the ability to use small signals from the
transduction element.

Cypress Semiconductor
CY8C23533-24LQXI,
CMOS System-On-Chip
for Automotive
Characteristics of Sensor
 Characteristics of Sensor (Cont.)

Dynamic characteristics:
The set of criteria defined for the instruments, which are changes
rapidly with time is called ‘dynamic characteristics’.
The various dynamic characteristics are:
i) Speed of response

ii) Measuring lag

iii) Fidelity

iv) Dynamic error

 Working principle of different Sensors
(Cont.)

MQ Series gas sensor:

 Working principle of different Sensors
Working principle of gas sensor:

This sensor contains a sensing element, mainly aluminum-oxide based

ceramic, coated with Tin dioxide, enclosed in a stainless steel mesh.
Sensing element has six connecting legs attached to it. Two leads are
responsible for heating the sensing element, the other four are used for output
signals.

Oxygen gets adsorbed on the surface of sensing material when it is heated in

air at high temperature. Then donor electrons present in tin oxide are attracted
towards this oxygen, thus preventing the current flow.

When reducing gases are present, these oxygen atoms react with the reducing
gases thereby decreasing the surface density of the adsorbed oxygen. Now
current can flow through the sensor, which generated analog voltage values.
 Working principle of different Sensors

Light sensor:

Circuit Diagram
 Working principle of different Sensors

Working principle of Light sensor (LDR):

As its name implies, the Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is made from a piece of
exposed semiconductor material such as Cadmium Sulphide that changes its
electrical resistance from several thousand Ohms in the dark to only a few
hundred Ohms when light falls upon it by creating hole-electron pairs in the
material.

The net effect is an improvement in its conductivity with a decrease in resistance

for an increase in illumination. Also, photo resistive cells have a long response
time requiring many seconds to respond to a change in the light intensity.

Materials used as the semiconductor substrate include, lead sulphide (PbS), lead
selenide (PbSe), indium antimonide (InSb) which detect light in the infra-red range
with the most commonly used of all photoresistive light sensors being Cadmium
Sulphide (Cds)
 Working principle of different Sensors
Temperature sensor (LM35):
LM35 is an analog, linear temperature sensor whose
output voltage varies linearly with change in
temperature. LM35 is three terminal linear temperature
sensor from National semiconductors. It can measure
temperature from-55 degree celsius to +150 degree
celsius. The voltage output of the LM35 increases
10mV per degree Celsius rise in temperature. LM35 can
be operated from a 5V supply and the stand by current
is less than 60uA. The pin out of LM35 is shown in the
figure below.
Working principle:
LM35 sensor uses the basic principle of a diode ,where
as the temperature increases, the voltage across a
diode increases at a known rate. By precisely amplifying
the voltage change, it is easy to generate an analog
signal that is directly proportional to temperature.
 Working principle of different Sensors
Thermistor:
Thermistors are a type of semiconductor, meaning
they have greater resistance than conducting
materials, but lower resistance than insulating
materials. The relationship between a thermistor’s
temperature and its resistance is highly dependent
upon the materials from which it’s composed

Thermistor Type:

Positive temperature coefficient

Negative temperature coefficient
 Working principle of different Sensors
Thermocouple:

A thermocouple is a sensor that measures temperature. It consists of two

different types of metals, joined together at one end. When the junction of the
two metals is heated or cooled, a voltage is created that can be correlated
back to the temperature.
 Working principle of different Sensors
Working principle of Thermocouple
Thermoelectric effect
Seebeck effect :
The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon in which a temperature difference
between two dissimilar electrical conductors or semiconductors produces a
voltage difference between the two substances.
Peltier effect:
The Peltier effect is the phenomenon that a potential difference applied
across a thermocouple causes a temperature difference between the
junctions of the different materials in the thermocouple. This effect is the
opposite of the Seebeck effect.
Thomson Effect:
William Thomson discovered that if electric current flows along a single
conductor with temperature gradient than power is either absorbed or
rejected, depending on the relative direction of the current and heat flow.
This phenomenon is known as Thomson Effect.
 Working principle of different Sensors
Single bit digital sensor:

(a) PIR Sensor:

A passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) is an
electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR)
light radiating from objects in its field of view.
They are most often used in PIR-based motion
detectors. PIR sensors are commonly used in
security alarms and automatic lighting
applications.
 Working principle of different Sensors
Single bit digital sensor:
(b) Sound Sensor:
The sound sensor module provides an easy way to
detect sound and is generally used for detecting sound
intensity. This module can be used for security, switch,
and monitoring applications. Its accuracy can be easily
adjusted for the convenience of usage.
It uses a microphone which supplies the input to an
amplifier, peak detector and buffer. When the sensor
detects a sound, it processes an output signal voltage
which is sent to a microcontroller then performs
necessary processing.
 Working principle of different Sensors
Single bit digital sensor:

(c) Rain Sensor:

Rain Sensor Module

Circuit
Schematic
 Working principle of different Sensors
Single bit digital sensor:

(d) IR Sensor:
 Working principle of different Sensors
Single bit digital sensor:

(d) Vibration sensor:

Vibration sensors are piezoelectric accelerometers that sense
vibration. They are used for measuring fluctuating accelerations or
speeds or for normal vibration measurement.
 Working principle of different Sensors

Single bit digital sensor:

(e) Resistive soil moisture Sensor:

Moisture sensors Schematic Diagram of resistive

moisture sensor
 Working principle of different Sensors
Multiple bit digital sensor:

(a) DHT11:
Working principle of different Sensors
DHT11:
Working principle of different Sensors

Hardware
Implementation
 Working principle of different Sensors
Multiple bit digital sensor:

(b) DS18B20:
Working Principle:
The resolution of DS18B20 ranges from 9-bits to 12-bits. But the default
resolution which is used to power-up is 12-bit. This sensor gets power within a
low-power inactive condition. The temperature measurement, as well as the
conversion of A-to-D, can be done with the help of a controller. Temperature
range: -55C to 125C
 Working principle of different Sensors
Applications of DS18B20

The applications of DS18B20 include the following.

This sensor is extensively used to calculate temperature within rigid environments

which includes mines, chemical solutions, otherwise soil, etc.
This sensor is used to measure the liquid temperature.
We can use it in the thermostat controls system.
It can be used in industries as a temperature measuring device.
This sensor is used as a thermometer.
It can be used in devices like which are sensitive to thermal.
These are used in HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems.
Applications where the temperature has to be measured at multiple points.
Practical approach to understand
the use of smart sensor system

Design an smart sensor

system for industry to
detect over temperature
Block Diagram for the smart
system
Working principle of different Sensors
Ultrasonic Sensor

HCSR04
 Working principle of different Sensors
Ultrasonic Sensor

Working of Ultrasonic sensor:

It all starts, when a pulse of at least 10 µS (10 microseconds) in duration is applied

to the Trigger pin. In response to that the sensor transmits a sonic burst of eight
pulses at 40 KHz. This 8-pulse pattern makes the “ultrasonic signature” from the
device unique, allowing the receiver to differentiate the transmitted pattern from
the ambient ultrasonic noise.

The eight ultrasonic pulses travel through the air away from the transmitter.
Meanwhile the Echo pin goes HIGH to start forming the beginning of the echo-
back signal.

In case, If those pulses are not reflected back then the Echo signal will timeout
after 38 mS (38 milliseconds) and return low. Thus a 38 mS pulse indicates no
obstruction within the range of the sensor.
Working principle of different Sensors
Ultrasonic Sensor

Timing Diagram
Practical approach to understand
the use of smart sensor system

H.W

Design an intelligent system for car

parking
Block Diagram for the smart
system
Practical approach to understand
the use of smart sensor system

H.W

Design an intelligent system for

WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT
Block Diagram for the smart
system
 Working principle of different Sensors
RFID
RFID:

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) refers to a

wireless system comprised of two components:
tags and readers. The reader is a device that has
one or more antennas that emit radio waves and
receive signals back from the RFID tag. Tags,
which use radio waves to communicate their
identity and other information to nearby readers,
can be passive or active. Passive RFID tags are
powered by the reader and do not have a battery.
Active RFID tags are powered by batteries.

RFID tags can store a range of information from

one serial number to several pages of data.
Readers can be mobile so that they can be carried
by hand, or they can be mounted on a post or
overhead. Reader systems can also be built into
the architecture of a cabinet, room, or building.
 Working principle of different Sensors
Piezoelectric sensor:
A piezoelectric sensor is a device that uses the piezoelectric effect to
measure changes in pressure, acceleration, temperature, strain, or force
by converting them to an electrical charge.
 Working principle of different Sensors
Working principle of Piezoelectric sensor

Piezoelectric Effect:

Piezoelectric Effect is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge

in response to applied mechanical stress. The word Piezoelectric is derived from the
Greek piezein, which means to squeeze or press, and piezo, which is Greek for
“push”.

One of the unique characteristics of the piezoelectric effect is that it is reversible,

meaning that materials exhibiting the direct piezoelectric effect (the generation of
electricity when stress is applied) also exhibit the converse piezoelectric effect (the
generation of stress when an electric field is applied).

When piezoelectric material is placed under mechanical stress, a shifting of the

positive and negative charge centers in the material takes place, which then results
in an external electrical field. When reversed, an outer electrical field either
stretches or compresses the piezoelectric material.
 Working principle of different Sensors
Piezoelectric sensor

Applications of Piezoelectric sensor:

Gas lighter
Toy ball
Intruder alarm
Kick starter motor etc

Piezoelectric Materials:

There are many materials, both natural and man-made, that exhibit a range
of piezoelectric effects. Some naturally piezoelectric occurring materials
include Berlinite (structurally identical to quartz), quartz, Rochelle salt, topaz,
tourmaline, and bone (dry bone exhibits some piezoelectric properties due to
the apatite crystals, and the piezoelectric effect is generally thought to act as
a biological force sensor). An example of man-made piezoelectric materials
includes barium titanate and lead zirconate titanate.