Overview
FrançaisRead this article from a comprehensive knowledge base, updated and supplemented with articles reviewed by scientific committees.
Read the articleAUTHORS
-
Alfred PERMUY: Former student at the École normale supérieure - Doctor of Physics - Technical Director SAFT Power Systems
-
Eric DONZIER: ESIEE engineer - Research Director, Schlumberger
-
Fadhel REZGUI: Doctor of Physics - Head of Sensor Technology Schlumberger
INTRODUCTION
In all natural or artificial organs, the cause-effect relationship can take the form of a succession of sensing, processing and acting organs. For the sensor, which transforms "external" information into a quantity compatible with the processing organ, we use the definition given below.
We'll call a sensor a minimal subset of any object that transforms information represented by a physical quantity of a certain dimension (L x , M y , T u , I v ) into a physical quantity of a different dimension (L x , M y' , T u' , I v' ), or no dimension at all.
For example, as defined above :
• The sensors are :
a spring-loaded dynamometer transforming a force (MLT -2 ) into a displacement (L),
a motor transforming a current (I) into mechanical torque (ML 2 T -2 );
• Not sensors:
a lever transforming an angle into an angle ;
an electrical transformer.
Clearly, the functionality of a sensor will be defined at least by the dimensions of the input and output quantities, and by the relationship between these quantities.
Note: often, only the input variable is given (e.g. temperature, acceleration or pressure sensor), because the output variable is considered to be defined by the context of use. Given the preponderance of electronic processing, this is usually an electrical quantity.
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
This article is included in
Electronics
This offer includes:
Knowledge Base
Updated and enriched with articles validated by our scientific committees
Services
A set of exclusive tools to complement the resources
Practical Path
Operational and didactic, to guarantee the acquisition of transversal skills
Doc & Quiz
Interactive articles with quizzes, for constructive reading
Semiconductor sensors
References
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference