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ABSTRACT
The first element in the chain of measurements, the sensor is meant to emit an electrical signal proportional to the physical quantity to be measured. Where mechanical variables require a prior transformation in order to become an electrical quantity the sensor includes a primary element and a sensing element. This article presents the definitions and the terminology of metrology as well as the terms related to the functioning conditions of a sensor. It then details the detection principles used to design sensors: variation in resistance, capacity, frequency, luminous flux, etc.
Read this article from a comprehensive knowledge base, updated and supplemented with articles reviewed by scientific committees.
Read the articleAUTHORS
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Yves PARMANTIER: Research engineer, Coordinator of the Sensors - Automation cluster, University of Orléans
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Frédéric KRATZ: University Professor - Institut Prisme, ENSIB (École nationale supérieure d'Ingénieurs de Bourges) - Team leader – MCDS project (system modeling, control and diagnostics)
INTRODUCTION
The sensor or transducer is the first link in the measurement chain. It supplies an electrical signal proportional to the physical quantity to be measured.
In this first part, we'll look at the definitions and vocabulary of metrology, as well as the detection principles used to build sensors.
This article is a new edition of the article "Sensors" written by Jacques Toux, from which some extracts have been taken.
The second part will provide details of the sensors.
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Sensors
Definitions
