In many cases, sensors are useful and very important for the devices in order to fetch the data. The data can be real-time, which includes the current temperature, pressure or humidity. It can also sense the objects and calculate the distance between them. For each purpose, there are sensors available in the market. In this article, we shall discuss various sensors and their applications, which can be used in your DIY IoT projects.
Here is the list of Sensors most commonly use in the IoT devices,
- Temperature Sensor
- Pressure Sensor
- Proximity Sensor
- Accelerometer and Gyroscope Sensor
- IR Sensor
- Optical Sensor
- Gas Sensor
- Smoke Sensor
Temperature Sensor
A Temperature Sensor senses and measures the temperature and converts it into an electrical signal. They have a major role in Environment, Agriculture
Pressure Sensor
A pressure sensor senses the pressure applied ie, force per unit area, and it converts into an electrical signal. It has high importance in weather forecasting. There are various Pressure sensors available in the market for many purposes. For example, if there are any water leaks in the residential or commercial areas, a pressure sensor needs to be installed to check if there are any leaks and measures the pressure. Another eg, all the smartphones, wearables have these barometric pressure sensors integrated into them.
Proximity Sensor
A proximity sensor is a sensor able to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. A proximity sensor often emits an electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation and looks for changes in the field or return signal. A most common application of this sensor is used in cars. While you are taking the reverse, it detects the objects or obstacles and you will be alarmed. Also, it is used in retails, museums, parking in airports, malls, etc. Inductive, Capacitive, Photoelectric, and Ultrasonic are the types of the proximity sensor. The inductive sensors detect the metal target whereas, the photoelectric and capacitive sensors detect the plastic and organic targets. In smartphones, it senses the user’s face is near the phone during a phone call. Si114x and Si1102 are typical examples of Proximity sensors used in IoT.
Accelerometer and Gyroscope Sensor
The difference between Accelerometer and the gyroscope is accelerometer measures linear acceleration based on vibration whereas, the gyroscope intended to determine an angular position based on the principle of the rigidity of space. Accelerometers in mobile phones detect the orientation of the phone. The gyroscope, adds an additional dimension to the information supplied by the accelerometer by tracking rotation or twist. A 3D gyroscope has three gyroscopic sensors mounted orthogonally. Accelerometers and gyroscopes are the sensors of choice for acquiring acceleration and rotational information in drones, cell phones, automobiles, aeroplanes, and mobile IoT devices.
Infrared Sensors
An Infrared Sensor is an electronic device, which senses certain characteristics of its surroundings by emitting Infrared radiation. Has the ability to measure the heat, emitted by an object and also measures the distance. It implements in various applications. Its uses in Radiation thermometers depend on the material of the object. IR sensors also use in Flame monitors and moisture analysis. IR sensors are used in gas analyzers which use absorption characteristics of gases in the IR region. Two types of methods are used to measure the density of gas such as dispersive and nondispersive. IR imaging devices are used for thermal imagers and also for night vision.
Optical Sensors
The Optical Sensors convert light rays into an electronic signal, it measures a physical quantity of light and transforms into a form which is readable, maybe digital form. Detects the electromagnetic energy and sends the results to the units. It involves no optical fibres. It is a great boon to the cameras on mobile phones. Also, it is used in mining, chemical factories, refineries, etc. LASER and LED are the two different types of the light source. Optical sensors are integral parts of many common devices, including computers, copy machines (Xerox) and light fixtures that turn on automatically in the dark. And some of the common applications include alarm systems, synchros for photographic flashes and systems that can detect the presence of objects.
Gas Sensor
A Gas Sensor or a Gas detector is a device that detects the gas in an area, which is very helpful in safety systems. It usually detects a gas leak in an area, that results sent to a control system or a microcontroller, that finally shuts down. it can detect combustible, flammable and toxic gases.
There are several different sensors to detect hazardous gases in a residence. Carbon monoxide is very dangerous, but odourless, colourless gas, making it difficult for humans to detect. Carbon monoxide detectors purchased for around US$20–60.
Smoke Sensor
A smoke sensor detects smoke and its level of attainment. Nowadays, the manufacturers of the sensor implement it with a voice alarm through ALEXA, also notifies in our smartphones. The smoke sensor if of two types, Optical smoke sensor, and the ionization smoke sensor. The optical smoke sensor also called photoelectric smoke alarms works using the light scattering principle. The alarm contains a pulsed Infrared LED which pulses a beam of light into the sensor chamber every 10 seconds to check for smoke particles.
If you have any doubts regarding this topic, please do leave a comment. Happy learning!
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