ABSTRACT
Proper selection and integration of sensors and transducers are crucial in instrumenting a mechatronic system. Sensors may be used in a mechatronic system for a variety of purposes. In particular, output signals are measured for feedback control; input signals are measured for feedforward control; output signals are measured in system monitoring, tuning and supervisory control; and input-output signal pairs are measured for experimental modeling and evaluation of a plant. Ideal characteristics of sensors and transducers are indicated in Chapter 5. Even though real sensors and transducers can behave quite differently in practice, when developing a mechatronic system we should use the ideal behavior as a reference for the design specifications. In this chapter the significance of sensors and transducers in a mechatronic system is indicated; important criteria in selecting sensors and transducer for mechatronic applications are presented; and several representative sensors and transducers and their operating principles, characteristics, and applications are described.
