ABSTRACT
The transducer is the part of the data acquisition system which provides perception to the system. This chapter introduces different sensors available and explores ways of interfacing them to data acquisition systems. In order to be in touch with reality, actual data sheets of manufacturers will be used whenever possible to review the parameters and specifications of sensors. Usually a manufacturer provides the data about the sensor in two categories: static specifications and dynamic specifications. The chapter reviews a few categories of transducers which are used most frequently for data acquisition applications. These categories include temperature sensors, force transducers, level transducers, motion transducers, fluid transducers, position transducers, and humidity sensors. The main categories of temperature sensors that are available include thermocouple, resistive temperature detector, thermistor, and integrated circuit temperature detector. Capacitive sensors are very similar to inductive proximity sensors in shape and function. The chapter presents case studies involving sensor applications.
