ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a spectrum of (digital and analog) sensing and detecting methods, as well as the technical characterization of devices encountered in automated products and processes. Among the sensor detector types covered are motion sensors (position, distance, velocity and acceleration, and flow), force sensors, pressure or torque sensors, noncontact and contact temperature sensors, proximity sensors, light sensors, and smart sensors, along with their various measuring principles, including resistive, optoelectric, Hall effect, variable reluctance, piezoresistive, capacitive, ultrasonic, thermal (thermistor NPC and PTC), and infrared radiation principles. In addition, binary detectors, such as noncontact and contact detectors (e.g., capacitive proximity, pressure and vacuum switches, radiofrequency identification–based tracking and detection, and electromechanical contact), are described. In addition, some smart sensors based on electrostatic, piezoresistive, piezoelectric, and electromagnetic sensing principles are presented. Furthermore, the data acquisition and logging, as well as computer interfaces for logic-level input/output devices, are described, including multiplexers, filters, and converters. The sizing and selection procedures of measurement and detecting devices are presented, as well as the sampling period selection.
