Section 2 - Sensors

Definition:
1.

A sensor is a device which detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it.
And detects real world reactions: noise speed a sensor measures the amount of something

KEY POINT: Sensors are used to provide input in measurement applications.

Task 1
Each of the pictures below shows a different type of sensor. Work out what type of sensor each one is and what system its part of.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

A proximity Sensor, being used in an automatic door System

A movement Sensor, being used in a security System
A light Sensor, being used in a used in a light switch System
An air con controller Sensor, being used in an air con System
A optical Sensor, being used in a finger print recognition System

Task 2

Analogue data changes the data into smooth data in smooth increments it doesnt jump from 1 value to another.

Digital data is only understood by 1001101010010

There for an ADC is needed because a so it converts analogue into digital and the two are incompatible there for
conversion is necessary

Task 3

A heating system uses a sensor to decide when the radiators should be turned on and off.
The controls are set to maintain a room temperature of 22 Degrees C
When the system turns on, the water must flow round and be constantly warmed.
Sensors

Output Devices

Pressure

Light

Motor

Heater

Moisture

Infra-Red

Pump

Buzzer

Temperature

Light

1. What Sensor(s) would be needed in this system? Explain their use

Temperature- to know when the water is cold or warm
Pressure- to determine what the required speed is

2. What output devices would be needed in this system? Explain their use
Motor- to make the water flow
Pump- to pump the water
Heater- to make the temperature

3. Fill in the PROCESSES (rules) below that this system would need to follow

Example: If the speed is greater than 70 then turn the motor OFF.

Rule 1: If the speed is lower than

Rule 2: If the temperature

than 22 then turn the motor on

is greater

than turn the heater off

Sensors Exam questions

1.heat sensor 2. Moisture sensor 3. Temperature sensor

They are unable to directly read from a sensor because they have numbers that are 1 and 0instead of accurate
numbers like 86.42

ADC- analogue to digital converter

1. A computer can be more accurate 2. They can keep up with the changes.
To answer this question, you will need to think about the rules you created in the final lesson task

There is an input process and output. The input is a sensor either motion, heat,
sound and pressure the process is IF..THEN and the output is a light or buzzer.