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Prepared by: Engr. Nemilyn I.

Angeles-Fadchar

A device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. A device which receives and responds to a signal. A device that takes an input quantity and converts it to an output quantity.

The opposite device of the sensor, which converts a signal, usually electrical to some action usually mechanical. A device that converts an input to an output usually of movement or motion. Examples are motors and cylinders

A device that converts energy from one form into another. Therefore, a sensor and a transducer is considered as a transducer. Industrial automation and robotics, sensors and actuators works in tandem to perform an intended function or purpose.

Active vs. Passive Sensors Contact vs. Non-contact Sensors Internal vs. External Sensors

An active sensor or self-generating sensor is one that can generate a signal without the need for any external power supply. It transmit some kind of energy into the environment in order to detect the changes that occur on the transmitted energy, that means it transmit and detect at the same time. Examples are photovoltaic cells, thermocouples, piezoelectric devices

A passive sensor needs an external source of energy. These sensors dont transmit energy but only detects energy transmitted from an energy source. Example is motion sensor

Contact sensors that respond to physical contacts such as touch, slip, force and torque. A simple sensor might be a limit switch placed on a conveyor line. When the part is presented in front of the robot, the limit switch is contacted and the robot performs/executes its program.

Limit switch is a normally open, SPST (Single Pole, Single Throw) switch. This switch has large current ratings and voltage ratings for industrial applications. Non-contact sensor rely on the response of a detector to variations in optical , acoustic or electromagnetic radiation. It means temperature changes, electromagnetic and pressure changes. Example are vision sensors that uses a camera.

Internal sensor deals with the detection of variables such as the position and rate of movement (velocity) of a robots arm or joints which are used for control. External sensor deals with the detection of variables such as proximity, range, and touch. External sensors are used for robots guidance as well as for object identification and handling. Examples are proximity and vision sensors.

Input range Output range Accuracy Repeatability Resolution Responsivity Detectivity Precision

Input range is the maximum measureable range that the sensor can accurately measure. For example, a compression load cell may have an input range of 0 - 5000 pounds. The load cell cannot accurately measure "negative", or tensile loads, or compressive loads greater than 5000 pounds. Generally, quantities outside of the input range can be measured, but characteristics such as accuracy and repeatability may be compromised when the input is outside of the specified range.

Output range generally refers to electronic sensors, and is the range of electrical output signal that the sensor returns. However, the output range could be a physical displacement, such as in a spring scale, or rotation, such as in a clock-style analog thermometer. The output range is related to the input range by the conversion algorithm specific to the sensor type, and the algorithm may include factors based on the calibration of the specific sensor.

Accuracy actually refers to the amount of error, or inaccuracy, that may be present in a sensor. Accuracy can be stated as a unit of measurement, such as +/- 5 pounds, or as a percentage, such as 95%. In most cases, increased accuracy results in an increased cost for a sensor. Accuracy is the capacity of a measuring instrument to give RESULTS close to the TRUE VALUE of the measured quantity

Accuracy is related to the bias of a set of measurements Accuracy is measured by the absolute and relative errors

Repeatability, as the name implies, refers to how often a sensor under the same input conditions will return the same value. If a sensor is designed to be used over and over again, it is important that the output value is accurate over every measurement cycle for the life of the sensor. Repeatability is determined by calibration testing of the sensor using known inputs.

Resolution is the smallest unit of measurement that the sensor can accurately measure. Some transducers return output signals in discrete steps, and therefore the resolution is easily defined. Resolution can be stated as a unit of measurement or as a percentage. For electronic sensors, resolution is also dictated by the resolution of the signal conditioning hardware or software.

Responsivity is output signal/input signal which can be a measure of the transducing efficiency if two signals are in comparable units (both in watts, for example), but whcich is normally expressed with very different units for the two signals.

The detectivity is defined as S/N of output signal /size of the output signal, where S/N has its usual electrical meaning of signal to noise ratio. This latter definition can be reworked as responsivity/output noise signal for ease of measuring.

The capacity of a measuring instrument to give the same reading when repetitively measuring the same quantity under the same prescribed conditions Precision implies agreement between successive readings, NOT closeness to the true value Precision is related to the variance of a set of measurements Precision is a necessary but not sufficient condition for accuracy

The process of comparing an unknown quantity with a standard of the same quantity (measuring length) or standards of two or more related quantities (measuring velocity). Since comparison cannot be perfect measurements inherently include error.

A systematic error impacts accuracy of the measurement. Accuracy means how close is the measurement with respect to true value. A true value of a quantity is a measurement, when errors on all accounts are minimized. We should distinguish accuracy of measurement with precision of measurement, which is related to the ability of an instrument to measure values with greater details (divisions).

In the nutshell, True value of a quantity is an unknown. We can not know the true value of a quantity, even if we have measured it by chance as we do not know the exact value of error in measurement. We can only approximate true value with greater accuracy and precision. An accepted true measurement of a quantity is a measurement, when errors on all accounts are minimized. Accuracy means how close is the measurement with respect to true measurement. It is associated with systematic error. Precision of measurement is related to the ability of an instrument to measure values in greater details. It is associated with random error.

The act of checking or adjusting (by comparison with a standard) the accuracy of measuring instrument. The set of operations which establish, under specified conditions, the relationship between values indicated by a measuring instrument and the corresponding known value of measurand. The result of calibration permits the estimation of the uncertainty of indication of the measuring instrument.

To provide accurate measurements traceable to national and international standards. An important part of quality assurance in industry. Ensure effective testing.

The property of the result of measurement or the value of a standard whereby it can be related to stated references , usually national or international standards, through unbroken chain of comparisons all having stated uncertainties.

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