Sensors convert a physical quantity (e.g. temperature, pressure) into an electrical signal.
Sensors convert a physical quantity (e.g. temperature, pressure) into an electrical signal. Sensors can be analog or digital. Quantities that sensors can detect and measure include
• current
• voltage
• temperature
• humidity
• pressure (fluids)
• force
• strain
• acidity (pH)
• gas concentration (CO, ...)
• smoke
• light
• color
• ionizing radiation
• inclination
• rotation
• vibration
• speed
• magnetic field
• sound
• proximity
• image
Many sensors convert these quantities to a DC voltage or a digital value with a built-in ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter). Others may convert them to resistance (temperature, light, force sensors), current (light sensors like photodiode and phototransistor) or frequency (light sensors).
