Example Design – Milestone 1
Technical Research
Sensor Technology
Originally Prepared by:
Prof. Shela Aboud
Modified by:
Prof. Bitar
Measurement System
Acoustic
Biological
Chemical LCD
Electrical LEDs
Input Output 7-segment
Magnetic Processing
Mechanical Sensor Transducer dot-matrix
Optical alarm
Radiant etc…
Thermal
Input Sensor Technology
• What types of sensors are needed on
your project?
• What sensor specifications do you
need to consider?
Sensor Selection
Example Design: Tap Temperature Sensor
General Specific
Environmental Conditions 5 - 7 0C (4 - 8 0C)
Input/Output Range < 1degree accuracy
Linearity waterproof
Offset durable
Operating Life inexpensive
Output Format fast
Overload Characteristics low power
Repeatability/Hysteresis
Resolution/Accuracy
Sensitivity/Selectivity
Size/Cost/Weight
Speed of Response <50C 5-70C >70C
Stability (long and short term)
Types of Temperature Sensors
Thermoresistive
RTD (resistive temperature detector)
thermistor
Thermoelectric
thermocouple
Semiconductor (IC’s)
pn diode
bipolar junction transistor
Optical
infrared detector
Acoustic
piezoelectric
Thermoresistive sensors
RTD (PTC) NTC/PTC Thermistor
advantages: advantages
• temperature range • temperature range
• simple interface circuits • sensitivity
• sensitivity • inexpensive
• long term stability
• inexpensive
disadvantages:
disadvantages • PTC less sensitive
•not rugged • nonlinear
•self-heating • self-heating
Thermoelectric Sensor
thermocouples
advantages:
• temperature range
• very rugged
• inexpensive
• fast depending on size
disadvantages:
• error is larger than RTD or IC sensor
• some types are very sensitive to moisture
Semiconductor IC Sensors
advantages:
• temperature range
• highly linear
• small
• accurate
• easy to interface
I I 0 exp(qV / 2k BT ) disadvantages:
• sensitive to shock
Optical Temperature Sensors
advantages:
• thermally stable
• waterproof
• good in hostile environments
disadvantages:
• limited temperature range
Acoustic Temperature Sensors
advantages:
• thermally stable
• waterproof
• good in hostile environments
disadvantages:
• expensive
• complicated circuitry
T
ultrasound
T dry air
331.5 (m / s)
273.15
Sensor Comparisons
Thermoresistors Semiconductor
Temperature IC
RTD Thermistor Analog/Digital
(NTC)
temperature good range good range good range
cost high cost lower cost inexpensive
accuracy most precise accurate very accurate
durability sensitive to strain and rugged sensitive to shock
shock
response time slow fast fast
power problems with self- lower power low power
heating
NTC Thermistor
Negative Temperature Coefficient
1 1
RT RT 0 exp
T T0
example
material constant
zero-power resistance at temp T
Types of NTC Thermistors
Metallized surface contact
slow response times
high power dissipations
low cost
Bead type • bare beads
fast response times no environmental protection.
high stability/reliability • glass coated beads
low power dissipation not rugged
more costly • glass probes
easy to handle, durable, stable
• glass rods
good for mounting on circuit boards
www.thermometrics.com
Selecting a NTC thermistor:
glass probe
NTC Thermistor: Response Time
Ts Ta
P
1 e t /
thermal time constant:
=18 msec
initial ambient temperature
Ta=25 0C
electric power
P= 0.020 Watts
dissipation constant t = 18 – 23 msec
=0.70 mW/0C
NTC Thermistor: Sensitivity
Temp 1 RT
Coeff
RT T
=-3.7 %/C @ 5 C
T (0C) RT/R0
4 2.078
5 2.004
6 1.930
7 1.856
8 1.787
NTC Thermistor: Sensitivity
1 1
RT RT 0 (1 X ) exp
X=1%
T T0
T (0C) RT/R0 RT/R0 min RT/R0 max
resistor tolerance
4 2.078 2.070 2.112
5 2.004 1.994 2.034
X=5%
6 1.930 1.920 1.959
7 1.856 1.851 1.888
8 1.787 1.784 1.820
RT=(RT/RT0)RT0+/- 0.02RT0
Sensor Comparisons
Thermoresistors Semiconductor
Temperature IC
RTD Thermistor (NTC) Analog
temperature good range good range good range
(-80 to 160 0C)
cost high cost lower cost inexpensive
accuracy most precise accurate very accurate
(+/- 0.02RT0)
durability sensitive to strain and rugged sensitive to shock
shock
response time slow fast fast
(18-23 msec)
power problems with self- lower power low power
heating (max 0.02 W)
Other R=1k-1M
