Module 2
Things in IoT
Sensors
• Sensors are used for sensing things and devices etc.
• Derived from word “to Perceive”
• Definition:
It is a device that detects changes and events in a physical
stimulus and provides a corresponding output signal that can be
measured and/or recorded.
• Example:
Mercury Thermometer, here the quantity that is being measured
is heat or temperature.
• Sensor X Actuator
• Sensor converts physical event into electrical signals.
• Actuator converts electrical signals into physical event .
• Sensors used at i/p
• Actuators used at o/p
Transducer
• A transducer converts a signal from one physical structure to another.
• It converts one type of energy into another type.
• It might be used for both sensors and actuator.
Criteria to choose Sensor
• Type of Sensing
• Operating Principle
• Power Consumption
• Accuracy
• Environmental Conditions
• Cost
• Resolution and Range
• Calibration and Repeatability
Sensor or Transducer characteristics
It is about how the output of a sensor changes in response to an input change after
steady state condition.
• Accuracy: Degree of exactness between actual measurement and true value.
• Range: Gives the highest and the lowest value of the physical quantity within
which the sensor can actually sense. Beyond these values, there is no sense or no
kind of response.
e.g. RTD(Resistance Temp. Detector) for measurement of temperature has a
range of -200`c to 800`c.
• Sensitivity: Relationship between i/p physical signal and o/p electrical signal.
• Linearity: The deviation of the sensor value curve from a particularly straight line.
Linearity is determined by the calibration curve.
• Repeatability: Ability of sensor to produce same o/p for different application with
same i/p value.
• Response Time: It is the speed of change in o/p on a stepwise change in i/p
Types of sensors –
• Electrical sensor
• Light sensor also known as photo sensors
• Touch sensor Detection of something like a touch of finger or a stylus.
Two types:
• Resistive type
• Capacitive type
• Today almost all modern touch sensors are of capacitive types.
• Because they are more accurate and have better signal to noise ratio.
• Mechanical sensor
• Pneumatic sensor operate by breaking or disturbing an air flow.
• Optical sensor operate by breaking a light beam which falls onto a light sensitive device such as a
photocell.
• Speed Sensor used for detecting the speed of any object or vehicle which is in motion
• Temperature Sensor monitors and tracks the temperature and gives temperature’s measurement as an
electrical signal
• PIR Sensor PIR stands for passive infrared sensor and it is an electronic sensor that is used for the
tracking and measurement of infrared (IR) light
• Ultrasonic Sensor It is similar to the working principle of SONAR or RADAR in which the interpretation of
echoes from radio or sound waves to evaluate the attributes of a target by generating the high frequency
sound waves .
• All sensors classifies into 2 types based on power signal or signal
requirements:
1. Active Sensor
2. Passive Sensor
Active Sensor
• Requires power signal from external source.
• It’s called Excitation signal.
• Using this signal sensor produces o/p.
• E.g Strain Gauge
Passive Sensor
• It directly produce the o/p electrical signal in response to the i/p
stimulus.
• Power required by passive sensor is obtained from measurand.
• E.g. Thermocouple
Actuators
• Actuators are natural complements to sensors.
• sensors are designed to sense and measure practically any
measurable variable in the physical world. They convert their
measurements into electric signals
• Actuators, receive electric signal that triggers a physical effect, usually
some type of motion, force, and so on.
Comparison of Sensor and Actuator
Functionality with Humans
Classification
■ Type of motion: Actuators can be classified based on the type of motion
they
produce (for example, linear, rotary, one/two/three-axes).
■ Power: Actuators can be classified based on their power output (for
example, high power, low power, micro power)
■ Binary or continuous: Actuators can be classified based on the number of
stable-state outputs.
■ Area of application: Actuators can be classified based on the specific
industry or vertical where they are used.
■ Type of energy: Actuators can be classified based on their energy type.
Types
Smart Objects
• It is an object that enhances the interaction with other smart objects
also with the people.
• IoT is the network of interconnected heterogeneous objects such as
smart devices, smart objects, sensor, actuators etc.
• These are building blocks of IoT
• real power of smart objects in IoT comes from being networked together
rather than being isolated as standalone objects.
• We have lot of objects with internet or wireless or wired connection:
1. Smartphone
2. Tablets
3. TV
4. Computer
Features:
1. Processing Unit :
Small computer- Receives i/p from sensor --produces o/p for atuctor
2. Sensor and / or Actuators
3. Communication Device:
---Responsible for connecting smart object with other smart object.
---Mostly Wireless communication
4. Power Source : Battery powered or solar power…not preferred to power them
externally as IOT devices scattered in the field.
Trends in Smart Objects
• Size is decreasing: Some smart objects are so small they are not even
visible to the naked eye. This reduced size makes smart objects easier
to embed in everyday objects.
• Power consumption is decreasing: The different hardware
components of a smart object continually consume less power.
• Processing power is increasing:Processors are continually getting
more powerful and smaller.
• Communication capabilities are improving
• Communication is being increasingly standardized
