Measuring the position of a rotating shaft, speed or direction of motion typically requires a rotary encoder. The two main types of encoding techniques are: absolute and incremental encoders. The absolute encoding technique provides a specific and unique position value for every point of rotation when it is switched on. Absolute encoding is commonly achieved […]
How do you want to monitor glucose?
Many people with diabetes need to monitor their blood glucose levels. For type 1 diabetes patients, regular monitoring and insulin injections are mandatory. For type 2 patients, glucose monitoring can indicate if lifestyle changes are improving their level. According to data from 2019, approximately 9.3% of the global adult population were living with diabetes in […]
What are accuracy, error and repeatability in sensors?
Accuracy and precision are commonly confused terms. In fact, ISO 5725 (1994) uses two terms “trueness” and “precision” to describe the accuracy of a measurement method. Precision identifies the grouping or closeness of the readings. In contrast, trueness indicates the closeness of the test results to a reference or true value. This is more commonly […]
How do you want to monitor your health measurements?
Providing options was one of the driving forces behind some of the products introduced at the virtual CES 2021. For example, Nexvoo Healthcare announced an ergonomic breathable office desk chair that featured a built-in 3D armrest with a health monitor. By pressing a single button in the armrest, it displays heart rate, blood oxygen level, […]
What is the difference between piezoelectric and piezoresistive pressure sensing?
Piezoelectric is the property of a material to generate a voltage when mechanical force is applied to it. In contrast, the piezoresistive effect is the property of a material’s resistivity to change when subjected to a mechanical force. In either case, the mechanical force or stress can be compression, tension or a bending force. Ceramic […]
Does the Eye of Horus represent a smart sensor or smart sensing?
There are five human senses. However, the Eye of Horus used by Egyptians for thousands of years to provide protection, health and rejuvenation, depicts six senses: the usual smell, sight, taste, hearing and touch — as well as thought. Since thought is a process, could it indicate the addition of “smart” or a sensor processing […]
What are the results of the 2019 MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card survey? Pt 2
Roger Grace Associates MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card (Report Card) Study for 2019 showed its overall grade remaining at B-, which has been so since 2014. This consistency demonstrates the maturity of the MEMS industry. The standard deviation from 1998 to 2019 was 0.55. Conducted annually since its inception in 1998 by Roger Grace of […]
What will CES 2021 be like?
The CES 2021 Virtual Press Briefing on Dec. 15 provided details of how CES 2021, the first all-digital event, will be held to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With CES ability to attract leading technology companies from around the world that plan new product introductions for the event and the number of sensors and […]
What sensors are in a modern washing machine? Pt 2
In today’s washing machines, especially high-end units, several sensors provide real-time monitoring and feedback to shorten or improve certain functions. In addition to the latest touch screen inputs discussed in Pt 1 of this blog, other sensors include: Temperature Rotor position sensor Water level Dirt sensor Photoelectric sensor Pressure sensor Vibration sensor To select the […]
What sensors are in a modern washing machine? Pt 1.
The number and different types of sensors in cars and smartphones are cited frequently and certainly are impressive. However, sensor usage in many other areas is increasing as well. Appliances, which are not replaced as frequently as vehicles and smartphones, could surprise many people with the different sensing functions and types of sensors used in […]