Process plants typically use a multitude of sensors, each of which is normally connected to a transmitter. Older sensor technologies use analog signals to communicate with transmitters, but more modern models employ digital technology to improve accuracy, ease calibration, simplify troubleshooting, and reduce required maintenance. Endress+Hauser Memosens technology converts the measured value to a digital […]
Sensor Tips
New incremental encoder series supports extended resolution options
CUI Devices’ Motion Group announced the introduction of a new model to its AMT incremental encoder family. Based on the existing AMT10 series package, the new AMT10E series offers 13 new resolutions not possible in the standard version, including the common 1250 PPR, 2500 PPR, and 5120 PPR resolutions. This extended version of the AMT10 series achieves this by increasing the […]
An introduction to ultrasonic sensors
Ultrasonic sensors have been a popular method for distance measurement and object detection for many years. Their basic operating principle works by measuring the amount of time it takes for their emitted ultrasonic pulse of sound to bounce off an object and return, hence the name ultrasonic sensor. With the market for autonomous robots, vehicles, […]
How do materials impact a sensor’s performance? Pt 2
The right materials are essential to achieve the desired sensor electrical performance, especially in many more demanding, high performance applications. Part 1 showed the performance impact of different sensor materials on infrared (IR) optical sensors. Radio frequency (RF) sensors also provide some interesting examples of a material’s impact on sensor performance. With expanding RF applications […]
How can force sensing be integrated for Industry 4.0 upgrades?
Upgrading facilities to industry 4.0 standards is one of the most significant trends in the manufacturing industry today. To do this, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are pushing hard to renovate their facilities with connected, automated devices and machines to create greater efficiency and cost savings. Smarter devices can ease the transition. For example, force measurement […]
Hall-effect position sensors incorporate decoupling capacitors
TDK Corporation expands its Micronas 3D HAL sensor portfolio with the Hall-sensor family HAC 39xy*, which features integrated capacitors for stray-field robust position detection in automotive and industrial applications. The TO92UF package was designed explicitly for PCB-less applications, combining both a chip from the HAL 39xy* family featuring stray-field compensation capability and up to two […]
The challenge of temperature measurement and sensor calibration, Part 3
Temperature is a widely measured real-world physical variable, but achieving credible results is harder than it seems, even for a simple device such as a kitchen oven. While many temperature-related measurements require high accuracy, precision, and repeatability – let’s say, to better than 1⁰C – many others do not, yet still bring challenges. Consider the […]
The challenge of temperature measurement and sensor calibration, Part 2
Temperature is a widely measured real-world physical variable, but achieving credible results is harder than it seems, even for a simple device such as a kitchen oven. What is temperature, anyway? While we all “know” intuitively what temperature is, actually defining and calibrating its readings is a complicated discussion. A fundamentalist approach is to go […]
How do materials impact a sensor’s performance?
For harsh environments, materials provide the difference between survival and failure by addressing thermal, chemical and mechanical operating requirements. However, the right materials are also essential to achieve the desired sensor electrical performance, especially in many more demanding, high performance applications. This starts with the sensing element and extends to the packaging. As one of […]
The challenge of temperature measurement and sensor calibration, Part 1
Temperature is a widely measured real-world physical variable, but achieving credible results is harder than it seems, even for a simple device such as a kitchen oven. Calibration of a sensor and its associated electronics channel before making critical measurements or monitoring system performance is a common requirement in many situations. In some cases, it’s […]
