Sensors & Environmental Inputs

 

Sensors & Environmental Inputs: Ultrasonic, PIR, and Gas Detection

Sensors are the unsung heroes of modern technology, silently working behind the scenes to make our lives safer and more convenient. Today, let's explore three fascinating types: ultrasonic, PIR motion, and gas sensors.

Ultrasonic Sensors: The Silent Distance Detectors

What are they? 

Ultrasonic sensors measure distance using high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to human beings. They are used in cars for parking assistance, robots for obstacle detection, and industries for level monitoring.

How They Work:

  • Ultrasonic sensors measure distance using high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to human beings.
  • They are used in cars for parking assistance, robots for obstacle detection, and industries for level monitoring.

PIR Motion Sensors: Sensing Movement Without Seeing

These allows us to sense motion.

They don't radiate IR for detection. Whether someone has moved in or out of range of the sensors. These are commonly used in security alarms and automatic.

It measures the infrared signals coming from objects around it. They detect motion but can't give information on who or what moved.

Passive Infra Red Detection (Passive Infra Red Detection):

The infrared detects wavelengths of between 780 nanometers and 1000 nanometers. This is beyond the visible light spectrum.

Key Features:

  • These allow us to sense motion.
  • They don't radiate IR for detection.
  • Whether someone has moved in or out of range of the sensors.
  • These are commonly used in security alarms and automatic.
  • It measures the infrared signals coming from objects around it.
  • They detect motion but can't give information on who or what moved.
  • Passive Infra Red Detection: The infrared detects wavelengths of between 780 nanometers and 1000 nanometers. This is beyond the visible light spectrum.

Gas Sensors: Keeping Us Safe from Harmful Gases

A gas sensor is a device that detects the presence of gases, especially those that may be harmful to humans and animals.

It works by detecting the presence or concentration of a gas in the air by measuring changes in its electrical properties, typically by altering the resistance of a semiconductor material when gas molecules interact with its surface, generating an electrical signal proportional to the gas concentration; this change in resistance is then converted into a measurable output voltage that can be interpreted to indicate the gas level.

GAS SENSORS:

  • MQ-2: Detect a wide range of flammable gases and smoke.
  • MQ-7: Specifically designed to detect carbon monoxide (CO) gas only.

How They Function:

  • A gas sensor is a device that detects the presence of gases, especially those that may be harmful to humans and animals.
  • It works by detecting the presence or concentration of a gas in the air by measuring changes in its electrical properties, typically by altering the resistance of a semiconductor material when gas molecules interact with its surface, generating an electrical signal proportional to the gas concentration; this change in resistance is then converted into a measurable output voltage that can be interpreted to indicate the gas level.

Types of Gas Sensors:

  • MQ-2;detect a wide range of flammable gases and smoke
  • MQ-7; specifically designed to detect carbon monoxide (CO) gas only;

These sensors, though different in their functions, all contribute to making our environment safer and more efficient. From navigating tight parking spaces to detecting dangerous gas leaks, sensors are an essential part of our modern world.

 

References

 

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