Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) sensors are emerging on the market and are being used in automotive, medical, and industrial applications requiring extremely high sensitivity, precise timing, and 3D imaging capabilities, often in low-light conditions. Design challenges include managing dead time, suppressing noise sources like afterpulsing and dark counts, mitigating optical crosstalk, and achieving high photon […]
How does multi-sensor calibration work in autonomous vehicles?
Multi-sensor calibration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in autonomous vehicles ensures accurate data fusion by aligning various sensors (like cameras, LiDAR, and radar) into a unified coordinate system, enabling precise perception and localization. This article reviews the types and techniques of multi-sensor calibration of ADAS. ADAS sensor calibration uses a combination of intrinsic considerations […]
What tools are available for calibrating sensors?
Tools used for calibrating sensors range from basic multimeters and multi-product calibrators to application-specific tools, like pressure calibrators, calibration baths, and infrared blackbody calibrators, depending on the type of sensor and the measurement requirements. As sensors get more sophisticated and precise, so do the tools used to calibrate them. Sensors require calibration to deliver consistent […]
What are simple ways to improve sensor performance?
Although improving a sensor’s actual performance is not usually possible, with proper selection, system design, and integration, improving sensor performance at the system level is very possible. Tools available for sensor performance optimization include selection, placement, operation, and signal conditioning/processing. It begins by selecting a sensor with the appropriate range, resolution, sensitivity, accuracy, response time, […]
What’s the difference between Maxwell’s equations and Maxwell’s relations?
Maxwell’s equations are fundamental tools for electric and magnetic fields, while Maxwell’s relations focus on thermodynamic quantities like temperature, pressure, volume, and entropy. For more on Maxwell’s equations, see “What are the fundamentals of Maxwell’s equations and how do they relate to TENGs?” Maxwell’s relations give designers a powerful tool for analyzing thermodynamic systems like […]
What kinematic equations are important for industrial robots?
A kinematic model is a mathematical representation of a robot’s motion that focuses on the geometric relationships between elements and ignores external forces that affect motion. Kinematic models are used for planning and controlling the paths of industrial robots. Forward kinematics determines the current position and orientation of the end effector based on the angles […]
How are single photon sensors used in quantum computing?
Single-photon sensors, also known as single-photon detectors (SPDs), enable the precise detection and manipulation of individual photons, which can serve as quantum information carriers, or qubits, in photonic quantum computers (PQCs). PQCs are a type of measurement-based quantum computing (MBQC) that promises highly scalable systems and operates at room temperature. Instead of using quantum gates, […]
Why are cryogenic microwave power measurements important for quantum computing?
Cryogenic (cryo) microwave (µw) power measurements are vital for advancing quantum computing. Delicate quantum devices require operation at cryo temperatures to maintain coherence and stability. Accurate power measurements at cryo temperatures are also required to optimize and debug quantum hardware. This article begins by reviewing cryo zones in a quantum computer and the related µw […]
How are VCSELs used in biomedical sensors?
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are used in biomedical sensors because they emit highly focused, coherent light at specific wavelengths, enabling precise detection and analysis of biomolecules. Applications include blood oxygen level monitoring, optical coherence tomography (OCT) for imaging tissue structures, fluorescence microscopy, and analysis of live biomolecules in lab-on-a-chip systems. VCSELs offer a third option […]
What sensors are needed to fly hypersonic missiles?
Maneuverability and guidance systems, not just raw speed, are key differentiators for hypersonic missiles. That requires aerodynamic pressure sensors, optical sensors, inertial sensors, space-based tracking, infrared sensors, and more. All are combined into a single guidance system using sensor fusion. This article reviews the sensor types for hypersonic guidance, navigation, and target acquisition systems. Hypersonic […]
