A Hall-effect sensor is a transducer that converts a magnetic field directly into a usable electrical voltage. It enables engineers to perform non-contact measurement of shaft rotation, detect the proximity of a lid, or monitor the current in a high-power motor drive. From a system-level perspective, a Hall-effect sensor is a complete transducer that bridges […]
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Ultrasonic sensing part 2: dynamic fluid flow
This second part looks at measuring fluid flow rates instead of object presence. Find part one here. Sensing fluid flow Beyond basic object detection, ultrasonic transducers are used for non-invasive, non-contact measurement of liquid and gas flow rates (velocity). For these applications, the transducers operate at higher frequencies, typically above 200 kHz, to provide the […]
Automotive sensor requirements for software-defined vehicles: latency, resolution, and zonal architecture
The automotive industry’s shift toward software-defined vehicles (SDV) and electrification is forcing a fundamental rethink of development processes, component specifications, and cross-industry collaboration. During a recent technical briefing, three engineers from TE Connectivity outlined how these changes are impacting everything from 30-year-old Stage-Gate processes to sensor latency requirements and the implementation of zonal architecture across […]
Ultrasonic sensing part 1: static presence
Ultrasonic energy is widely used to sense the presence of nearby objects and even determine their distance if needed, as well as to measure fluid flow rates in industrial and scientific applications. The advantages of ultrasound are that it is relatively easy to apply, is accurate, has very minimal safety or risk factors, carries no […]
The power of sensor fusion
Industrial machines have long relied on a variety of sensors to execute their targeted mission and obtain the desired performance and reliability. Sensor fusion provides a more comprehensive approach to achieving these results and makes the appropriate decision(s) in these and other applications, as well as offering other benefits. Actually, a subcategory of data fusion, […]
How do restrooms get smarter?
In a busy airport, if you’re making the long trek from where you are to the gate you depart from, a WOW! moment can occur when a digital display informs you of an available restroom stall along the way and removes one source of frustration and anxiety. In a public restroom, sensors provide several automatic […]
What standards impact sensors?
Sensors require compliance with many industry standards and government regulations to be acceptable for different applications. One of the more stringent and well-known areas is automotive. However, industry groups in many market segments have sensor and system requirements that may be common or unique to specific applications. Industry-specific standards In automotive applications, government regulations, such […]
How is sensing improved in the newest security screening efforts?
While it may be costly, installing a security screening system can be a valuable investment for many institutions, especially in soft-target environments such as schools. Even if it never confronts or prevents an attack, like any insurance policy, the security system can provide numerous benefits to the insured. As part of the Support Anti-terrorism by […]
How does a portable appliance get even more useful?
Suppose an individual born in the U.S. lives the average life expectancy (78.4 years today). In that case, they can expect numerous iterations of technological innovations and improvements throughout their lifetime, especially for healthcare products and systems. Looking back, an item like the Holter monitor (developed in 1947 and released for commercial production in 1962) […]
What new sensing approaches measure blood pressure?
Today’s cuff technique for measuring blood pressure (BP) goes back 100 years or so. While the sensors used to measure pressure have changed considerably, the inflate, deflate, and then-measure approach is quite similar. It has even been automated for home use. However, it is not a continuous measurement. In contrast, researchers are exploring several continuous, […]
