Archeological searching is being conducted from above at altitudes well below those of satellite orbits. One group of researchers has used an airborne laser scanner (ALS) mounted to a helicopter’s skid pad to reveal several cities between 900 and 1,400 years old beneath the tropical forest floor in Cambodia. The first LiDAR (light detection and […]
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
What do the latest imaging systems in airborne objects reveal? Part 1
Advances in the vision systems in orbiting satellites are revealing ancient pyramids in the desert sands of Egypt, the ruins of hidden temples and cities in the jungles of South America, Cambodia and other areas and even man-made structures under water in oceans and lakes. Satellites with imaging systems that can see through clouds and […]
What is the MIPI I3C sensor interface?
The MIPI Alliance, an international organization that develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries, initially released its MIPI I3C specification to its member community in January 2017. In December 2017, the Alliance announced open access to the sensor interface specification. Developed for connecting sensors to an application processor, the MIPI I3C bus interface is a core […]
What is a sphygmomanometer?
While sphygmo could be a problem, the manometer part should easily indicate that this has something to do with pressure. Sphygmo is based on a Greek word for pulse. Dating back to 1881, this blood pressure measuring instrument initially used a mercury column or manometer to indicate a person’s pulse in millimeters of mercury. However, […]
What functions do sensors provide to drones?
Depending on the type of drone and its function, there can be a few essential sensors or an extensive number of sensors on board. Whether the drones are civilian or military craft, the sensors fall roughly into three categories: Make Them Fly, Make Them Work and Diagnose & Prevent Problems. Make Them Fly An inertial […]
What new materials will create new sensors?
Materials with unusual properties are a starting point for creating new sensors. A company involved in products with complex material properties and electronics possibly has an edge over its rivals when it comes to discovering or creating new sensing technologies. For example, Continental, a tire maker and automotive electronics supplier recently used electrically conductive rubber […]
What new sensor applications are hiding in plain sight?
With all the new sensors available today that either (1) did not exist, (2) had less capabilities and/or (3) were more expensive just a few years ago, innovative engineers should be exploring new ways to use them. One way to do this is sensor specific: with sensor X available at an affordable price, what can […]
How can a transducer help you sleep better?
People who have trouble sleeping look for solutions in many areas. With its stereo electroacoustic transducers, Soft-Tones personal pillow-top speakers by RESPeRATE Inc., part of 2breathe Technologies Ltd., can provide one option. Two key aspects are sound quality and comfort. Sound Quality & Functionality Perfect for those who want to have exclusive music/sound, audiobook and […]
What changes typically occur when established sensing products are updated?
“New and improved” are frequently used terms for consumer products. Sensor suppliers also frequently improve existing and often well-established products and the improvements can address many different product attributes. In some instances, the improvements result in the creation of a new product family based on company patent(s) or proprietary techniques used in the established product(s) […]
How can you get a ballpark price for a sensor in a new design?
Pricing is one of the top criteria for selecting one sensor supplier over another and often for specifying a specific sensor over another for a new design. Some sensor companies, such as semiconductor companies that supply microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and other semiconductor-based sensors, have a buy page on their website with low volume pricing. For […]
