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 […]
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
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 […]
Why are ISO 26262 and IEC 61508 important for sensors?
In automobiles, safety functions are increasingly implemented by electronics. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed ISO 26262 to enable the design of vehicle electronic systems that can prevent dangerous failures and control or minimize them if they occur. ISO 26262 is an automotive adaptation of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC’s) IEC 61508, an industrial […]
How can touch-free sensing protect public health?
Many communicable diseases, such as viruses and bacterial infections, are transmitted by direct contact with a person who has the disease or with something that person touched. Avoiding contact is an obvious way to prevent spreading diseases. Touch-free sensors allow many frequently accessed functions in restrooms, such as automatic hands-free urinal and toilet flush, hands-free […]
How do you get a temperature sensor from a transistor?
Temperature has a significant effect on electronic products. It impacts both the system performance and the expected life of components. With the increasingly dense circuitry in either the same or often smaller packages, the temperature issues can only increase – even with the offsetting impact of increasingly lower power consumption components. Measuring temperature can allow […]
What types of sensors are used in robots? Part 2 of 2
In addition to the sensors identified in Part 1 of this blog, there are several others required for different types of robots. Chemical, light and color sensors enable the robot to evaluate, adjust and detect problems with its environment. For humanoid robots that can walk, run or even dance (like Dobi, made by Chinese company […]
