In today’s supply chain situation, this has to be among the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). However, even under what may have been considered normal times prior to COVID-19, it still is a legitimate FAQ. Tracking shipments that are critical or essential may allow more expensive tracking solutions but if the cost is reasonable, many […]
Wireless
What sensor measurements are made using buoys?
Buoys were historically employed as simple mechanical structures to identify a safe navigation route or mark hazards such as reefs and below the surface rocks. The addition of battery and lights brought an electrical aspect to them and increased their visibility at night. These days a buoy can be part of the Internet of Things […]
How has sensing in industrial automation changed? (Part 3)
In Industry 4.0, another sensor-specific aspect that customers are asking for is packaging that can survive in different harsh factory environments. “When you’re putting them on an oil platform or in a factory or on a motor or in a steel mill or in a paper mill, in those really harsh environments, they need to […]
How has sensing in industrial automation changed? (Part 2)
Sensing has changed a lot since the early days of industrial automation. “Back 250 years ago, your sensors were actually people. They were your manufacturing engineers that would walk around and listen to the machines and hear what’s going on,” says John Tuley, from IoT Business Development -Sensor Solutions at TE Connectivity. In Industry 4.0, […]
Torque sensor houses sensing head and electronics separately
Sensor Technology has extended its new range of torque sensors with a model that has the sensing head and electronics in separate housings. This has two advantages: the sensing head can fit into very confined spaces, and the electronics can be located in a position where they are protected from physical damage, dust, dirt, moisture, […]
Barometric pressure sensor targets smartphones, tablets, drones, home appliances
TDK Corporation announces the worldwide availability of the InvenSense ICP-20100 platform, a new generation, feature-rich barometric pressure sensor, ideal for applications in smartphones, tablets, drones, and smart home appliances. With architectural innovations, ICP-20100 improves on the industry-leading accuracy, long-term drift, and temperature stability of the SmartPressure product family. The ICP-20100 device combines a barometric pressure […]
How can you sense your home’s energy consumption?
The Sense energy monitor from Sense Labs, Inc. indicates where the energy is being consumed in a home. With this information users can: Track energy use over time Identify sources of energy waste Monitor critical loads in the home Set device-level notifications Wattage is tracked through two current sensors clamped around the mains that feed […]
Can a PUF solve sensor/network vulnerabilities?
The Internet of Things (IoT) and sensors are inextricably linked. According to a recent article in Forbes, “by 2025, it is expected that there will be more than 30 billion IoT connections…and…trillions of sensors connecting and interacting on these devices.” The downside to all this connectivity is that it leaves sensors and their connected networks vulnerable to attacks. While […]
How can Wi-Fi sense without sensors?
With over 105 patents filed and pending and 45+ patents granted worldwide, Origin Wireless Inc.’s Hex Home security system uses patented Wireless AI™ technology to provide WiFi Sensing™. The Hex system consists of a home master command, remote devices and an app. Devices are located about 15 to 30 feet from each other. Installation requires […]
How can thousands of wireless sensors be deployed without requiring battery maintenance?
Wireless applications that need continuous monitoring to save energy, detect unsafe or other avoidable conditions and need to avoid creating serious maintenance issues are prime candidates for energy harvesting. Steam trap monitoring provides an excellent example of this type of batteryless sensing. Roughly 20% of the steam leaving a typical facility’s central boiler plant in space […]
