Modern electronics should be able to easily solve a temperature-sensing challenge, but the harsh real-world complexities make it a difficult proposition. Freight railroads are a very important part of the logistics infrastructure around the world for transporting raw materials as well as finished goods. They are a major constituent of intermodal transportation along with trucks, […]
FAQ
How is sensing used in audio acquisition and broadcasting? Part 2
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates, 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. In addition to an industrial environment with heavy assembly/processing machinery or a construction site, the workplace can include a sports venue, a tarmac, or a wide-open space when the job includes machinery that […]
How is sensing used in audio acquisition and broadcasting: Part 1
According to the proverb, “seeing is believing,” but hearing something before you can see it can be very important, too. The earliest humans heard and recognized the sounds of predators long before they could see them. If they could see them — it was probably too late to take evasive action. While sound has always […]
What are quantum sensors?
Quantum sensors measure minute changes in electric and magnetic fields as well as motion and the measurements are made at the atomic level. At this scale, information from individual atoms instead of from huge collections of atoms allows quantum sensors to make exponentially more accurate, more thorough, more efficient, and more productive measurements. Using the […]
How do brain-computer interfaces use sensors?
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) activated prosthetics, and other applications need sensors to provide feedback. Intensive work has been and continues to be done in this area. For example, researchers have reported their progress on an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based motor imagery BCI to control the movement of a prosthetic hand. The hand was instrumented with force and angle […]
How can sensors protect vulnerable areas? Pt 4
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ongoing efforts to address the unintended contamination and purposeful contamination of the nation’s water supplies. Sensing technologies are an integral part of the strategy. In 2023, the EPA proposed new limits to drinking water contamination from toxic “forever chemicals” or per fluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Used widely […]
What are the subtleties of using accelerometers as vibration sensors?
Accelerometers are deceptively simple-looking devices but are complex electromechanical systems. But there are numerous mechanical, environmental, electronic, and application-related factors to consider when using accelerometers. This FAQ reviews several of the subtleties that need to be considered when using accelerometers as vibration sensors and closes with a look at the ISO/IEC/IEEE 21451-4:2010 standard for Transducer […]
When to use sound pressure and when to use sound intensity measurements
Sound pressure, sound intensity, and sound power are three different ways to quantify sound. This FAQ begins by defining each one, looks at various types of measurement techniques that can be used to quantify them, presents a range of international testing standards for measuring sound, looks at instruments used for measuring sound pressure and intensity, […]
How can sensors protect vulnerable areas? Part 1
Clean air and water are essential for life. Protecting these valuable, essential elements, starts with sensors to detect threats from intentional or unintentional contamination. Today, available sensing technologies target different locations/areas to ensure the safe ongoing supply of fresh air and water. Using a variety of different sensing techniques, the key to broad and localized […]
When should passive or active RFID be used?
The main difference between passive and active radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags is the absence (passive) or presence (active) of an internal power source. Because of these primary differences, there are several secondary differences. Understanding these differences is the key to properly selecting the most appropriate RFID system for a specific application. Passive RFID Since they […]