This is an era where everything is connected. Sensing technology has established a close connection between people and everything. IoT (Internet of Things), this invisible network - physical objects or "things" connected through embedded sensors, software and networks. "Form a network to quickly collect and exchange data, further making people's lives more convenient and their work more efficient.
Sensors play a vital role in IoT devices by detecting changes or movements in the environment and collecting data, allowing the device to function accordingly.
This article will introduce you to the 10 most commonly used sensors in IoT: temperature sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer sensor, gyroscope sensor, pressure sensor, liquid level sensor, light sensor, humidity sensor, gas sensor, sound sensor.
1. Temperature sensor
As the name suggests, temperature sensors measure the temperature of an object or its surroundings and can convert temperature changes into data. Temperature sensors are widely used in environmental temperature monitoring in smart homes, factories, warehouses, etc.
2. Proximity sensor
The proximity sensor is called a proximity switch. It detects the proximity of an object through electromagnetic induction. The proximity can indicate the arrival, approach or appearance, departure or disappearance of the object. Proximity sensors are widely used in the Internet of Things, such as common cases in life: smartphones use proximity sensors to detect the proximity of the user's face, and can turn off the screen when the user answers the phone to prevent accidental touching of the face.
3. Accelerometer sensor
Accelerometer sensors are used to detect the movement or acceleration of an object. It can also be used to detect gravity, and acceleration sensors can be used for smart pedometers and monitoring driving fleets. They can also be used as anti-theft protection, alerting the system when a supposedly stationary object is moved.
4. Gyro sensor
Gyro sensors measure angular rate or velocity, usually defined as measuring speed and rotation about an axis. Gyro sensors are often used in automobiles, such as car navigation and electronic stability control (anti-skid) systems. Other use cases include motion sensing for video games, and camera shake detection systems.
5. Pressure sensor
Pressure sensors are used to measure ambient pressure. Pressure sensors are the most commonly used sensors in industrial practice. They are widely used in various industrial automatic control environments, involving water conservancy and hydropower, railway transportation, intelligent buildings, production automation, aerospace, military industry, petrochemicals, oil wells, electric power, ships, and machine tools. , pipelines and many other industries. For example, in the automotive industry, it is used to monitor tire pressure and fuel pressure.
6. Liquid level sensor
Liquid level sensors, divided into contact and non-contact types, are used to detect the level of substances such as liquids, powders and granular materials. Liquid level sensors are often used in manufacturing plants such as water treatment, petroleum, and food plants.
7.Light sensor
The light sensor is used to detect the light intensity of the environment. , and convert it into a signal. For example, when a mobile phone is in use, it can detect the intensity of ambient light through an optical sensor, thereby automatically adjusting the brightness of the mobile phone screen. Light sensors also play an important role in the development of driverless car technology.
8.Humidity sensor
Humidity sensors are used to measure the moisture content of the environment, can monitor soil moisture levels, and are also used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in industrial and residential areas. Humidity sensors are used in a variety of applications, such as weather stations reporting and predicting weather.
9. Gas sensor
Gas sensors monitor and detect changes in air quality, including the presence of toxic, flammable or harmful gases. Industries using gas sensors include mining, oil and gas, chemical research and manufacturing. Household carbon dioxide detectors, which are very common in life, are also monitored by gas sensors.
10. Sound sensor
Sound sensors are used to detect the sound levels of the environment. It is widely used in smart homes to detect the presence of intruders and in industry to monitor noise levels.