Data is the new oil. Currently, we are entering a new era of innovation in modern information technology, with explosive growth in the Internet of Things (IoT) and the increasing importance of information data. In the future of IoT technology, who will be the game changers behind the IoT ecosystem that connects the digital and physical worlds? This is the pillar of IoT solutions – IoT sensors.
As the foundation of the IoT ecosystem, sensors provide devices with the ability to collect data and achieve goals. Without sensors to detect external information, the IoT could become a pile of useless technology. Due to the wide variety of IoT sensors, almost all physical properties around us can be measured. Currently, common sensors are widely used in various fields such as healthcare, logistics, industry, agriculture, transportation, tourism, disaster prevention, education, and more.
Detection (Operating) Principle: The detection principles of IoT sensors vary, i.e., the different mechanisms of chemical, biological, and physical effects. There are resistive, inductive, capacitive, piezoelectric, photonic, thermoelectric, nuclear radiation, and semiconductor sensors, among others.
Analog Sensors and Digital Sensors: Depending on the nature of the output signal, sensors can be divided into two types: analog signals and digital signals. The sensing signal generated by analog sensors is a continuous output signal proportional to the measurement result, while digital sensors produce discrete signals.
Active and Passive Sensors: The classification of active and passive sensors depends on the energy relationship between the sensing element and the measured object. Active sensors can convert input non-electrical energy into electrical energy output without the need for an external power source. Passive sensors, on the other hand, do not.
Contact and Non-contact Sensors: Contact sensors treat the sensor itself and the object being measured as one, without the need for on-site calibration of the sensor. For non-contact sensors, non-contact measurements can eliminate the influence of sensor intervention, making measurements unaffected, thus improving measurement accuracy.
Temperature and Humidity Sensors: As the name suggests, temperature and humidity sensors measure the heat and humidity generated in a certain area or object. They detect temperature and humidity changes, allowing us to perform various tasks from manufacturing to agriculture to healthcare.
Proximity Sensors: Proximity sensors are widely used in proximity marketing, sending promotional notifications to mobile phones when a person approaches the target object.
Accelerometer Sensors: These sensors are crucial for fleet management, allowing remote monitoring and control of speed. Additionally, 3-axis accelerometers can be used to monitor whether a person or object falls and trigger alerts through an integrated emergency button.
PIR Sensors: PIR sensors monitor the movement of people and objects to determine whether there are individuals in homes or other important spaces. This helps avoid significant property loss due to intrusions and assists in maximizing space management.
Location Sensors: Almost every industry has location needs. Location sensors are commonly used in warehouse management, smart attendance management, asset tracking, personnel tracking, etc.
Hall Sensors: Hall sensors are used for automatic switches, motion direction, and speed, commonly found in vehicles and various appliances for automation management.
IoT Vibration Sensors: Vibration sensors in vehicles can trigger alarms during abnormal vibrations, preventing vehicles from being abandoned or prompting administrators to take timely action.
Optical Sensors: Optical sensors can measure the physical quantities of light and convert them into electrical signals that are easily read by users or electronic instruments/devices. Optical sensors are suitable for environmental monitoring, healthcare, aerospace, energy, and more. Some major applications include ambient light detection, fiber optic communication, and digital light switches.
Water Quality Sensors: Water, like air, is crucial for life, so water quality sensors are widely used to detect water quality. Water quality sensors can measure various values such as pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, clarity, etc., to ensure that the water is pure enough for daily drinking. There are many types of water sensors, including residual chlorine sensors, turbidity sensors, pH sensors, and total organic carbon sensors.
Image Sensors: Image sensors convert optical data into electronic signals for electronic display or storage. They are deployed in digital cameras, medical imaging systems, media companies, smart vehicles, night vision devices, thermal imaging devices, sonar, radar, and security systems. Image sensors can be found whenever smart devices need to “see” their surroundings.
Pressure Sensors: The task of pressure sensors is to detect changes in the pressure of gases and liquids. If there is any deviation from the standard pressure range, notifications can be sent to monitoring administrators regarding any issues that need repair. One application is in medical devices, such as blood pressure cuffs, to ensure that a patient’s blood pressure corresponds to the displayed numbers.
Gyroscope Sensors: Gyroscope sensors can detect rotation and measure angular velocity, making them ideal for navigation systems, robotic control, consumer electronics, cellular and camera devices, and manufacturing processes involving rotation. Due to their ability to detect rotation or distortion, they can be found in sports activities to help athletes measure body movements and improve their performance after analysis.
IoT Motion Sensors: Motion sensors help detect physical movements within a given area. In addition to their primary application in security monitoring, motion sensors have expanded to automatic door controls, automatic faucets, toilet flushers, hand dryers, automatic parking systems, energy management systems, and more. As technology advances, the opportunities for motion sensors will continue to grow.
Accuracy: The accuracy of IoT sensors can ensure efficient use of devices at specific locations, especially when precise information tracking or measurement is required.
Cost: Next is the budget. The cost of sensors should be as low as possible to make the implementation of use cases feasible.
Connectivity: Due to the diversity of communication protocols in IoT networks, connectivity is a key component of the IoT ecosystem. Sensors should be compatible with more communication protocols.
Longevity: IoT devices may require long-term remote deployment and maintenance, so considering their longevity is very important. The stronger the battery, the better the performance of IoT sensors.
Security: Regarding sensors and security, attention should be paid to whether the sensor manufacturer can properly handle security issues to prevent data leaks.
A: IoT sensor data refers to the data collected by smart sensors and devices within any IoT ecosystem. These sensors and devices range from large objects like cars to small devices like thermostats. Once collected, the data can be transmitted to the network for further analysis and indication.
Q: What data do IoT sensors collect?
A: Due to the wide variety of IoT sensors, the data collected by the sensors is equally diverse. Sensors can collect a wealth of information about the surrounding environment, including temperature, humidity, light, location, activity levels, motion tracking, student attendance, and more.
Q: What are the advantages of IoT sensors?
A: The advantages of IoT sensors are numerous, including real-time collection of process and asset data; high current capacity; accurate, continuous, and reliable monitoring of processes and assets; increased productivity while reducing total costs; and reduced energy waste.
Q: How do sensors generally work?
A: Sensors respond to changes in physical conditions by altering their electrical characteristics. In simple terms, sensors convert stimuli such as heat, light, sound, and motion into electrical signals, which are then converted into binary code by electronic systems and transmitted to computers for processing.
Source: Advantage IoT, please contact us for removal if there is any infringement.
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