Source: OFweek
Sensors have existed for about 150 years since their inception in the 1860s. With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT) industry, there are more and higher requirements for sensor technology. A McKinsey report points out that by 2025, the economic benefits brought by the IoT will be between $2.7 trillion and $6.2 trillion. As an important entry point for data collection in the IoT sensing layer, sensors are bound to experience explosive growth in the coming years.
First, let’s understand the basic concept of sensors. A sensor is a detection device composed of a sensitive element and a conversion element, capable of sensing the measured object and converting the detected information into electrical signals (such as voltage, current, frequency, or phase) according to certain rules for output. This ultimately provides data sources for data analysis and artificial intelligence in IoT applications.
The IoT wave is coming. What are the research directions of sensor technology?
1. Wireless Sensors (UGS)
Wireless sensors
Whether in smart traffic, smart cities, smart agriculture, industrial IoT, or disaster prevention in the wild, humans must ensure that the data obtained from the sensing layer is comprehensive and accurate to achieve full perception of the physical world. This means that IoT systems need to deploy a large number of sensors based on the application field and specific requirements. In some cases, aerial seeding may be used for large-scale deployment. Therefore, sensors and IoT systems cannot use physical connections and must use wireless channels for data transmission and communication.
Smart Sensors
2. Smart Sensors
Smart sensors integrate sensors with microprocessors using embedded technology, making them intelligent data terminal devices with environmental awareness, data processing, intelligent control, and data communication capabilities. They have self-learning, self-diagnosis, and self-compensation capabilities, composite perception capabilities, and flexible communication capabilities. This allows the data fed back to the IoT system by the sensors to be more accurate and comprehensive, achieving precise perception.
In microelectronics, the smaller the feature size of integrated circuits, the higher the integration level, the faster the operating speed, and the better the performance. A smaller sensor size in IoT systems also means more convenience and better performance during deployment.
MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) utilize traditional semiconductor processes and materials to integrate micro-sensors, micro-actuators, micro-mechanical structures, as well as signal processing and control circuits, up to interfaces, communication, and power into a single micro-device or system. This small size, low cost, integrated, and intelligent sensing system is an important development direction for future sensors and is also the core of the IoT. Therefore, the MEMS sensor field has become a top priority for related companies.
3. Wireless Ad Hoc Networks
Wireless ad hoc networks
Many readers may find the concept of wireless ad hoc networks a bit unfamiliar, but its importance cannot be ignored. Compared to traditional networks, wireless ad hoc networks adopt a peer-to-peer mobile communication mode that does not require a base station. All connected devices in the network can dynamically form a network during movement.
What are the advantages of this networking method?
First, one advantage is the lack of a central control node, meaning there are no routers for packet routing and forwarding in this network. Furthermore, during operation, if one node leaves the network, the network topology will dynamically change, forming a new topology. This networking technology is highly regarded in military and vehicle networking fields.
Ultimately, the three major research directions of sensor technology will converge, driving the birth of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN).
What are the important sensor suppliers at home and abroad?
Famous foreign sensor companies include:
Bosch, STMicroelectronics, Honeywell, Freescale, Texas Instruments, ADI, NXP, Philips, Infineon, Hitachi, etc.
Famous Chinese sensor companies include:
Hanwei Electronics, Dali Technology, Huagong Technology, Yuanwanggu, Nari Technology, GD Infrared, Goertek, AVIC Electric Measurement, Dunan Environment, Silan Microelectronics, etc.
Currently, the global sensor market is mainly dominated by several leading companies from the United States, Japan, and Germany. There are about 22,000 types of sensors globally, and China has about 7,000 types and varieties of conventional sensors, while over 90% of high-end sensors still rely heavily on imports, with a serious lack of digital, intelligent, and miniaturized sensors.
China’s three major sensor production bases
Currently, there are three major sensor production bases in China: the Anhui base, which mainly aims to establish economies of scale for force and light sensitivity; the Shaanxi Sensitive Technology Industry Group, which mainly aims to establish economies of scale for voltage sensitivity, thermal sensitivity, and automotive electronics; and the Heilongjiang base, which mainly aims to establish economies of scale for gas and humidity sensitivity.
Due to the enormous prospects of sensors, sensor companies in China are also increasing. In terms of related technologies, Chinese companies have basically developed the R&D capabilities for medium and low-end sensors and are gradually expanding into the high-end field.
The gap between China and the US, Japan, and Germany in the field of sensors provides space for our growth and indicates direction. In the era of the Internet of Things, the huge demand for sensors in the market, along with the participation of many local companies, is expected to achieve remarkable achievements in the Chinese sensor industry.
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