Project Resources

Sensor and Actuator Inventory

Classifications based on

R. Pallàa-Areny and J. G. Webster, Sensors and Signal Conditioning (2nd ed), John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.
J. G. Webster, The Measurement, Instrumentation and Sensors Handbook, CRC Press, 1999.

Sensor Type	Sensor	Documentation
Resistive - sensor based on the variation of the resistance of a device	light-dependent resistors (LDRs) - photoresistors, photoconductors on left --> hermetic (CdS photoconductive cell in a flat lens package) centre and right --> regular open cell	sample data sheets Perkin Elmer, Silonex
	potentiometers	potentiometer with a linear or rotary sliding contact joystick - dual potentiometers whose wipers are moved by the X and Y motion of the stick. The joystick connections are shown on the joystick. force sensitive resistors (FSR™ from Interlink: Part No. 400 (0.2” Circle), 402 (0.5” Circle), 406 (1.5” Square), 408 (24” Strip)) - conductive polymer film sensor. The point at which the force is applied behaves as a virtual pressure sensitive wiper.
	strain gages
	thermistors (thermally sensitive resistor) on left --> Thermistor PTC 12V 1 OHM 120C on right --> Disc Type NTC Thermistors 20 Ohm	NTC Thermistors Application Notes NTC disc thermistor PTC Thermistors Application Notes PTC disc thermistor
Electromagnetic Sensors - sensor based on the variation in a magnetic or electrical field	Hall effect sensor	UGN3503 Hall Effect Sensing and Application
	compass module that combines 2-axis magneto-resistive sensors (I²C)	Compass Module - HMC6352 datasheet [Honeywell product page]
Self-Generating Sensors/Actuators - sensor yields an electric signal without requiring any supply. Effect is reversible so that the sensor can be used as an actuator to obtain nonelectric outputs from an electric signal input.	photovoltaic
	piezoelectric piezoelectric sensor - material under strain generates electric polarization piezoelectric actuator - electric voltage applied to the material induces strain	Microphone Omnidirectional 6.0X5.0MM -- EM6050P-433 [image, datasheet] Microphone Electret Condenser -44 ± 2 db -- MD9745APZ-F [image, datasheet]
	thermoelectric - thermocouples	thermocouple (sensor) - one in stock; probably Copper (+) Constantan (-) Peltier Effect Cooler (actuator) - one in stock
Digital and Intelligent - sensor whose output is digital	position encoders incremental position encoders absolute position encoders DC motor with position encoder
Other Sensing Methods	charge-coupled and CMOS image sensors
	fiber optic sensors
	infrared distance measuring sensors	GP2Y0A21YK
	photodiodes	Silicon Photodiode, Blue Enhanced Photoconductive Silicon Photodiode, Blue Enhanced Photovoltaic Choosing the Detector for your Unique Light Sensing Application Light Measurement Handbook Photodiode/Phototransistor Application Circuit
	phototransistors	Hermetic Silicon Phototransistor (note data sheet is equivalent for the MRD310) IR Dark Phototransistor NPN can be used with IR Clr Emitter - high power Design Fundamentals for Phototransistor Circuits Photodiode/Phototransistor Application Circuit
	ultrasonic sensors	DUR5200 Ultrasonic Range Sensor
	ultrasonic sensor (analog, UART, PWM)	LV-MaxSonar-EZ0 Ultrasonic Range Sensor Note serial output details
	gyro (analog)	LY530ALH gyro
	GPS (UART)	MN5010HS GPS MN5010HS Design Guidelines
	RFID (UART)	RFID reader
	light colour sensor (I²C)	ADJD-S371 light colour sensor
	pyroelectric - change in infrared energy generates electric polarization	DHM5150 Pyroelectric Infrared Sensor
Inductive Output Transducers	clock mechanism
	solenoid
	speakers
	DC motor
	servo motor What is a servo? How do servos work? our servos have been modified to work in continuous operation mode operation and calibration	Futaba S3003 specs
	stepper motor
	voltage to frequency converter	LM331