Course Code: SECE4031

Course Name: Internet of Things

Module 3: Sensors & Actuators:

Types of sensors, working principles of actuators,
Interfacing & Programming of digital, analog, protocol
based sensors and actuators
Sensors
Sensors are devices that detect and measure physical
phenomena or environmental conditions and convert them
into electrical signals that can be processed and interpreted by
electronic systems.
Or
A sensor is a device, module, machine, or subsystem that
detects events or changes in its environment and sends the
information to other electronics or a computer processor.
• The definition of the Sensor can be better understood if
we take a simplest example of a SENSOR is an LDR or a
Light Dependent Resistor.
• It is a device, whose resistance varies according to
intensity of light.
• When the light falling on an LDR is more, its resistance
becomes very less and when the light is less, well, the
resistance of the LDR becomes very high.
 Sensors of human beings
Eyes detect light energy, ears detect acoustic energy, a nose detect
certain chemicals, and skin detects pressures and temperatures.
The eyes, ears, tongue, nose, and skin receive these signals then
send messages to the brain which outputs a response.
Types of Sensors
 Here are some common types of sensors:
1. Temperature Sensor: Measures
ambient or object temperature.
Examples include thermocouples,
thermistors, and digital temperature
sensors like the DS18B20.

2. Pressure Sensor: Detects and measures

pressure changes. Examples include
piezoresistive sensors, capacitive
sensors, and pressure transducers.
 Sensors
Proximity Sensor: Detects the presence or absence of objects
without physical contact. Examples include infrared (IR)
proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and capacitive
proximity sensors.
Light Sensor: Measures light intensity or ambient light levels.
Examples include photodiodes, phototransistors, and
ambient light sensors.
Accelerometer: Measures acceleration forces in
three-dimensional space. Accelerometers are commonly used in
motion detection, orientation sensing, and gesture
recognition applications.
6. Gyroscope: Measures angular velocity or rotation rate.
Gyroscopes are used in applications that require measuring
and tracking orientation changes.
7. Magnetic Sensor: Detects the presence or changes in
magnetic fields. Examples include Hall effect sensors and
magneto-resistive sensors.
8. Humidity Sensor: Measures the level of moisture or
humidity in the surrounding environment. Capacitive
humidity sensors and resistive humidity sensors are
commonly used.
6. Gas Sensor: Detects and measures the concentration of
gases in the air. Examples include carbon monoxide (CO)
sensors, methane (CH4) sensors, and oxygen (O2)
sensors.
7. Optical Sensor: Detects and measures various optical
properties such as color, distance, or image capture.
Examples include color sensors, distance sensors (e.g.,
LiDAR), and image sensors (e.g., cameras).
 List of Sensors
MQ-02/05 Gas GPS Sensor
Sensor Ultrasonic Distance Sensor

Heartbeat
Obstacle Sensor Color Sensor
Sensor

LDR Sensor
Gyro pH Sensor
Sensor
 NEED FOR SENSORS
In industrial applications being used for process control,
monitoring purpose.
In medical being used for diagnostics.
Improved safety and security for people
Exploring space and improved environmental monitoring.

Without the use of sensors, there would be no automation!

We live in the World of Sensors.

In our day-to-day life we frequently use different types of

sensors in several applications. We can find different types of
Sensors in our homes, offices, cars etc.
 APPLICATIONS OF SENSORS
Sensors are used in many industrial and home appliances :
• Wireless Sensor Network

• Water level Indicator

• Laser Security Alarm
• Firing Alarm sensor
• Automatic braking & Speed Control Mechanism
• Smart Phone Touch Screen
• Railway Gate Control Mechanism

• Fully Automation Control System, etc.

 DRAWBACKS OF SENSORS
Some of the drawbacks occur in sensors while it is
in working condition:

• Life time becomes less due to over usages

• Easily affected by external source such as noise,

magnetic interference, etc.
Actuators
Actuators are devices that convert electrical or other forms of
energy into physical motion or action.

An actuator is a part of a device or machine that helps it to

achieve physical movements by converting energy, often
electrical, air, or hydraulic, into mechanical force.

Actuators play a crucial role in various applications, including

robotics, automation, aerospace, and more.

An actuator is a machine, or rather a part of a machine used to

convert externally available energy into motion based on the
control signals. Much like how hands and legs enable humans to
move around and perform actions, actuators let machines
perform various mechanical movements.
Working of Sensors & Actuator
Here are some common types of actuators:
1. Electric Motors: Electric motors are widely used actuators
that convert electrical energy into rotational or linear
motion.

Electric motors are commonly used for tasks requiring precise

control of speed, position, or torque.

2. Solenoids: Solenoids are electromechanical devices that

convert electrical energy into linear motion.

Solenoids are commonly used for applications such as valve

control, door locks, and robotic grippers.
3. Pneumatic Actuators: Pneumatic actuators are used to
compressed air or gas to generate motion.

Pneumatic actuators are often used in industrial automation,

robotics, and applications where high force and fast response
are required.

4. Hydraulic Actuators: Hydraulic actuators are used to

pressurized fluid, typically oil, to generate motion.

They are known for their high force capabilities and are commonly
used in heavy machinery, construction equipment, and
automotive applications.
5. Piezoelectric Actuators: Piezoelectric actuators utilize the
piezoelectric effect, which involves the deformation of certain
materials when subjected to an electric field.

They provide rapid motion control and are used in applications

such as nano positioning systems, and ultrasonic devices.

6. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs): SMAs are materials that can

change shape when heated or cooled.

They are used as actuators in applications where compactness and

precise motion control are required, such as in medical devices,
robotics, and aerospace.
Protocol based Sensors and Actuators
• I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit):
– I2C is a popular serial communication protocol that
enables communication between multiple devices
using a master-slave architecture.
– Sensors and actuators such as temperature sensors,
pressure sensors, accelerometers, and LCD displays
often use the I2C protocol.
– I2C devices have unique addresses, and the master
device initiates communication by sending
commands or reading data from the slaves.
• SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface):
– SPI is a synchronous serial communication protocol that
allows high-speed data exchange between a master and
multiple slave devices.
– It is commonly used for communication with sensors,
actuators, and peripherals that require fast data transfer
rates.
– Devices such as flash memory, digital-to-analog converters
(DACs), and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) often utilize
the SPI protocol.
• UART (Universal Asynchronous
Receiver-Transmitter):
– UART is an asynchronous serial communication
protocol that enables the exchange of data between
devices one bit at a time.
– Many sensors, such as GPS modules, Bluetooth
modules, and RFID readers, use UART for
communication.
– UART devices typically have two pins, one for
transmitting (TX) and one for receiving (RX), and they
communicate using a specific baud rate.
• Modbus:
– Modbus is a widely used protocol for communication between
industrial devices and control systems.
– It supports both serial and Ethernet communication and is
commonly used in industrial automation for sensors, actuators,
and PLCs.
– Modbus devices typically include sensors like temperature sensors,
pressure sensors, flow meters, and actuators like motor drives and
valve controllers.
• MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport):
– MQTT is a lightweight publish-subscribe messaging protocol
designed for IoT (Internet of Things) applications.
– It is commonly used for communication between sensors,
actuators, and IoT platforms or gateways.
– MQTT enables efficient and reliable transmission of sensor
data and control commands over constrained networks.
• CAN (Controller Area Network):
– CAN is a robust serial communication protocol primarily used
in automotive and industrial applications.
– It allows communication between various devices within a
network, such as sensors, actuators, and electronic control
units (ECUs).
– CAN is known for its fault-tolerant and real-time capabilities,
making it suitable for critical systems.