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Research draft

sensor

vr.tr.sensor · PHY.OBJ

Let an agent explain sensor types and principles, help select a sensor for a measurement, explain calibration and signal handling, and support safety and privacy considerations.

Thing Registry Physical world and living systems

Research draft, second pass

A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.

written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify

Researched by: Claude

Purpose and description

Let an agent explain sensor types and principles, help select a sensor for a measurement, explain calibration and signal handling, and support safety and privacy considerations.

A device that detects a physical quantity or event, such as temperature, light, pressure, motion, proximity, gas concentration or position, and converts it into a signal that can be read by an instrument, controller or person; sensors range from simple limit switches and proximity sensors to carbon dioxide sensors and imaging arrays, and they underpin measurement, automation and safety systems.

What it is for: Detecting and measuring the physical world.

It can be explain sensor types and principles; select a sensor for a task; explain calibration and accuracy; address safety and privacy.

Distinguishing features

Detection or measurement

Signal output

Specified range and accuracy

Many principles

What it looks like

Small devices or components, often with probes, lenses or diaphragms and electrical connections.

How it is recognised

Converts a physical quantity to a signal

Has a measurand and a range

An actuator does the opposite, converting a signal to action

Related models

is a kind of - category

measuring instrument

is related to - signal conversion

transducer

is related to - feedback input

control system

is related to - connected sensing

Internet of Things

In practice

Families and kinds

temperature, pressure and flow sensors

proximity sensors and limit switches

gas sensors such as carbon dioxide sensors

optical and imaging sensors

motion and position sensors

Standards and regulation

Metrology and calibration standards

Functional safety standards for safety sensors

Privacy rules for sensors capturing personal data

Failure modes and hazards

Drift and miscalibration

False readings from interference

Privacy intrusion by sensing

Also called

limit switchproximity sensormagnetic proximity fuzeIRCF360carbon dioxide sensorTrue RMS converterFabry–Pérot sensorcadence sensorcapacitive sensingchemosensorparticulate matter sensorelectromagnetic sensorMultiSensor 7HC-SR04orifice platefingerprint scannerHypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensorpressure sensorelectronic compassspectral sensorAFM probeacoustic sensorelectronic tonguecapacitive touch sensorhumidity sensorsun sensorThematic Mapperilluminance sensorresistive sensorquantum sensortunable resistive pulse sensingairborne sensor systemLoad CellMultiplexline sensorEddy-Current sensorair current sensorsoftsensorcharge-coupled deviceelectro-optical sensor

+102

Where this came from

wikidata · CC0 1.0

Source repository Registry entry point

Drafted structure

Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.

Choose Selecting a sensor.

Fit to task.

Select

Sensor selection.

Select

Selection.

  1. Which sensor type suits this measurand, range, environment and accuracy need? action
  2. Which trade-offs matter, such as cost, power and response time? boundary

Specs

Reading specifications.

Specs

Specifications.

  1. What do range, resolution, accuracy, drift and response time mean on a sensor datasheet? definition
  2. How is the sensor interfaced? definition
Principles How sensors work.

Physics.

Types

Sensor principles.

Types

Principles.

  1. How do this sensor type work, such as capacitive proximity, thermocouple or infrared gas sensing? definition
  2. What limits its performance? definition

Calibration

Calibration.

Calibration

Calibration.

  1. How is a sensor calibrated, and how often? provenance
  2. How is traceability ensured? provenance
Use Installing and using.

Practice.

Install

Installation.

Install

Installation.

  1. How should this sensor be mounted, wired and shielded from interference? action
  2. Which environmental protection is needed? provenance

Data

Signal and data.

Data

Data.

  1. How is the sensor signal conditioned, digitised and filtered? action
  2. How are faults detected? action
Safety Safety and privacy.

Responsibility.

Safety

Safety sensors.

Safety

Safety sensors.

  1. Which standards apply to sensors in safety functions, such as limit switches and gas detectors? provenance
  2. How is reliability verified? provenance

Privacy

Sensing people.

Privacy

Privacy.

  1. Which privacy and consent rules apply to sensors that capture personal data, such as cameras and occupancy sensors? provenance
  2. How can sensing be minimised? action

What the second pass must settle

  • Should each sensor family be a separate entry?
  • How should datasheets be linked?
  • How should privacy rules be linked?
Draft as JSON