Sensor Tips

For harsh environments, materials provide the difference between survival and failure by addressing thermal, chemical and mechanical operating requirements. However, the right materials are also essential to achieve the desired sensor electrical performance, especially in many more demanding, high performance applications. This starts with the sensing element and extends to the packaging. As one of […]

Temperature is a widely measured real-world physical variable, but achieving credible results is harder than it seems, even for a simple device such as a kitchen oven. Calibration of a sensor and its associated electronics channel before making critical measurements or monitoring system performance is a common requirement in many situations. In some cases, it’s […]

The new dynamic reference diffuse sensor DRT25C.R from Leuze detects various film-wrapped bottles and cans fault-free. It uses the conveyor as a reference, and because the detection does not rely on objects, no adjustments are required when changing products. Leuze is expanding its range of dynamic reference diffuse sensors with the DRT 25C.R container sensor. […]

SICK is launching its latest generation of miniature photoelectric sensors, the W4F. A new ASIC platform delivers numerous performance advantages to this product family. For example, these sensors can detect jet black, highly reflective, flat, or transparent objects with the utmost reliability. The W4F can also provide distance information, such as the height of objects […]

A quick search for “sensors in the smart home” can easily identify dozens of sensors – primarily for sensing physical properties. The results could be one of many specific sensing technologies or specific products. For example, one search showed: Fire/CO detection Leak/moisture detection Window & door open and close Video doorbell Smart thermostat Motion sensors […]

Paragraf introduces the GHS-C Graphene Hall Sensor (GHS), providing the industry’s only viable approach to measuring magnetic field strengths of 7 Tesla (T) and above, at temperature extremes below 3 Kelvin (K). Paragraf has entered volume production of the GHS-C, a Graphene-based Hall sensor optimized to provide high field measurements while operating at cryogenic temperatures. […]

You may read about the 5th-generation Waymo Driver but until you see one on the road, it is hard to appreciate the extent of its sensing capabilities. Sensors are visible everywhere on the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace SUV. In fact, each visible mounting location has more than one sensor. To consistently obtain the amount of information […]

C&K has developed a single pole double throw (SPDT) tactile switch designed for elevator buttons, gaming controllers, and the industrial market. The TLSM Series SPDT tact switch combines a space-saving design with high reliability all within a compact design that is only 6.0mm x 6.1mm. At only 6.0 mm x 6.1 mm x 3.45 mm, […]

The use of radar in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control (ACC), automatic emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian and cyclist detection and more has been widespread for many years. In these external vehicle applications, radar detects the speed and range of objects in the vicinity of the vehicle and typically operates at 77 […]

For the third year, SICK invited students from universities around the country to participate in the TiM$10K Challenge. The challenge started in 2018 to support innovation and student achievement in automation and technology. Teams were supplied with a 270° SICK LiDAR sensor (TiM) and accessories and challenged to solve a problem, create a solution, or […]

TDK Corporation has upgraded its Micronas 3D HAL direct-angle Hall-effect sensor family, HAL 37xy (HAL 37xy, HAR 37xy, and HAC 37xy),* for automotive and industrial applications regarding functional safety aspects. All members of HAL 37xy are now defined as SEooC (Safety Element out of Context) ASIL B-ready, according to ISO 26262. HAL 37xy rotary position […]

Samtec has released a family of SMPM products designed to support the demands of emerging technologies where space is limited and a high operating frequency up to 65 GHz is required. Samtec offers ganged, multi-port solutions in both cable-to-board and board-to-board applications. Standard SMPM connectors with bullet adaptors, and cable assemblies using .047″ and .086″ cable, are […]

Both variable reluctance (VR) and eddy current (EC) technologies provide contactless speed sensors based on interaction with a magnetic field. A variable reluctance sensor can be thought of as an ac generator with an output voltage proportional to speed. With its self-generating electrical signal, a VR sensor does not require an external power supply. The […]

The Measuring Division of Kaman Precision Products, Inc. announces the KD-5100+, an upgraded higher reliability version of Kaman’s legacy KD-5100 measuring system. The KD-5100+ retains the proven performance of the KD-5100 system while incorporating upgrades to the circuit layout, ground connections, and sensor connectors. The upgraded system also features higher-reliability diodes and capacitors. The KD-5100+ […]

With its recently announced Exo Sense Pi, Sfera Labs s.r.l. provides its answer to this question. It is a multi-sensor module with the Raspberry Pi 4 as its computing core. Offering specialized sensors and interfaces, the system provides easy and versatile integration with wide communication protocols support. Sensors for the Exo Sense Pi include: temperature […]

Pushing the performance envelope with advanced edge-based hardware, Sfera Labs has introduced its latest multi-sensor module. The Exo Sense Pi leverages Raspberry Pi 4 computing capabilities. This compact wall-mount unit features a 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 processor running at up to 1.5GHz, which is way beyond what other sensor modules on the market can deliver. […]

The latest addition to Balluff’s SmartCamera portfolio provides a cost-effective option for manufacturers wanting a machine vision system but not requiring image analysis features. The new BVS XL SmartCamera Lite is a simplified version of Balluff’s existing smart camera. It provides the same quality control of objects but without some tools that aren’t needed for […]

It was a tough year in 2020 and now there are semiconductor shortages in 2021. So, with all that has and is going on, how is it impacting the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) industry? MEMS technology accounts for many different types of sensors as well as actuators. To find out, Roger Grace, president of Roger Grace […]

Harold G. Schaevitz Industries LLC (HGSI) has expanded its sensor product offering by adding a line of ILPS-27 Series Inductive Linear Position Sensors using LVIT Technology; contactless devices designed for factory automation and a variety of industrial or commercial applications such as motorsport vehicles, automotive testing, solar cell positioners, wind turbine prop pitch and brake […]

RSF Elektronik has announced the launch of a newly designed sealed linear encoder series for high-end metrology applications. Offered through parent company HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION in North America, these MSA 7xx/8xx model encoders offer high quality and easy mounting solutions that are well suited for use on CMMs, Optical Comparators, Video Measuring Machines, among other types […]

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. introduced a new extended temperature “E” option for its TSSP77038 infrared (IR) sensor module in the Heimdall package. Designed to meet the special requirements of outdoor applications, the Vishay Semiconductors TSSP77038ETR has been enhanced with a storage temperature range of -40 °C to +110 °C and an operating temperature range of -30 […]

CUI Devices’ Switches Group announced the addition of slide switches to its product portfolio. Available in compact package sizes as small as 10 x 2.5 x 5.9 mm, the MSS series is a family of mini slide switches featuring 2.54 mm pitches, SPDT circuits, and on-on switch functions. Thanks to their compact footprints, these mini […]

C&K has developed a miniature SMT tactile switch designed for wearable and portable IoT devices. The PTS847 Series side-actuated tact switch combines a space-saving design with heightened durability to handle drop-impacts common to consumer devices. At only 4.6 mm x 2.2 mm x 2.6 mm, the PTS847 Series features an edge mount configuration that raises […]

Researchers continue to search for improved solutions to power the many wireless, wearable sensing devices that are being developed to avoid frequent, or as frequent, charging and/or battery replacement. Two of the prominent research areas include thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and piezoelectric energy harvesters. With wearable thermoelectric generators (TEGs), the amount of thermo‐generated power strongly depends […]

CARLO GAVAZZI has announced the addition of a compact ON/OFF current sensor, which is ideal for monitoring of critical loads such as fans, water pumps, lighting, and motors. The EISH Series can detect current as low as 200 mA AC and up to 60 Amps AC, making it optimal for applications in a variety of […]