The PIGA is the oldest accelerometer and widely used in rocketry and guidance, and still the best – but MEMS-based devices are getting closer At the core of each single-axis PIGA is a gyroscope. The performance of this gyro – which is unrelated to the orientation gyros – plays a large role in determining the […]
PIGAs can indeed fly – and are still the best, Part 1: Frame of reference
The PIGA is the oldest accelerometer, is widely used in rocketry and guidance, and is still the best – but MEMS-based devices are getting closer. When you see an inexpensive drone, a more sophisticated one, an unmanned aircraft, a standard piloted aircraft, guided or intercontinental ballistic missile ICBM), an underwater drone or submarine, or a […]
New Gefran inclination sensors from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added Gefran inclination sensors to their growing lineup of position transducers. Gefran sensors use cutting-edge MEMS technology (micro-electromechanical devices integrated onto a single silicon chip) to provide reliable and precise tilt angle measurement with respect to gravity. The Gefran sensors are rugged and suitable for the harshest environments. They come in an encapsulated, […]
What’s happening in medtech/wearables sensor applications?
According to Markets and Markets, the global wearable technology market is projected to grow from $115-120 B in 2021 to $260-265B in 2026 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18-20%. Sensors represent a key enabling technology in wearables. Mordor Intelligence identified examples of sensors in wearable products that include Apple Watch’s EKG capabilities […]
Streaming 4x cameras with small carrier board: fast prototype
Embedded vision components are ever-popular and are being incorporated into a plethora of applications. What all these applications have in common is the need to pack more functionality into tight spaces. Often, it is advantageous for these systems to make decisions on the edge. To enable such systems, including the ability to prototype quickly, Teledyne […]
What sensors are used in today’s and tomorrow’s HVAC systems? Part 3
Part 1 provided background on the evolution of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and the increased use of sensors and Part 2 elaborated on sensing in more advanced HVAC systems. In this third and final part, government and industry organization’s effort to change HVAC systems and the impact on sensing will be explored. In […]
What sensors are used in today’s and tomorrow’s HVAC systems? Part 2
Part 1 provided background on the evolution of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and the increased use of sensors in these systems. Today, sensors are used both to monitor the indoor environment as well as to monitor and control the equipment that is used to cool or heat, humidify or dehumidify as well as […]
SerialGuard cybersecurity solution for gas pipeline operations
Designed for Industrial Control Systems (ICS), SerialGuard is a fully passive serial packet sniffer that enables secure visibility within vulnerable legacy networks. This fail-safe sensor monitors Level 0 and Level 1 serial communications between field devices and controllers. Combined with the Cynalytica AnalytICS Engine Platform, it can also reveal and help alert traffic anomalies that […]
NewTek LVDT position sensors on Vibroseis trucks
Seismic surveys are a popular non-invasive method used by exploration companies to search for oil and gas below the Earth’s surface. The testing is conducted with vibroseis trucks that deliver a low-frequency vibration from a seismic vibrator using a base plate that impacts the earth. With every sweep, outgoing vibration signals from the trucks impact […]
NewTek sensors ensure vibroseis trucks perform accurate seismic surveys
Seismic surveys are a popular non-invasive method used by exploration companies to search for oil and gas below the Earth’s surface. The testing is conducted with vibroseis trucks that deliver a low frequency vibration from a seismic vibrator using a base plate that impacts the earth. With every sweep, outgoing vibration signals from the trucks […]
GMR crankshaft and camshaft sensors optimized for HEV engine platforms
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. announced the release of two new state-of-the-art giant magnetoresistances (GMR) crankshaft and camshaft sensors. The ATS16951 (crankshaft) and ATS16351 (camshaft) sensors are unique in the market and provide manufacturers with a single-vendor solution that’s ideal for hybrid vehicle engines, with use cases extending to two-wheelers, off-road vehicles, and application designs requiring extended air gap performance. […]
LRS-18 Series spring-loaded LVIT linear position sensor
The LRS-18 series of LVIT (Linear Variable Inductance Transducer) spring-loaded position sensors by Alliance Sensors Group are contactless devices designed for dimensional or position measuring applications in factory automation and in various industrial and commercial applications, such as: automotive testing, mil/aero test stands, robotic arms, and packaging equipment. An ideal solution for when the sensing […]
What sensors are used in today’s and tomorrow’s HVAC systems? Part 1
When Willis Carrier designed a system of fans, ducts and perforated pipes, which became the first modern electric air conditioner (AC) in 1902 (120 years ago), sensing was not part of the bill of materials. Devon Brock, Manager of Product Knowledge and Training, Sensors Group at TE Connectivity provides some insight into subsequent AC systems. […]
How do time-of-flight sensors work?
Using the time-of-flight (ToF) principle, a ToF sensor measures the distance between the sensor and an object. The sensor emits a signal that is reflected off an object and then detects the time for a round trip to occur. Typically, either light or sound waves can provide the transmitted signal. In either case, the distance […]
Weld Pad Surface Temperature Thermocouple Probe
The Sensor Connection a division of Harold G. Schaevitz Industries, has expanded its sensor products by offering their Weld Pad Surface Temperature Thermocouple Probe. Designed for use in industrial applications to measure surface temperature by way of attachment via weld, braze, or clamp. The Weld Pad Surface Temperature Thermocouple Probe is flexible to easily form […]
Autonomously driving robotic assistance system for automated coil creel placement
Due to industry standard 4.0, digitalization, automation, and networking of systems and facilities are becoming the predominant topics in production and thus also in logistics. Industry 4.0 pursues the increasing optimization of processes and workflows in favor of productivity and flexibility and thus the saving of time and costs. Robotic systems have become the driving […]
Advanced MEMS sensors from STMicroelectronics power-up the onlife era
STMicroelectronics is introducing its third generation of MEMS sensors. The new sensors enable the next leap in performance and features for consumer mobiles and smart industries, healthcare, and retail. MEMS technology is the cornerstone of the robust and chip-sized motion and environmental sensors that drive the intuitive context-aware features of today’s smartphones and wearables. ST’s latest […]
What sensor measurements are made using buoys?
Buoys were historically employed as simple mechanical structures to identify a safe navigation route or mark hazards such as reefs and below the surface rocks. The addition of battery and lights brought an electrical aspect to them and increased their visibility at night. These days a buoy can be part of the Internet of Things […]
How is biomarker sensing expanding?
Pathogens, infectious agents that cause disease, can include microscopic viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Both biomarkers and biosensors can detect and identify pathogenic agents. After using biomarkers to measure and detect pathogenic factors and assess biological conditions., drugs can be delivered to the target tissue so that other tissues are not damaged. Biomarkers are widely […]
ToF sensor maps 3D surfaces
STMicroelectronics has announced a new family of high-resolution Time-of-Flight sensors that bring advanced 3D depth imaging to smartphones and other devices. The 3D family debuts with the VD55H1. This sensor maps three-dimensional surfaces by measuring the distance to over half a million points. Objects can be detected up to five meters from the sensor, and even further […]
Stainless-steel pressure sensors handle 0 kPa to 100 MPa range
CUI Devices’ Sensors Group announced the addition of pressure sensors to its product portfolio. Offering absolute, gauge, and sealed gauge pressure types, these pressure sensors based on piezo technology feature analog or digital I2C outputs and pressure ranges from 0 kPa up to 100 MPa. All PS series models are temperature compensated and housed in stainless steel construction […]
Sensor processing unit integrates DSP to run AI algorithms and MEMs sensors on same silicon
STMicroelectronics announced the launch of the Intelligent Sensor Processing Unit (ISPU) that combines a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) suited to run AI algorithms and MEMS sensor on the same silicon. In addition to reducing size over system-in-package devices and cutting power by up to 80%, merging sensor and AI puts electronic decision-making in the application Edge. Here, it […]
Case Study: Teledyne FLIR machine vision cameras
Manufacturing accounts for more than half of the world’s total gross world product (GWP) at $40 trillion, but 20% of every dollar spent goes to waste, according to manufacturing optimization company Instrumental. This represents a problem worth $8 trillion, or 10% of the GWP. Founded in 2015 by former Apple engineers, Instrumental has developed an […]
How can a MEMS microphone be used in harsh environments?
The answer depends on how harsh of an environment and how much protection is required. For a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone, one of the most-harsh environments is the human body, since sweat and dirt can cause failures in traditional MEMS microphone architectures. Regarding the protection, the International Electrochemical Commission’s (IEC’s) IEC 60529 rating system defines different […]
Wireless switchgear for two-component injection moulding
Wireless, not cabled: according to this principle, wireless switches, and sensors from steute guarantee safe, reliable, and cable-free signal transmission in a wide range of applications. One interesting area for this solution is plastic injection molding, especially multi-component processes which often involve machines with rotary plates. These plates enable the main part of the construction […]