View of SMART SENSING TECHNOLOGY: STRUCTURE, APPLICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION IN TOPICAL ADVANCEMENTS

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Vol.04,Special Issue 05, (ICIR-2019) September 2019, Available Online: www.ajeee.co.in/index.php/AJEEE

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SMART SENSING TECHNOLOGY: STRUCTURE, APPLICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION IN TOPICAL ADVANCEMENTS

Jitendra Kumar Yadav Research Scholar (Computer Science) Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur

Abstract- Smart Sensing Technology has emerged as the backbone of almost every smart technology. It is used in all technological sciences and advancements. Without sensors, future of smart technology is unimaginable. Wireless sensor networks can be used to monitor and manage remote critical devices with better controlling and enhanced decision- making abilities. Smart sensors have various advantages such as smaller size, better performance and low power-consumption as compared to conventional sensors. On the large level, there is hardly any technology that can develop without the use of sensors.

Smart sensing Technology has become an essential requisite for progression in every technical discipline. Sensors are used in almost every technology including smart gadgets, security systems, automobile industries, architectural infrastructures, healthcare management and in many other disciplines. This paper briefly discusses the structure of smart sensors and implementation of smart sensors in various systems. It will also discuss the future of smart sensing technology and its advancements.

Keywords: Smart Sensing, Wireless networks, Sensors, Technology, Technical advancements.

1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses the definition of sensors, its working, its types and the concept of the sensing technology. It will also describe various functions of the sensors in different disciplines and the technology of converting conventional sensors into smart sensors.

Firstly, what are sensors? Angelov et al define sensors as a device “that samples signals taken from the physical environment and processes them with its built-in computing resources before passing them to a centralized sensor hub. Smart sensors are key integral elements of the IoT notion. One implementation of smart sensors is as components of wireless sensor networks (WSN’s) whose nodes can number in thousands, each of which is connected with other sensors and with centralized hubs.” (34) Generally, Sensors can be defined as the devices which sense the presence of any object and generate their output.

This output can be in the form of ‘NO’ and ‘NC’.

‘NO’ Open circuit, “Switch off”

‘NC’ Close circuit, “Switch on”

“NO” and “NC” are the form of the output of sensors. Here it depends that which output of the sensor is being used by the user. If the output is “NO”, it does not imply that the result will be negative. Similarly, if the output is “NC”, it does not insure a positive result. Output of the sensors and the output of the data processed by that sensor can be dissimilar. It depends on how we use the sensor for the generation of positive or negative result by it.

Sensors are like Transistors which can be broadly categorized in two types:

1. PNP – PNP sensors generate positive output.

2. NPN – NPN sensors generate negative output.

Further, we can divide the sensors according to metallic or non-metallic object. We have to use different kinds of sensors for metallic objects and non-metallic objects. Both kinds of objects cannot use same type of sensors. On this basis, sensors can be divided as:

1. Inductive Sensors 2. Capacitive Sensors

1. Inductive Sensors: These types of sensors are used to sense metallic objects. If we use any sensor to detect any metallic object of any machine, it will belong to Inductive Sensor category. For example if we want to detect the distance of any metallic object, then Inductive sensors will be used in the process. This type of sensor will not generate any output on non-metallic objects.

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2. Capacitive Sensors: These sensors are used to sense all non-metallic objects including plastic, paper, cloth and rubber etc. If such sensors are applied on metallic objects, we will receive no output. These kinds of sensors are very favorable for paper industries and cloth mill trades etc. Before applying any sensor, it is always recommended to be assured about the discipline and the purpose of the certain sensor to avoid trouble in the future use.

There are sensors that function according to the color-coding of the objects. They can be designed to sense different colors such as red, black, white green, blue etc. If a sensor is designed to detect any particular color, then its range will be limited to that color only and it will not be able to sense other colors. If any other color appears in its range, then the output is most likely to change. It will generate “NC”

2 WIRE-BASED SENSORS

Wire based sensors can be divided as:

 2 wire based sensors

This section is focused on the wires used in sensors. There are different wires used in the sensors for the input of power and generation of the output. For a sensor to work properly, it is mandatory to connect wires accurately otherwise the output might not be according to expectations.

2 wire based sensors Brown +24V

Blue Com

If we apply 24V in brown wire and any object is found, then output will be generated through blue wire.

3 wire based sensors Brown +24V Blue Com Black NO

In this sensor, we input 24 V through brown wire.

Blue wire is for switching.

Black wire is used to generate output.

4 wire based sensors Brown +24V Blue Com.

Black NO White NC

Here, one sensor performs dual functions. For example in any system, if “NC” is being used to hold any relay then black wire will generate “NO” output until any object is detected. In other words, if any object is not discovered by the sensor, then Black wire will remain “off”

and white wire will remain “on”. But as soon as any object is detected by sensors, Black

SENSOR

4 WIRED SENSOR 3 WIRED

SENSOR

2 WIRED

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wire will be switched on and generate output while white wire will be switched off and the circuit will become open (NO).

5 wire based sensors

Brown +24V Blue Com.

Black NO White NC Green NO

This sensor works similar to 4 wired sensors with an additional wire with open circuit. In this system, if the sensor is static and has not detected something then black and green wire have an open circuit and generate “NO” output. Only white wire has closed circuit that will generate “NC” output. When this sensor detects any object, then Black and green wire are converted to closed circuits and begin to generate output while white wire gets converted into open circuit and no output is generated through it.

3 USE OF SENSORS IN VARIOUS FIELDS AND INDUSTRIES

Sensors are used widely in various technologies and disciplines. Few of them are described below:

3.1 Use of sensors in architecture of buildings

Sensors are used to build intelligent architectural buildings. Through this technology, buildings can be controlled by sensors which are applied on the functional apparatuses of the building including ventilation, heating or cooling, power management, water management, cooking gas management and building health monitoring etc. In this way, buildings can be made intelligent, smart and advanced through the use of sensors. Whole system of sensors should be applied with fine accuracy. According to Gassmann and Meixner,

“A fascinating item on biometric access security systems brings to life the ‘spy- thrillers’ world of automatic iris and fingerprint scanners as a means of secure access to key-less buildings. The discussion extends to threats to such systems whereby ‘replay’ attacks, for example presenting a face recognition system with a photograph of an individual, reveal the necessary further steps if the technology is to be considered safe.”

They further add on to say that “the massive interconnection issues of numerous sensors, the ‘nervous system’ of the building is approached in items covering the complexities of fieldbus systems and the use of ‘wireless’ in-building networks.”

3.2 Use of sensors in Medical and Health Care

In Medical Science, Sensors are widely used in the advanced instruments used in Hospitals and Health care centers. Besides, sensors are also being used in the diagnosis of various diseases of Human body. In today’s technological based treatments, several advance cures also make use of sensors. Smart sensors are very useful for Health Monitoring as they can provide full body diagnose through advanced scans and x-rays. Various types of sensors are used in delivery machines, oxygen concentrator, Sleep apnea machines, ventilators, respiratory monitoring, gas mixing and electro surgery etc. In electro surgery, high frequency electric current is applied on tissues to cut, cause coagulation, desiccation or destroy tumor tissues.

3.3 Use of Sensors in Automobile Technology

Sensors play a vital role in the manufacturing of cars. In modern-style advanced cars, numerous decisions are based on sensors data. A car engine management consists of a wide range of sensor devices working together. Sheen et al proposed that,

5 WIRED SENSOR

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“The general market for sensors will increase as it is driven by increased demand for convenience, comfort, safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. Sensors integrated with electronics, communications and computer intelligence are poised for a growth surge. Integrated sensors with intelligence are often referred to as

“smart sensors” or “intelligent sensors” and will be used in conjunction with all types of devices. The implication for the automobile industry is the advent of the

“smart car”. (10)

Sensors are used to provide the details of temperature, pressure, humidity, tire pressure and vibration etc. Now-a-days, new and advanced hybrid cars highly depend on sensor devices.

3.4 Use of Sensors in Aerospace Technology

Sensors play a major role in Aerospace manufacturing. Temperature, pressure, load, flow and vibrations are measured with the use of sensors. To assure health, safety, accuracy and efficiency of essential onboard systems, avionics receive important in-flight information and provide feedback to the computers that control rockets and payload operations. Hunter et al in their study established that

“Aerospace applications require a range of chemical sensing technologies to monitor conditions in both space vehicle environments and in aircraft or spacecraft operations. The ability to produce micro sensor platforms that can be tailored to measure a range of species has been an ongoing technology direction of this group.

From these basic platforms, a range of sensor elements can be fabricated and tailored to meet the needs of a range of applications. Combined with that effort has been the development of miniaturized hardware and software systems that can be implemented in aerospace applications.”(59)

Propulsion systems, manufacturing testing and R&D are among the major used areas of sensors that test the durability of components subjected to rigorous stresses and environmental turbulences. (www.omega.com)

3.5 Use of Sensors in Environment Technology

In the advanced era of modern machinery, all fields are based on technological progression including the field of agricultural science. By using sensors, we can find out the expanse of pollution in environment. Sensors can also provide useful information about air pressure, moisture and temperature of the atmosphere and this data can be processed for weather forecasting and to procure other relevant details. Girolamo Di Francia in the study about The Development of Sensor Applications in the Sectors of Energy and Environment in Italy, 1976-2015 describes that in Italy, first laws and regulations in environment sectors were established in 1988 (law DPR n 203). “Several Italian groups began then to investigate these fields and it was mainly as a result of that pioneering effort that the National association of the research groups involved in the field of sensors and microsystems, AISEM, could be founded in 1995.” With regard to air pollution, Francia found that “there was initially great interest in the main gaseous pollutants SO2, CO and NO2, and to then investigate the detection of benzene, ethanol and methanol or, even using optical fibers, other VOCs such as xylene and toluene. Sensor arrays for the detection and discrimination of multiple pollutants in the air were also investigated taking into account the experience in the realization of the first Italian electronic noses.”

Smart agricultural technologies also make use of the sensors for better production with less consumption of water and electricity. In this regard, sensors can be used to detect and control the required amount of water in the crop and they can also help in regulating optimum temperature and moisture for high productivity and enhanced yield in the fields.

3.6 Use of Sensors in Household Applications

This function of sensors comes under the concept of IoT (Internet of Things). Broadly, it means that we can control all household applications through internet or by smart phones by using the information provided by sensors. Smart sensors are used in various advanced household appliances including clothes dryer, cooktops, dishwashers, household oven, microwave oven, refrigerator, small appliances, washing machine and water heater etc.

In clothes dryer, humidity sensor monitors process humidity and stops the dryer when clothes are dry, thermopile processes clothing temperature to avert overheating and

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fabric damage and force sensors measure payload weight at the start of the cycle. In cooktops, temperature sensors monitor glass surface temperature for cooking control and

‘hot’ indication lights for user’s safety. Dishwasher uses MR (magneto-resistive) sensors in which magnet confirm spray and rotation, temperature sensors measure water temperature and control heating elements. In microwave ovens, humidity sensors monitor food moisture content during cooking, thermopile measures food temperature without the need to make physical contact and force sensors measure food weight on the turntable. In refrigerators, temperature sensors monitor the freezer and refrigerator cabinets as part of the control system. Humidity sensors monitor humidity in produce drawers and compartments and also the ambient room humidity to help manage frost prevention and doorframe condensation. In washing machines, temperature sensor measures water temperature and controls heating elements, pressure sensors monitor water level, vibration sensor detects out-of-balance conditions during spin, proximity sensors verifies door closed and latched before start-up and force sensors measure payload weight at the beginning of the wash- cycle. Temperature sensors in water heater measure water temperature and controls heating element while flow switch is used to detect “flow-on” condition. In household ovens, temperature sensors are used to observe pyrolitic cleaning temperature and control door- latch. (Te.com/appliancesensorsolutions)

4 HOW A SENSOR CAN BE CONVERTED INTO A SMART SENSOR.

Sensors are the devices that can perform the function of sensing other objects and produce output. Sensors are not smart on their own and only have the capacity to provide processed data. It is the skill of the designers of the various sensing systems who can develop the processed data provided by sensors into smart sensing technologies and devices. In other words, sensors possess no smartness rather systems developed through sensors can work smartly by using data provided by sensors.

REFERENCES

1. Francia, Girolamo Di. "The Development of Sensor Applications in the Sectors of Energy and Environment in Italy, 1976-2015." MDPI (2017).

2. G. W. Hunter, J. C. Xu, L. K. Dungan, B. J. Ward, S. Rowe, J. Williams, D.B. Makel, C.C. Liu, C. W.

Chang. "Smart Sensor Sysyems for Aerospace Applications: From Sensor Development to Application Testing.".

3. George Vasilev Angelov, Dimitar Petrov Nikolakov, Ivelina Nikolaeva Ruskova, Elitsa Emilova Gieva, Maria Liubomirova Spasova. "Healthcare Sensing and Monitoring." (2019): 226-262.

4. O Gassman, H. Meixner. "Sensors in Intelligent Buildings." Measurement Science and Technology.

5. S. H. Sheen, A. C. Raptis, M.J. Moscynski. "Automotive Vehicle Sensors." ANL.

6. te.com/content/dam/te-com/documents/sensors/global/TE_SensorSolutions_Appliances. 2016. 7 09 2019.

7. www.omega.com. 6 09 2019.