Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 3

Appendix A. Sensor Output

This appendix provides some basic information about nine forms of sensor outputs, and the ways in which they can be processed. Other types of encoded output exist, but those examined here are the ones most likely to be found.

Figure A-1 provides an overview. Every sensor initially creates an analog output, which is sometimes connected directly to an output pin. In thermistors and photoresistors, for example, the internal resistance of the component constitutes its output. In many sensors, however, the behavior of the sensing element is processed internally to create voltage, open collector, encoded pulse stream, or current output.

If the sensor is chip-based, it may process the analog sensor response internally to create ...