Op Amp Applications Handbook

SECTION 4-1

Introduction

Walt Kester

This chapter of the book deals with various sensors and associated signal-conditioning circuitry involving the use of op amps and in amps. While the topic is generally very broad, the focus is to concentrate on circuit and signal processing applications of sensors rather than the details of the actual sensors themselves.

Strictly speaking, a sensor is a device that receives a signal or stimulus and responds with an electrical signal, while a transducer is a converter of one type of energy into another. In practice, however, the terms are often used interchangeably.

Sensors and their associated circuits are used to measure various physical properties such as temperature, force, pressure, flow, position, ...