Contents
Switch
Switches are simple sensors that detect an ON or OFF state. They come in many different types. With some microcontrollers, you must wire the switch with a pull-up resistor - for documentation on how to do this, see the ../PullUpResistor page.
toggle |
|
rocker |
|
pushbutton |
|
snap |
|
key |
|
slide |
|
lever |
|
magnetic reed |
|
momentary |
|
rotary |
|
microswitch/tact |
|
|
|
Potentiometer (knob)
Potentiometers typically measure rotation or linear travel, and are used in car stereos, dimmers, equalizers, etc. to input a continuous range of values.
radio shack rotary potentiometer, 10K ohm, linear
digigkey slide potentiometer, 10K ohm, linear
Proximity
Proximity sensors measure the distance from the sensor to an obstructing object in front of the sensor. There are two types, Infrared and Sonar. The infrared sensors are cheaper, but the sonar sensors are typically more accurate.
New sonar sensor: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=639
Long range sonar sensor: http://infusionsystems.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/24/products_id/62
8" - 60" IR sensor: http://acroname.com/robotics/parts/R144-GP2Y0A02YK.html
4" - 30" IR sensor: http://acroname.com/robotics/parts/R48-IR12.html
Accelerometer
Accelerometers measure acceleration, both static (i.e. gravity) and dynamic (i.e. change in the speed of motion). These are usually sold in either 2 axis (X and Y) or 3 axis (X, Y and Z) versions.
2D http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/5109-Buffered-2g-Accelerometer.aspx
3D http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/5111-Buffered-3D-Accelerometer.aspx
Bend/Flex
Bend sensors measure the bend or flex of what they are attached to.
Ribbon
Ribbon sensors measure the position of a finger touch across a surface (one dimension only)
Pressure
Pressure sensors measure the amount of pressure, for example of a finger press, or the weight of someone standing on a surface.
http://infusionsystems.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/24/products_id/52
http://infusionsystems.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/48
http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/c/2670-Force-Sensors-Pressure-Touch-Sensors.aspx
Temperature
Temperature sensors measure the air temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Motion
Motion sensors detect the motion of a heated object (typically a person) in a room, typically very wide angle. Not to be confused with proximity sensors, which measure the distance of a thing from a position in a room.
Touch
The Qprox QT113 acts essentially like a switch, only is activated by touch. The circuit is relatively simple to setup - see this tutorial. Once setup, a lead wire coming from the circuit may be embedded into almost any object, turning it into a switch operated by touch.
Other Sensor Types
air pressure |
tilt |
light |
magnetism |
sound |
acceleration |
humidity |
touch position 2D (trackpad) |
joystick |
compass |