Subject:
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Sensor Basics
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics.handyboard
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Date:
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Fri, 13 Jun 1997 13:36:39 GMT
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Original-From:
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Michael A. Tyborski <webwerx@execpcSAYNOTOSPAM.com>
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Viewed:
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1469 times
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Robots depend upon sensors to give them information about the "real
world." These sensors detect a value, convert it to a measureable form,
and scale its range. A Phototransistor, for example, converts light
intensity into fluctuations of electrical current. By passing this
current through a resistor, it becomes a measureable voltage.
This web site and collection of books take the mystery out of sensor
design and use:
Sable Systems International
Online Measurement Guide (18 pages)
Discusses the most common sensors used in research: PH, temperature,
light, pressure, humidity, and magnetic field. Although it isn't
extremely detailed, it includes references to sensor suppliers. Use this
information to learn the basics and then find more detailed material.
http://www.sablesys.com/measure.html
BOOKS WORTH LOOKING AT
Sorry, the Internet does not have everything you need online. These
hobbiest-level books provide good ideas for simple and inexpensive
sensors. Although some circuits use older integrated circuits, the
principles are important. Microcontroller applications, for example, may
only need part of a circuit. Learn what can be done, and adapt the
circuits to your application.
The Transducer Project Book
by Michael J. Andrews
Published by TAB Books, Inc. ISBN 0-8306-1992-5
How to Design and Build Electronic Instrumentation
by Joseph J. Carr
Published by TAB Books, Inc. ISBN 0-8306-9910-4
The Forrest Mims' Circuit Scrapbook
by Forrest Mims
Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company ISBN 0-07-042389-X
Forrest Mims' Circuit Scrapbook II
by Forrest M. Mims, III
Published by Howard W. Sams and Company ISBN 0-672-22552-2
Overall, Forrest Mims finds a novel way to use every semiconductor that
exists. He designs inexpensive circuits, explains the theory, and shows
practical applications. His books deserve a place on every
experimenter's workbench.
The Robot Builder's Bonanza:
99 Inexpensive Robotics Projects
by Gordon McComb
Published by TAB Books, Inc. ISBN 0-8306-2800-2
Mobile Robots: Inspiration to Implementation
by Joseph L. Jones and Anita M. Flynn
Published by AK Peters, Ltd. ISBN 1-56881-011-3
http://www.ai.mit.edu/people/anita/book.html
If you're building a robot and haven't read the last two books, you
deserve to have a hard time :-)
Cheers,
Michael A. Tyborski
WebWerx
Milwaukee, WI
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