Understanding Smart Sensors - Nomads.usp

xxUnderstanding Smart Sensorsthose devices. The number of sensors and the intelligence level are increasing tokeep up with increasing control complexity.Semiconductor sensors initially were developed to provide easier-tointerface,lower-cost, and more reliable inputs to electronic control systems.The microcontrollers at the heart of these systems have increased in complexityand capability while drastically achieving reduced cost per function. Semiconductortechnology has also been applied to the input side for a few sensorinputs (pressure, temperature, acceleration, optoelectronics, and Hall-effectdevices) but is just starting to broaden in scope (level of integration) and sensedparameters and to achieve some of the cost-reduction benefits from integration.The system outputs have done a better job of keeping up with advancesin semiconductor technology. The term smart power refers to semiconductorpower technologies that combine an output power device(s) with control circuitryon the same silicon chip. Both input and output devices are receivinggreater focus, the capability of combining technologies is being extended, andthe need for systems-level communications is finally making smart sensors areality.Wen Ko of Case Western Reserve University established a vision for intelligentsensors [3], but Joe Giachino of Ford Motor Company is frequentlygiven credit for the term smart sensor, based on his 1986 paper [4]. Several others,including Middelhoek and Brignell, claim part of the credit for pioneeringthe concept of smart sensors with capabilities beyond simple signal conditioning.The communication of sensory information is finally requiring consensusfor the true meaning of smart sensor.The ultimate capabilities of new smart sensors will undoubtedly go farbeyond today’s projections. An understanding of what is possible today andwhat can be expected in the future is necessary to take the first step towardsmarter sensing systems. This book is intended to provide the reader withknowledge regarding a broad spectrum of possibilities based on current industry,university, and national laboratories’ R&D efforts in smart sensors. It discussesmany recent developments that will affect sensing technology and futureproducts.In this second edition, every chapter has been reviewed, and new, morecurrent material has been added. The recent balloting and acceptance of IEEE1451.1 and 1451.2 provided the impetus for updating the first edition.Chapters 12 and 13 address those important additions to the future of smartsensing.I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Mark Shaw, whose conceptof the phases of integration became an underlying theme for this bookand, I believe, the way that smart sensing will evolve. It certainly has held true