3.2.3 | SENSORS

Topics from the Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Computer Science 0984 syllabus 2023 - 2025.

OBJECTIVES
3.2.3(a)Understand what is meant by a sensor and the purposes of sensors

Including:
– acoustic
– accelerometer
– flow
– gas
​– humidity
– infra-red
– level
– light
– magnetic field

– moisture
– pH
– pressure
– proximity
– temperature

ALSO IN THIS TOPIC
3.1.1 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE 
3.1.2 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE 
​3.1.3 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE 
​3.1.4 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE 
3.1.5 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE 
​3.2.1 INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES 
 ​3.2.2 INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES 
YOU ARE HERE | 3.2.3 INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES
3.3 DATA STORAGE 
3.4 NETWORK HARDWARE 
REVISION CARDS
TOPIC 3 KEY TERMINOLOGY
TOPIC 3 ANSWERS
TOPIC 3 TEACHER RESOURCES
TOPIC 1 TEACHER RESOURCES (CIE)

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​A sensor is a device that converts a physical or chemical change into an electrical signal. Sensors are used to measure various types of physical and environmental parameters and provide this information to a system or device for monitoring, control, or other purposes.

• Acoustic sensor: Acoustic sensors capture data on sound, including frequency and amplitude. They can be used in a variety of applications such as measuring noise levels, detecting ultrasonic sound, and other applications. They can be used in industrial and environmental monitoring, speech recognition, medical diagnosis and many other fields.
• Accelerometer: Accelerometers capture data on acceleration or tilt. They can be used in mobile devices, automobiles, and other applications where monitoring of motion or vibration is required. They can be used in sports, health monitoring, and other fields that require measurement of motion and acceleration.
• Flow sensor: Flow sensors capture data on the flow rate of a liquid or gas. They are commonly used in industrial, medical and environmental systems to measure the flow rate of fluids. They can be used in water treatment, in manufacturing and industrial processes, in medical devices, and in many other applications.
• Gas sensor: Gas sensors capture data on the concentration of gases. They can be used for detecting toxic gases, measuring air quality, and other applications. They can be used in industrial, environmental, and safety monitoring, as well as in medical applications.
• Humidity sensor: Humidity sensors capture data on the moisture content of the air. They are commonly used in weather stations, HVAC systems, and other applications where monitoring of relative humidity is required. They can be used in agriculture, meteorology, HVAC systems, and other fields.
• Infrared sensor: Infrared sensors capture data on infrared radiation. They are commonly used in motion detectors, remote controls, and other applications where sensing of objects and movement is required. They can be used in navigation systems, medical devices, and other fields.
• Level sensor: Level sensors capture data on the level of a liquid or solid in a container. They are commonly used in tanks, reservoirs, and other applications where monitoring of the level of fluid is required. They can be used in industrial processes, in manufacturing, and in many other applications.
• Light sensor: Light sensors capture data on light, including intensity and color. They are commonly used in cameras, mobile devices, and other applications where monitoring of light level is required. They can be used in photography, in lighting, and in many other applications.
• Magnetic field sensor: Magnetic field sensors capture data on the strength and direction of a magnetic field. They are commonly used in navigation systems, electric motors, and other applications where monitoring of magnetic fields is required. They can be used in navigation, in robotics, and in many other fields.
• Moisture sensor: Moisture sensors capture data on the presence or absence of moisture. They are commonly used in agriculture, construction, and other applications where monitoring of moisture levels is required. They can be used in agriculture, construction, and in many other fields.
• pH sensor: pH sensors capture data on the acidity or basicity of a liquid. They are commonly used in water treatment, agriculture, and other applications where monitoring of pH levels is required. They can be used in water treatment, in agriculture, and in many other applications.
• Pressure sensor: Pressure sensors capture data on the force exerted on a surface. They can be used for measuring pressure in gases, liquids and also for force sensing applications. They can be used in industrial processes, in manufacturing, and in many other applications.
• Proximity sensor: Proximity sensors capture data on the presence of nearby objects without physical contact. They are commonly used in mobile devices, robots, and other applications where sensing of proximity is required. They can be used in robots, in mobile devices, and in many other fields.
  
  You should be able to discuss a range of sensors and their purpose, an example of depth of discussion is given with a temperature sensor below.
  
  Temperature sensors are devices that measure the temperature of an object or the environment. They convert the temperature into an electrical signal that can be read by a computer or other electronic device. The type of data captured by temperature sensors is the temperature in degree Celsius or Fahrenheit.
  Temperature sensors can be used in a variety of different contexts, such as:
• In a classroom, to measure the temperature of the room and ensure it is comfortable for students and teachers.
• In a refrigerator, to measure the temperature inside and ensure that food is kept at the correct temperature.
• When selecting the most suitable sensor for a given context, it's important to consider the range of temperatures that will be measured, the accuracy required, the type of environment in which the sensor will be used and any other requirements specific to the application.
• In a car engine, to measure the temperature of the engine and prevent overheating.
• In a weather station, to measure the temperature of the air outside.

ALSO IN THIS TOPIC

3.1.1 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE | The role of the CPU
3.1.2 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE | Components of the CPU
3.1.3 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE | Core's, Cache and Clock speed
3.1.4 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE(CIE) | The Instruction Set
3.1.5 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE | Embedded Systems
3.2.1 INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES | Input Devices
3.2.2 INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES | Output Devices
3.2.3 INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES | Sensors
3.3 DATA STORAGE | Primary, Secondary, Virtual and Cloud storage
3.4 NETWORK HARDWARE | Networks, Components and Protocols
REVISION CARDS | Flip cards to help test yourself
TOPIC 3 KEY TERMINOLOGY
TOPIC 3 ANSWERS
TOPIC 3 TEACHER RESOURCES