Sensors and Sensing

JMU

Sensors and Sensing
An Introduction

Prof. David Bernstein
James Madison University

Computer Science Department

bernstdh@jmu.edu

Definitions

Sensor:
- A component which detects or measures one or more properties of its environment
Physical Sensor:
- Physical device (often electronic and/or mechanical) that measures properties of its physical environment

Definitions (cont.)

Sensitivity:
- A measure of the change of sensors output from a change in the inputs (i.e., a change in the environment)
Resolution:
- The smallest amount/size of the property that can be measured

Desirable Properties

Sensitivity/Insensitivity:
- Sensitive to the property being measured and insensitive to other properties
Uninfluential:
- Does not influence the property being measured

Spatial and Temporal Characteristics

Point in Space, Point in Time:
- Measure the property at a single location at a single point in time
Point in Space, Interval of Time:
- Measure the property at a single location for an entire interval of time
Length/Area/Volume of Space, Point in Time:
- Measure the property at multiple points at a single point int time
Length/Area/Volume of Space, Interval of Time:
- Measure the property at multiple points for an entire interval of time