Sensors and Sensor Measurement Techniques I Description of ...

Sensors and Sensor Measurement Techniques I
Description of Contents
The need for sensors is steadily increasing in modern technologies. Manifold sensor
applications are found in the fields of environmental technology, production
engineering, automotive industry, and medical technology.
The lecture focuses on theoretical fundamentals, working principles, and applications
of the relevant sensor classes. Based on dedicated examples, some state-of-the-art
topics are emphasized. Selected concepts of circuit technology, e.g. the concept of
charge amplifiers, phase-sensitive rectification, and the lock-in analyzer technique
are used as examples to give an introduction into the sensor measurement
techniques and signal processing.
The schedule includes 13 dates each of 90 minutes lecture followed by 45 minutes
exercise corresponding to 5 ECTS credits which are attained if the final examination
is passed. The language is German.
Syllabus
Chapter 1: Sensors as system components
• Sensor characteristics (nonlinearities, hysteresis, cross sensitivity)
• Transfer characteristics, sensor response
Chapter 2: Temperature sensors
• Thermoelectric sensors, thermocouples
• Resistive sensors, semiconductor theory,
pn-transitions, grain boundaries, thermistors
• Quartz crystal sensor
• Pyroelectric detectors, thermodynamics and theory,
application in “infrared eyes”
Chapter 3: Force and pressure sensors
• Piezo-resistive sensors, resistive strain gages
• Piezoelectric sensors, theory of ferroelectrics
• Capacitive, inductive and optical methods
• Tactile sensors, touch screens, fingerprint sensors

Chapter 4: Magnetic field sensors
• Geometrical magnetoresistance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, AMR
sensors
• Fluxgate sensor, phase-sensitive detection, lock-in amplifier
• SQUIDs (superconducting quantum-interference devices)
Chapter 5: Optical sensors
• Photonic counters, light dependent resistors (LDRs), photo diodes;
semiconductor physics
• Charge accumulation and charge transfer elements, charge coupled
devices (CCDs)
• Time-of-flight principle
Chapter 6: Chemical sensors
• Resistive chemical sensors, sensors based on lattice defects,
calorimetric sensors; thermodynamics and kinetics of lattice disorder
and solid electrolyts
• Electrochemical sensors and applications
• ISFETs (ion sensitive field effect transistors)
• Introduction into SAW/BAW sensors
• “Electronic” noses with extremely high selectivity
• Sensor arrays, “smart” sensors, adaptive concepts
Exercises
The supplemental exercises provide a basis to deepen and apply the subject matter,
and prepare for the examination.
Given tasks address the following topics:
Use of oscillators in sensor measurement techniques, application examples of
operational amplifiers, linearization of sensor characteristics, temperature sensor
KTY 83, NTC temperature sensors, physical working principles of PTC thermistors,
dimensioning of PTC-thermistors as overload protection, transfer characteristics of
pyroelectric detectors, piezoelectric igniter, piezoelectric sensor, piezo-resistive strain
gauges and Wheatstone bridges, principles of Permalloy AMR sensors, magnetic
field sensor KMZ 10, lock-in amplifier, photometer, light dependent resistor (LDR),
PIN-photodiode, time-of-flight sensor, CCDs, defect chemistry of SrTiO3, use of
electronic ceramics as oxygen sensors.
Solutions of the tasks are presented and answers to additional multiple choice
problems are discussed.