Transducer

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A transducer is a device that converts energy from one form to another. Usually a transducer converts a signal in one form of energy to a signal in another. [1] Transducers are often employed at the boundaries of automation, measurement, and control systems, where electrical signals are converted to and from other physical quantities (energy, force, torque, light, motion, position, etc.). The process of converting one form of energy to another is known as transduction. [2]

Contents

Types

Mechanical transducer Mechanical transducer. - DPLA - cfb11a91bbe9ab7384f897fb55faf74c (page 4).jpg
Mechanical transducer

Sensors, actuators and transceivers

Transducers can be categorized by which direction information passes through them:

Active vs passive transducers

Passive transducers require an external power source to operate, which is called an excitation signal. The signal is modulated by the sensor to produce an output signal. For example, a thermistor does not generate any electrical signal, but by passing an electric current through it, its resistance can be measured by detecting variations in the current or voltage across the thermistor. [5] [2]

Active transducers in contrast, generate electric current in response to an external stimulus which serves as the output signal without the need of an additional energy source. Such examples are a photodiode, and a piezoelectric sensor, photovoltic, thermocouple. [5]

Characteristics

Some specifications that are used to rate transducers:

Applications

Transducers are used in electronic communications systems to convert signals of various physical forms to electronic signals, and vice versa. In this example, the first transducer could be a microphone, and the second transducer could be a speaker. Signal processing system.png
Transducers are used in electronic communications systems to convert signals of various physical forms to electronic signals, and vice versa. In this example, the first transducer could be a microphone, and the second transducer could be a speaker.

Electromagnetic

Electrochemical

Electromechanical

Electromechanical input feeds meters and sensors, while electromechanical output devices are generically called actuators ):

Electroacoustic

Electro-optical

Also known as photoelectric:

Electrostatic

Thermoelectric

Radioacoustic

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loudspeaker</span> Converts an electrical audio signal into a corresponding sound

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microphone</span> Device that converts sound into an electrical signal

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References

  1. Agarwal, Anant; Lang, Jeffrey H. (2005). Foundations of analog and digital electronic circuits. Amsterdam: Elsevier. p. 43. ISBN   9780080506814.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Winer, Ethan (2013). "Part 3". Plasma Speaker. New York and London: Focal Press. ISBN   978-0-240-82100-9.
  3. Fraden J. (2016). Handbook of Modern Sensors: Physics, Designs, and Applications 5th ed. Springer. p.1
  4. Kalantar-zadeh, K. (2013). Sensors: An Introductory Course 2013th Edition. Springer. p.1
  5. 1 2 Fraden J. (2016). Handbook of Modern Sensors: Physics, Designs, and Applications 5th ed. Springer. p.7