Keywords
Citation
Rigelsford, J. (2001), "Understanding Smart Sensors, 2nd ed.", Sensor Review, Vol. 21 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2001.08721aae.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Understanding Smart Sensors, 2nd ed.
Understanding Smart Sensors, 2nd ed.
R. FrankArtech House2000389 pp.ISBN 0-89006-311-7£58.00 (hardback)
Keyword: Smart sensors
Understanding Smart Sensors is a superbly written book that address almost every aspect of smart sensors. This comprehensive text also includes many relevant pictures and diagrams which help to make it suitable for readers from a variety of disciplines and technical ability.
The book starts by introducing the basic principles and technologies of smart sensors. This is followed by chapters addressing micro-machining, and the nature of semiconductor sensor output, respectively. Chapters 4 and 5 discuss micro-controller units (MCUs) and sensors. They address getting sensor information into the MCU, and using MCUs/DSPs to increase sensor IQ, respectively.
Chapter 6, "Communications for smart sensors", covers a variety of protocols and standards which are currently used by smart sensors. These include SAEJ1850, the CAN and LonTalk™ protocols, and the CEBus. Different control techniques are discussed in chapter 8.
Chapter 9, "MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) beyond sensors", discusses micro-machined actuators; micro-valves, pumps, motors, steam engines, grippers, and probes, and not to mention a nano-guitar.
The following two chapters address packaging, testing and reliability implications of smarter sensors, and mechatronics and sensing systems, respectively. Chapter 12, "Standards for smart sensing", focuses on the definition, functionality and communications standards for smart sensors. The implications of smart sensor standards are discussed in chapter 13.
The final chapter, "Understanding smart sensors", discusses the next phase of sensing systems and addresses the possible requirements and capabilities of smart sensors in the near future.
Jon Rigelsford