Intelligent sensor

A smart sensor (also smart sensor or intelligent sensor, Eng. Smart sensor) is a sensor, which combines not only the actual measured values, the complete signal conditioning and signal processing in a case.

Such complex sensors usually include, inter alia, a microprocessor or microcontroller, if necessary, additionally the like equipped with DSP functionality and complex logic devices such as FPGAs, ... and provide standardized interfaces for communication with superior systems available, eg via fieldbus systems, sensor networks or .... Because they were " intelligence" have, these sensors are referred to as smart. In this way, the complete demanding tasks such sensors to be without an external computer met and there are good reasons, such as miniaturization, decentralization, increasing reliability, reducing costs, improving flexibility.

The technological basis that such complex intelligent sensors can be realized at all in miniature form, provide, inter alia, micro technology, microsystems technology and nanotechnology.

Smart sensors can be equipped with different interfaces, wired, non-contact optical and inductive coupling or pipe via passive and active radio technology, so among other things: I ² C, LIN, Ethernet, Profibus, USB, FireWire, CAN, CANopen, MOST bus, LON, RFID, Bluetooth, WPAN, GSM, UMTS, ....

A smart image recognition sensor as an example

Conventional non smart image recognition sensors (pure camera optics and mechanics with CCD or CMOS sensor) detect only the picture and send these raw analog or digitized at a suitably equipped with appropriate interface computer for further image processing such as edge extraction and other classifications, .. .. Only in the external remote computer is decided by pattern recognition and other image recognition steps, eg whether the inspected pattern meets the requirements or rejected. In contrast, in a smart image recognition sensor alone is sufficient in addition to the pure camera function integrated computer technology ( hardware and software) to evaluate the detected object is completely based on the required properties in real time immediately on the spot and put the result as processed for disposal. See smart camera.