With cutting-edge technology, wireless proximity sensors are taking our digital world by storm. These Internet of Things devices are at the forefront of a revolution in automation technology and are used across the healthcare, automotive, industrial, and smartphone markets.
Read on to learn how these wireless proximity sensors work, their various types, and how and where to utilize them.
What Are Wireless Proximity Sensors?
Wireless proximity sensors obtain sensory information and detect changes in their fields. They can then produce output in the form of electrical signals for processing. While their standard application is to detect how far away an object is, they can also measure air configuration and temperature, liquid leakage, lighting levels, and motion.
Powered by wireless sensor technology, these IoT devices can form a wireless network that can monitor environmental conditions and exchange information independently. As a result, businesses such as retailers can automate many processes and improve in-store experiences, security, and efficiency.
Below are the various types of proximity sensors, how they work, and the sensor-suitable applications that showcase their versatility.
How Do Wireless Proximity Sensors Work?
A proximity sensor detects the presence of a "target" when it enters the sensor field. Many proximity sensors are contactless and use light, infrared radiation, or electromagnetic fields to detect any difference in the area and return the signal to determine the object's distance. Touch-based tactile sensors offer information about things they contact.
Different Types of Proximity Sensors
Proximity sensors come in all shapes and sizes, from motion detectors and air quality monitors to biomedical advancement tools. The different types of wireless proximity sensors include inductive, optical, tactile, external, ultrasonic, two-wire dry contact, etc. Here are a variety of sensors and their standard applications.
Wireless Sensors
Wireless proximity and party sensors use mesh networking architecture to offer an incredible range.
And don't fret about the battery status, either. Since they don't do heavy data processing locally, they are exceedingly power-efficient and can last for years on a single battery. Also, the light data load means they are suitable for low-speed neural networks.
Inductive Sensors
Inductive sensors utilize an electromagnetic field to detect metal targets. Upon entering the electromagnetic field, the metal target changes the field's properties and alerts the proximity sensor.
These contactless sensors can detect a target at a greater or shorter distance depending on how inductive the metal is. In an unshielded inductive sensor, the electromagnetic field generated is unrestricted, allowing for broader and greater sensing distances. The shielded sensor's electromagnetic field is concentrated in the front.
They make for effective industrial wireless proximity sensors. Production automation machines that count products (for product transfer machinery and detecting metal objects, land mines, etc.) and many security devices use inductive sensors.
Optical Sensors
Optical sensors measure units of light and translate them into a readable electronic signal. They are versatile and can measure temperature, pressure, velocity, liquid level, vibrations, displacement, force radiation, pH value, chemical species, acoustic and electric fields, etc. They are used for contactless detection, counting, or part positioning.
Common optical sensor devices include:
Computers
Printers
Photocopy machines
Automatic lights
Alarm systems
Motion detectors
Tactile Sensors
Tactile sensors calculate touch interaction based on physical contact with the environment. In other words, it's a touch sensor that gives information about an object it touches. It can measure the object's shape, size, temperature, and type, along with other mechanical stimulations. They act as a switch, activating upon contact, pressure, or force and closing when the contact is released.
Readily available and inexpensive, tactile sensors are most commonly used in touch-screen mobile phones, music players, and automobiles. They are also used in household appliances, ATMs, medical devices, communication, navigational devices, light switches, and automatic controls for doors.
Since they can accurately detect the contact or proximity of a user, tactile sensors are increasingly replacing mechanical buttons and switches. Not only do they eliminate the wear and tear that comes with mechanical switches, but the touch-screen capabilities can also be configured in intuitive interfaces.
External Sensors
External sensors obtain information in the surrounding environment without delay times and with high precision. These external sensors come in the form of cameras for viewing the environment, range sensors, contact and proximity, and force sensors. One example is wireless proximity sensors for cars.
Ultrasonic Level Sensors
Ultrasonic sensors convert electrical energy and emit high-frequency ultrasonic ranges to detect the presence of objects in solid, liquid, or granular form.
They are commonly used to measure distance, detect fluid, and in automation production processes. They are also used in anemometers to detect wind speed and direction and unmanned aerial vehicles for object monitoring. Due to contactless detection, ultrasonic sensors perform well in extreme conditions and dark environments. However, they can't accurately detect soft or heavily-textured objects.
The ultrasonic signal is also utilized in self-parking technology, anti-collision systems, manufacturing, and obstacle detection.
Two-Wire Dry Contact Sensors
These sensors detect a connection between two wires. Two-wire dry contact sensors can also act as a bridge device between secure storage and the various sensors mentioned above. They can come in a weatherproof enclosure for outdoor and industrial use. Smart versions are also available for low-cost indoor applications.
A two-wire dry contact sensor's excellent range can cover several miles and offers impressive penetration through walls and floors.
Find Your Sensor-Suitable Wireless Proximity Sensor
Whether used in your household or business, wireless proximity sensors enhance security and functionality. For example, a perfect double-size tactile sensor will save you headaches and money from mechanical wear and tear, and an effective external sensor is suitable if security is your priority. Inductive sensors monitor and signal any changes in the electromagnetic field and are ideal for product transfer machinery, while the evolution in optical sensor technology has optical sensors perfect for biomedical applications.
When looking for your next IoT device, you must use a name you can trust. Novotech is a leading Internet of Things hardware and services distributor in North America with more than 20 years of experience. We also provide top-tier devices for your household needs, such as the autonomous Blue PUCK PROXIR that can detect the presence of objects up to 100 cm maximum, depending on the object's reflection and ambient light. Check our range of products and reach out to our team for more information.