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Position/Presence/Proximity

In-depth technical articles that cover the various types of position, presence, and proximity sensors, including their principles of operation, technology comparisons, and real-world applications


Article
Pressure-Resistant Proxes: New Generation Proximity Switches For Hydraulic Applications   April 1, 2007

A new generation of inductive proximity sensors are engineered to withstand the high pressures now common in fluid power applications.More>>

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A Machine That Watches   December 1, 2006

During an automated manufacturing process, the product typically moves along a production line at either constant or variable speeds. The first task of optoelectronic inspection is to discard that motion. For example, machine vision systems use triggers and shutters and photoelectric sensors use...More>>

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Understanding Integrated Hall Effect Rotary Encoders   November 1, 2006

Linear Hall sensors generate a DC output voltage proportional to the strength of an applied magnetic field and can be used for high-resolution angle sensors when placed near a diametrically magnetized magnet. The rotating magnet generates a sinusoidal waveform, one full wave per revolution. This...More>>

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Playing the E-Field: Capacitance Sensors in Action   September 1, 2006

When Michael Faraday introduced the concept of an electric field, little did he realize how far science would run with the idea. Today, engineers are using electric fields to sense the presence of other objects without relying on physical contact. Referred to as e-field sensors or capacitance...More>>

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One-Chip Linear Position Measurement with Hall Sensors   August 1, 2006

Logging linear movement can be a complicated and expensive business. A variety of measuring systems can be used, depending on the accuracy required and distance to be measured. The simplest of these is the sliding potentiometer, which supplies a variable resistance proportional to the distance of...More>>

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Materials Innovations May Challenge Noncontact-Sensor Growth   July 1, 2006

The development of active, noncontact sensors based on Hall effect, magnetoresistive, and variable-reluctance transformer technologies is penetrating the established market of passive, contact sensors-and increasingly taking market share for automotive speed and position applications, says market...More>>

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360 Degree Rotary Position Sensing with Novel Hall Effect Sensors   March 1, 2006

Adding an integrated magnetic concentrator to Hall effect sensors enables high-accuracy 360? rotary position sensing. The Triaxis Hall technology, based on integrated magnetic concentrators (IMCs), enables the development of small, cost-effective, high-accuracy, noncontact rotary position sensors....More>>

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Tracking Wafers With RFID   February 1, 2006

Linking RFID with production tools in one of its semiconductor wafer fabrication plants allows IBM to track the production of each wafer, for more efficient fabrication and improved factory scheduling.More>>

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Increase Operational Visibility by Integrating Sensor Data with Enterprise Appplications   December 1, 2005

New software tools now make it possible to integrate sensor technology with an overall information framework. This eliminates worries about integration headaches or cumbersome architecture revisions.More>>

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Trick or Treat!?Seasonal Sensing   October 1, 2005

A PIR sensor can tell you when to reach for the candy bowl.More>>