Toolbox

Small Pressure Sensor

Bosch Sensortec, Reutlingen, Germany, offers the SMD500 micromachined pressure sensor designed for consumer electronics. The piezoresistive sensor has a monocrystalline membrane and is supplied in a ceramic housing in a 5 3 5 3 1.6 mm LCC package. It is manufactured using advanced porous silicon membrane technology, resulting in a smaller size than conventional bulk micromachined sensors. Features include 3 μA avg. power consumption, high accuracy and linearity, and an I2 C interface. (+49 7121-3535-900, www.bosch-sensortec.com)



Magnetostrictive Position Sensors

Series PCST25 POSICHRON position sensors from ASM Sensors Inc., Elmhurst, IL, are magnetostrictive devices designed for use in mobile hydraulics applications, such as off-road construction equipment. The absolute, contact-free position sensors supply either a 0–10 V or 4–20 mA output for integration of the hydraulic control systems. Measurement ranges are up to 5750 mm with linearity up to 0.02%. Sensors have up to an IP68 rating and resist shock and vibrations. (630-832-3202, [email protected] , www.asmsensors.com)



CCD-Based Spectrometer

Laser Components IG Inc., Hudson, NH, is distributing m-u-t's TRISTAN Series spectrometers for research and OEM markets. The spectrometers are based on the back-thinned 2048-pixel CCD sensor Hamamatsu S9840 for increased sensitivity in the range of 200–400 nm and 800–1100 nm. The spectrometers have a 5000:1 dynamic range and 1.15% SNR and are offered in 3 preconfigured optical setups from 200–1100 nm at resolutions from 0.5 nm to 1.2 nm. (603-821-7040, www.lasercomponents.com)



Wireless Network Manager

The SmartMesh-XT PM1230 embedded manager from Dust Networks, Hayward, CA, works with M1030 wireless motes to create a self-configuring, reliable, wireless mesh network. The PM1230 purpose-built SBC provides configuration, management, and gateway functions for a network of M1030 motes. It includes a 900 MHz wireless transceiver, processor and memory, and embedded networking software; and interfaces to host systems. It runs advanced algorithms to continuously optimize network performance and reliability in response to changing RF and environmental conditions. (866-289-3878, [email protected] , www.dustnetworks.com)



Load Sensors

CS Series capacitive load sensors from Loadstar Sensors Inc., Mountain View, CA, are small, thin, rugged, and have built-in signal conditioning electronics. The sensors accept a 5 VDC input and output an analog 0–5 VDC signal proportional to the applied load. The F.S. output range is typically 2000 mV with 1% F.S. output combined accuracy, 20 ms response time, and 40 mV/lb. typical sensitivity. (650-938-4282, [email protected] , www.loadstarsensors.com)



Triaxial Accelerometer

The SMB365 from Bosch Sensortec, Reutlingen, Germany, is a triaxial MEMS accelerometer designed for consumer electronics applications. The sensor is 4 3 4 3 1.2 mm, draws 600 μA and 5 μA in standby mode. Features include nonlinearity and low signal coupling between the different axes, an integrated self-testing function, and communication via a digital interface. An interrupt feature offers advantages for applications such as battery saving modes or free-fall detection. (+49-7121-3535-900, www.bosch-sensortec.com)



Dew Point Monitor

The RHB-CAC1S2 from Omega Engineering Inc., Stamford, CT, is a NIST-traceable, compressed-air dew point monitor that uses a chilled-mirror sensor. The ruggedized aluminum NEMA 12, IP55-rated enclosure houses the sensor and control circuitry and can be wall mounted. Programmable automatic balance control cycle corrects for light-reducing effects of mirror contaminates. Dew/frost point range is –40°C to 50°C (2-stage) and –75°C to 50°C (3-stage) with dew/frost point accuracy of 0.20°C. (888-826-6342, [email protected] , www.omega.com)



IR Natural Gas Sensor

PerkinElmer Optoelectronics, Fremont, CA, offers its dual-channel IR natural gas sensor as part of its GasDetect IR family. The NDIR sensor combines a robust IR source with a reliable pyroelectric dual-channel detector and is RoHS- and EN 50 194-compliant. It triggers at 12% LEL, below the EN 50 194 standard's LEL of 20% max. (800-775-6786, [email protected] , www.perkinelmer.com)



Temperature Sensor

The Model DF01 from Precision Linear Systems Inc., Cupertino, CA, combines a rugged solid-state temperature sensor and a 4–20 mA transmitter manufactured on the same flexible circuit substrate and connected by traces on the flex. The sensor can then be inserted and sealed into a sensor tube. A DIN Form B compliant hockey-puck case holds the transmitter and output terminals and can be mounted in standard connection heads. System accuracy is ±0.3°C, ±0.5°C, or ±0.8°C, depending on the sensor's fixed temperature range. (408-716-8298, www.precisionlinearsystems.com)



MEMS Gyroscope

The VSG-4 MEMS vibrating-structure gyroscope from Silicon Sensing Systems Ltd., Plymouth, U.K., uses a tiny vibrating silicon ring to detect angular velocity through the Coriolis effect. The sensor's digital closed-loop control of ring vibration amplitude and frequency results in improved integrity, accuracy, and reliability. An evaluation board is available, which integrates the gyro with a 2-axis accelerometer. Sensors are intended for use in yaw rate sensing in vehicle stability control systems, among other applications. (+44-1752-723330, www.siliconsensing.com)



Real-Time USB DA Module

Data Translation Inc, Marlboro, MA, offers the DT9841-VIB, a real-time DSP DA Sleek Box that can accept 8 simultaneous IEPE sensor inputs. The USB module has a built-in DSP and provides excitation, signal conditioning, and anti-aliasing filtering. It contains 8 simultaneous 24-bit ΔΣ analog input channels with a 100 kHz/channel sampling rate; two 24-bit deglitched waveform analog outputs; 16 digital I/O; and 32-bit counter/timers. All subsystems can be run simultaneously and monitored in real-time. (800-525-8528, [email protected] , www.atatranslation.com)



High-Accuracy Angle Encoders

Heidenhain Corp., Schaumburg, IL, has expanded its range of ERA 4000 angle encoders to include the ERA 4x80, ERA 4x81, and the ERA 4x82, available in 7 diameters, from 52.65–331.31 mm o.d. and grating periods of 20, 40, or 80 μm. The ERA 4x80 offers system accuracies from ±6.1 arc seconds to ±2.8 arc seconds. The ERA 4x81 weight-reduced T-profile version offers system accuracies of ±8.6 arc seconds to ±2.8 arc seconds. The ERA 4x82 offers system accuracies from ±5.1 arc seconds to ±2 arc seconds. (847-490-1191, [email protected] , www.heidenhain.com)



Pressure Sensor

Kavlico Corp., Moorpark, CA, offers the P6000 pressure sensor for dry media medical applications, such as respirators, oxygen concentrators, and CPAP equipment. The <3 cm long sensor is available in gauge or absolute pressure ranges from 2.5–100 psi and provides a fully calibrated, temperature-compensated 0.5–4.5 V linear output proportional to pressure. There are 3 mounting configurations (flying leads, mini 4-pin connector, or lead wires). (805-523-2000, [email protected] , www.kavlico.com)



Ethernet Position Sensor

The R Series EtherCAT sensor from MTS Systems Corp., Sensors Div., Cary, NC, is a position sensor with industrial Ethernet-based communications for high-speed data transfer between the plant floor and office. The sensor can also synchronize to accurate clock signals for high-speed deterministic control. The sensor is available with 1–5 position magnets and can be customized to document position, velocity, acceleration, and customer-specific smart functionality. Position resolution is 1 μm. (919-677-2314, [email protected], www.mtssensors.com)



Ultrasonic Level Sensors

USR Series ultrasonic level sensors from Madison Co., Branford, CT, are for short-range level measurement in process and industrial applications. There are five models, each with a factory-set sensing range. Microprocessor-based circuits provide a temperature-compensated signal. You can get the sensors with a USR level controller, which is programmable for up to 2 sensors and provides an integrated user-programmable display and alarm. (800-466-5383, [email protected] , www.madisonco.com)



Safety Laser Scanners

SICK Inc., Minneapolis, MN, offers the S3000 short-range safety laser scanner and S3000 Professional CMS safety laser scanner for safety and mobile vehicle applications, respectively. The S3000 short-range offers a 4 m safety field and a warning field radius of up to 49 m. Scanning range is 190°. The S3000 Professional CMS (contour measurement and safety) scanner adds reflector mark detection up to 30 m, event-driven contour measurement data output up to 49 m, and the functionality of the S3000 Professional scanner. (800-325-7425, [email protected], www.sickusa.com)