What is the Difference between the Motion Sensor, Position Sensor and Proximity SensorIn today’s world sensors became a part of life. In each application sensors are playing crucial role in every device. Life is done so with the sensors. Every sensor is different from others and has unique applications. Without any effort humans can operate the devices with the gestures and other devices. Sensors are very important organs of any measurement system. Here in this article out of many sensors we are using three sensors, i.e. the motion sensor can also be called as IR, position sensor is also called as ultrasonic and proximity sensor. Each of these sensors is discussed in detailed and their differences too.Difference between the Motion Sensor, Position Sensor and Proximity SensorThe difference between the motion sensor, position sensor and proximity sensor mainly include working principle, circuit diagram, advantages, disadvantages and applications Difference between the Motion Sensor, Position Sensor and Proximity SensorMotion sensorHere motion sensor is also called as an infrared sensor. It is an electronic device, which emits in order to sense some aspects which are happening in the surroundings. An IR sensor will not only measure the heat of an object, but also detects the motion. These sensors measure infrared radiation, rather than emitting it, so it is called as a passive IR sensor. Generally the infrared spectrum will radiate some form of thermal radiations which are invisible to our eyes and that can be detected by an infrared sensor.IR SensorIR SensorThe emitter is simply an IR Light Emitting Diode (LED) and the detector is an IR photodiode which will be sensitive to IR light that of the same wavelength as is emitted by the IR LED.IR Sensor Working PrincipleThe moment IR light falls on the photodiode these output voltages and the resistances, change in proportion to the magnitude of the IR light received.Position SensorThe position sensors play an important role in different systems. Whether it is, drive-by-wire cars, bullet trains taking round curves, fly-by-wire aircraft systems, packaging machines, medical equipments, injection molding machines and so on. The sensor which is used for measurement of pressure is called pressure sensor. Position SensorPIR Sensor Working PrincipleThese position sensors basically measure the distance travelled by the body by talking the starting point as a reference position. It is like how far the body moves from its initial or reference position is sensed by the position sensors and every time it is quite often that the output is given as a fed back to the control system which will take the appropriate action. The motion of the body can be curvilinear or rectilinear; accordingly, position sensors are called angular position sensors or linear position sensors.PIR Sensor Working PrincipleDifferent TypesResistance-based or Potentiometric Position sensorsCapacitive position sensorsLinear Voltage Differential TransformersMagnetostrictive Linear Position SensorEddy Current based position SensorHall Effect based Magnetic Position SensorsFiber-Optic Position SensorOptical Position SensorsProximity SensorProximity sensors basically detect the presence of objects without physical contact. A proximity sensor detects objects when the objects approach within the detection range and boundary of the sensor. Proximity sensors includes all sensors that perform non contact detection in compassion to sensors such as limit switch that detects the object by physically contacting them. Proximity sensors are used in various sides of manufacturing for detecting the approach of non-mental and metal objects. What is inductive proximity sensor? What is an Inductive Proximity Sensor?It is an electronic proximity sensor, which has a property of detecting the metallic objects without touching them. The principle involved in the inductive proximity sensor is that it is based on a coil and high frequency oscillator which creating a field in the closed surrounding of the sensing surface.Inductive Proximity SensorThe distance of operation of this sensor depends on the coil’s size and the target’s shape, material and size.Inductive Proximity SensorConstruction and workingThe main components areOscillatorDetectorCoilOutput CircuitThe coil generates the very high frequency magnetic field in front of the face, when the metallic target comes in this magnetic field and it absorbs some of the energy. From this oscillator field is affected. The fall or raises of such oscillation are defined by a threshold circuit. It changes the output of the sensor.Inductive Proximity Sensor Working PrincipleAdvantagesInductive proximity sensors are very accurate when compared with other technologies.It will work in the very harsh environment.Having very high switching rate.The sensing range is more than 6 cm.DisadvantagesIt has a limit of operating range.It will only detect the metallic target.ApplicationsIt detects the metalDetects host of automated industrial processesNoNoSSMotion sensorPosition sensorProximity sensor1The motion sensor is also called as the IR sensorPosition sensor is also called Passive IR sensorThe proximity sensor is called by many different names2Figure3Different types of sensors1. Active infrared sensor· Reflectance Sensors· Break Beam Sensors2. Passive Infrared sensor· Thermocouple-Thermopile· Extrinsic type· Intrinsic type1. Photovoltaic2. Photoconductive· Pyroelectric detector· Bolometer· Vibration· Area Reflective Type· Microwave· Ultrasonic· Dual Technology Motion Sensors· Capacitive displacement sensor· Laser ranger finder· Photocell· Radar· Sonar· Reflecting of ionizing radiation · Capacitive.· Magnetic.· Doppler effect· Eddy-current· Capacitive displacement sensor.· Laser .rangefinder.· Passive optical· Inductive. 4ApplicationsLighting appliancesSECURITY· Thermography· Night vision· Communications· Hyperspectral imaging· Tracking· Heating· Other imaging· Climatology· Meteorology· Spectroscopy· Health hazard· Astronomy· Infrared cleaning· Thin film metrology· Photobiomodulation· Art conservation and analysis· Biological systemsHousehold or other appliances · Television sets· VCRs· DVD· Doorways in grocery stores, grocery stores· Military purposes such as laser range-finding, heat-seeking missiles and night vision· Position Measurement· Air Gauging· Detecting Dynamic Motion· Touch pads· Speeding· Assembly Testing· Speeding· Ground Proximity Warning System· Speeding· Differential Systems The difference between the motion sensor, position sensor and proximity sensor are explained in the article and hoping that the basic function of these three sensors is understood well i.e. basic circuit diagram, working principle, advantages, disadvantages, applications. If there is any such thing which is not clear yet or to implement sensor based projects, feel free to ask about any of these sensors. Here is a question for you, What is the function of a sensor? Photo Credits:Motion sensor sproboticworksIR Sensor Working cluster006Position SensorblogspotProximity sensornskelectronicsProximity Sensor Working Principle katlax Share This Post: Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Post navigation ‹ Previous Tuned Collector Oscillator Circuit Working And ApplicationNext › Difference Between Impatt Diode and Trapatt Diode and Baritt Diode Related Content What is a Carey Foster Bridge & Its Working What is a Discharge Lamp : Design & Its Working What is an Inductive Reactance : Definition, Unit and Formula What is Eddy Current Dynamometer : Construction & Its WorkingAdd Comment Cancel replyComment:Name * Email * Website