Latest Environmental Sensors Technical Articles

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RTD Signal Conditioning—Voltage vs Current Excitation in 3-wire Configurations

Learn about resistance temperature detector (RTD) signal conditioning techniques such as voltage vs. current excitation and the three-wire configuration for dealing with the lead and wire resistance error.

November 11, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

An Introduction to RTD Sensor Signal Conditioning Circuits

Learn about the basics of different signal conditioning circuits for RTD applications, including a voltage divider, Wheatstone bridge circuit, and delta-sigma (ΔΣ) converter.

October 30, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Modeling RTD Resistance-temperature Characteristics

Model the characteristic curve of a resistance temperature detector (RTD) and the common standards used to characterize these devices like the alpha parameter and Callendar-Van Dusen equation.

October 23, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

RTD Basics—An Introduction to Resistance Temperature Detectors

Learn the basics of RTDs, namely the trade-offs of using RTD temperature sensors, the metals used in these sensors, thin film RTDs, and wire-wound RTDs.

October 09, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Introduction to Temperature Sensors: Thermistors, Thermocouples, RTDs, and Thermometer ICs

Learn about different temperature sensors, namely: thermistors, thermocouples, RTDs (resistive temperature detectors), analog thermometer ICs and digital thermometer ICs.

September 16, 2022 by Nick Davis

Piezoelectric Accelerometers: IEPE Sensors vs. Charge Output Sensors

Learn about integrated electronics piezoelectrics (IEPE) sensors, powering them, and how they compare to charge output (non-IEPE) systems.

June 26, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Hall Effect Current Sensing: Open-Loop and Closed-Loop Configurations

Learn the basics of Hall effect current sensors in this technical article.

July 25, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

Two Techniques to Linearize Resistive Sensor Bridges

Measuring the minuscule resistance changes in resistive sensors can be a daunting task. Here are two hardware methods to eliminate bridge non-linearity errors.

May 02, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

Characteristics of Different Photodiode Technologies

Learn about the differences between silicon photodiodes and photodiodes made from other semiconductor materials.

December 21, 2020 by Robert Keim

How to Measure Gas Flow in a Mechanical Ventilator Using a Differential Pressure Sensor

In this article, we’ll look at another interesting application of pressure sensing in mechanical ventilation.

July 08, 2020 by Dr. Steve Arar

Dark Noise in CCD Image Sensors

This article introduces the concept of image noise and discusses one noise source that plays a prominent role in the design of CCD systems.

May 21, 2020 by Robert Keim

Using Pressure Sensors to Adjust the Oxygen Concentration: An Electrical Engineer’s Intro to Mechanical Ventilation

In this article, we’ll look at additional applications of pressure sensors in mechanical ventilation.

May 08, 2020 by Dr. Steve Arar

An Engineer’s Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation

Learn about the basics of mechanical ventilation in terms of subsystems, control loops, and algorithms.

April 12, 2020 by Dr. Steve Arar

Introduction to Image Sensor Technology, from Photons to Electrons

This article, the first in a series, discusses light-sensitive electronic devices called photodiodes and compares CCD and CMOS sensors.

March 23, 2020 by Robert Keim

Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) Structure, Characteristics, and Applications

Learn about the structure, characteristics, and applications of a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM).

November 21, 2019 by Amos Kingatua

How to Build an Analog Sensor and Analog Output Using Microchip’s RN487x Bluetooth Module

Learn how to hook up an analog input (potentiometer) and output (LED) using a Microchip BLE module.

October 21, 2019 by Aaron Hanson

How to Characterize Noise in a Custom PCB: Precision Inclinometer

Learn about the process of identifying and eliminating noise in data capture.

January 16, 2019 by Mark Hughes

How to Design a Custom PCB Holder: Mechanical Considerations for a High-Precision Sensor System

When working with high-precision sensors, it's crucial to consider housing. In this article, we discuss an approach to designing a custom board holder for an inclinometer subsystem.

January 15, 2019 by Mark Hughes

How to Design a Precise Inclinometer on a Custom PCB

Learn the design steps for creating your own custom inclinometer PCB.

January 08, 2019 by Mark Hughes

How to Make Your Umbrella into a Weather Station with a Particle Photon

Want to get to-the-minute, location-specific weather information delivered right to your own Adafruit IO dashboard? It's time to assemble your very own SmartBrella.

December 13, 2018 by Robin Mitchell