Intelligent Sensor Systems,

The Sensors Series includes books on all aspects of the science and technology of sensors, measuring transducers, sensing systems and their applications. Titles in the series are written mainly at the graduate and professional level and are suitable for instrument and measurement scientists, engineers, and technologists in both academe and industry. This book provides a comprehensive survey of all the disparate elements that make up intelligent sensor system technologies. It proceeds from the basic philosophies of measurement and information to examples of modern applications which exploit the newly available signal processing power. The essential theoretical background for an understanding of the capabilities of systems is included in the early chapters, as is a survey of the available primary sensor mechanisms. There is a treatment of some of the relevant electronic measurement techniques as well as the enabling technologies which make intelligent sensors possible. The latter half of the book is a guide to the implementation of intelligent sensor systems, with an emphasis on the range of possibilities offered by the exploitation of digital electronic hardware and software. Practical examples range from one of the earliest devices, a smart magnetic sensor, to new results leading to the fully intelligent and adaptive load cell. Sensor networks are covered, with the inclusion of topologies and protocols. The latest advances in the exploitation of ASIC technology are also included. The book should be essential reading for any scientist or engineer engaged in sensor research or development, and will also be a useful course text for advanced students of the subject. John Brignell is Professor of Industrial Instrumentation in the department of electronics and computer science at the University of Southampton, UK. He has considerable experience of the industrial applications of sensor technology, and has been a pioneer in the development of intelligent and distributed sensing systems. Neil White is a research fellow working in the same department. His research interests include thick-film fabrication techniques aimed at smart-sensor applications and intelligent instrumentation. This book provides a comprehensive survey of all the disparate elements that make up intelligent sensor system technologies. It proceeds from the basic philosophies of measurement and information to examples of modern applications which exploit the newly available signal processing power. The essential theoretical background for an understanding of the capabilities of systems is included in the early chapters, as is a survey of the available primary sensor mechanisms. There is a treatment of some of the relevant electronic measurement techniques as well as the enabling technologies which make intelligent sensors possible. The latter half of the book is a guide to the implementation of intelligent sensor systems, with an empahsis on the range of possibilities offered by the exploitation of digital electronic hardware and software. Practical examples range from one of the earliest devices, a smart magnetic sensor, to new results leading to the fully intelligent and adaptive load cell. Sensor networks are covered, with the inclusion of topologies and protocols. The latest advances in the exploitation of ASIC technology are also included. The book should be essential reading for any scientist or engineer engaged in sensor research or development, and will also be a useful course text for advanced students of the subject.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the revised edition. Basics: What is measurement? What is information? Information flow in measurement systems. Signals and systems: Introduction; Survey of classical systems theory; Sampled signals and discrete systems. Physical principles of sensing: General principles of transduction; Primary sensor defects and their compensation; Survey of primary sensing mechanisms. Electronic measurement techniques: Transducer interface circuits; Operational amplifiers; Data conversion; The effect of noise on analogue systems; Quantization and other digital noise sources. Enabling technologies: Introduction; Traditional techniques; Silicon planar technology; Thin film technology; Thick film technology; Optical fibre technology. Intelligent sensor concepts: Introduction; Elements of intelligent sensors; Structures; Processes and procedures; Production; Stimulus-response sensors (Unorthodox Stimuli); Discussion. Communication and sensor networks: System topologies; General requirements of a low level protocol; Protocol implementations. Physical realisations: Introduction; A magnetic field sensor; The intelligent load cell; An optically coupled pressure sensor; The electronic nose; ASICs. Conclusion. References. Appendix: Problems. Index.