Several criteria are adopted for the classification of sensors. Some of these include
- Based on the principle of operation (transduction principle)
- Based on energy requirements
- Based on material and technology used
- Application-based classification
- Property-based classification
Based on transduction principles
The transduction principle is the basic criteria that should be followed for a systematic approach to classification. This classification is based on the method used in the process of converting measurand into usable output.
Active/Passive Transducers
Based on the energy requirements of a transducer, they are classified as active transducers and passive transducers.
Active transducers do not need any external power supply to operate and hence it is also called self-generating transducers.
Eg: Thermocouple
Transducers that require an external power source to operate is called Passive transducers.
Eg: LVDT
Based on material and technology
Another classification is based on the material and technology that have acquired more importance lately. The following table shows the emerging sensor technologies with its applications.
| Sensor |
Image Sensor | Motion detectors | Bio Sensors | Accelerometers |
| Technology | CMOS Based | IR, ultrasonic, microwave,radar | Electrochemical | MEMS based |
| Applications | Traffic and security surveillance Video conferencing Blindspot detection Biometrics Consumer electronics |
Obstruction detection Llight activation Security detection Toilet activation |
Food testing Water testing Medical care device Biological warfare agent detection |
Patient monitoring Vehicle dynamic system |
Application based classification
Application based classification of sensors are represented as
Property based classification
A much more elaborate classification is based on the properties like pressure, displacement, temperature …etc. It is subdivided in technology scale. Pressure property is used in technologies such as manometer and piezoelectricity. Semiconductors and thermal conductance use gas and chemical properties.