Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
5. Enabling Technologies
In this chapter the following enabling technologies are presented in detail: sensing,
reasoning, acting, interacting and communicating.
5.1. Sensing
A sensor is a device or system able to measure physical, chemical, electrical, or optical
quantity of a phenomenon and to produce an output related to that quantity. The most
generally accepted definition of sensor in technical and scientific literature says that a
sensor is conceptually composed of a fundamental transduction mechanism (sensing
elements), that converts one form of energy into another, and an output interface, that
includes a physical packaging, conditioning electronics and external connections (e.g.
electrical or optical). A sensor with built-in intelligence and embedded with a network
interface, a processor and a memory core is usually called “smart” sensor. These smart
sensors will progress, in terms of costs and functionalities, at rates similar to those
experienced by other integrated circuits, such as microprocessors and memory, because
they use much of the same technology (Frank, 2000). As a matter of fact a smart sensor
standard was developed to define a flexible standard interface that would enable any
smart sensor from any manufacturer to connect to a multi-node network of smart
sensors (IEEE, 1998). The standard defines a Standard Transducer Interface Module
(STIM) that includes the sensor interface, signal conditioning and conversion,
calibration, linearization, and network communication. Practically, this standard
enables plug and play functionality for smart sensors that connect to smart sensor
networks.
Mentioned properties of sensors, smart sensors and sensor networks are very
suitable in AAL and are expected to take place in anything and anywhere: in- or on-
body, in- or on- appliances or in the environment (home, outdoors, in vehicles, public
spaces, etc.).
A survey conducted in the framework of the iNEMI Roadmaps (International
Electronics Manufacturing Initiative), with experts from academia, research institutes
and industry, forecasts sensor technology issues and trends up to 2015. Their results
included a ranking of present and future market importance of the principal sensor
types and technologies. One of the most noteworthy trends is the importance of micro-
electromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies for both present and future markets.
The survey also indicates that biological/biochemical sensors and optical sensors will
attain greater prominence in the marketplace over the coming ten years. Respondents to
the survey ranked the potential global market volume on a list of topics presented as
statements describing specific attributes of various sensor technologies. The top ten
topics from this ranking were as follows:
1.
MEMS-based miniaturized and low-cost sensor and actuator systems.
2.
DNA-sensors for measuring genetic diseases and/or genetically modified food.
3.
Sensor communication systems based on advanced mobile communication
protocols.
4.
Low-cost (less than 5 euros/unit) silicon MEMS sensors for food and health
care applications.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search