sensor

hardware An electronic device used to measure a physical

quantity such as temperature, pressure or loudness and convert

it into an electronic signal of some kind (e.g a voltage).

Sensors are normally components of some larger electronic

system such as a computer control and/or measurement system.

Analog sensors most often produce a voltage proportional to

the measured quantity. The signal must be converted to

digital form with a ADC before the CPU can process it.

Digital sensors most often use serial communication such as

EIA-232 to return information directly to the controller or

computer through a serial port.

(1997-04-15)