Equipments that are employed to sense and convert physical information about the environment into a readable form such as analog voltage, current, charge, or frequency are known as Sensors, Transducers and detectors. A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. Transducers implies to all those devices that convert one type of energy or physical attribute to another and are usually based on electrical, electronic, electro-mechanical, electromagnetic, photonic, or photovoltaic. Detectors on the other hand are equipments that recovers information of interest contained in a modulated wave.

Types of Sensors, Transducers and Detectors

Following are the brief description of some of the most commonly used categories that are bifurcated by the sensors, transducers and detectors industry -

Acceleration and Vibration Sensing – All those sensors, transducers and detectors that are used in for producing, controlling or measuring vibratory or oscillatory motion are known as acceleration and vibration sensing equipments.

Analytical Sensors – These are one of the most important types of sensors that are used to analyze material samples, or their components, and record data specific to the application.

Environmental Sensors – Sensors that are installed to perform the task of measuring and testing for changes in environmental conditions, including radiation, temperature, moisture and dew point, smoke, dust and opacity, light, weather, and water quality are known as environmental sensors.

Proximity Presence Sensing – In the sensors industry, proximity presence sensing is referred to those Instruments that function for proximity sensing, including capacitive, photoelectric, inductive, Hall effect, ultrasonic, and other technologies.

Velocity Sensing – Instruments that are involved in measuring, monitoring or adjusting velocity or speed in shafts, moving webs and other components are loosely referred as velocity sensing.

Some of the other members in the sensors, transducers and detectors family include – Acoustic Audio Equipments, Acoustic Sensing, Displacement Sensing, Electrical and Electromagnetic Sensing, Force Sensing, gas Sensing, Pressure Sensing and Temperature Sensing.

Industry Growth

The sensors, transducers and detectors industry is aimed to achieve double digits growth in the coming years. This can be proven by the fact that the US sensors market is being projected to grow at 4.3 percent per annum to reach $12.7 billion in the year 2012. The various technological advancements taking place in various industries have triggered the growth of this industry. The manufacturers and suppliers of sensors transducers and detectors are relying heavily on the trend of proximity and positioning in various industries to substantiate their profit.

Applications

The applications of sensors transducers and detectors is very wide. Sensors are used in everyday objects such as touch sensitive elevator buttons and lamps which dim or brighten by touching the base. Their applications include cars, machines, aerospace, medicine, manufacturing and robotics. Transducers are used avidly in the acoustic and sound industry, cell phones, paper detector in photocopiers, auto power standby or shutdown mode in notebooks and other devices. Of recent, their potential is also being realized in the microbial ecology as well as in veterinary and human clinical diagnostics.

Major Market Players

US is the leading manufacturer as well as suppliers and exporter of sensors, transducers and detectors. With profits expected to reach $12.7 billion by the end of year 2012, US prospect is certainly looking bright. Some other countries like China and Japan too are getting gung ho to acquire the title of being the largest manufacturer and supplier of sensors, transducers and detectors.

Sensors, Transducers, Detectors Publication

Sensors – Sensors On line and its suite of special-interest sites is weekly updated with timely commentary and a roundup of the week's news about the development and use of sensors and the technologies that enable them. The Sensors Product Picks provides helpful detail on sensors and related products in various categories. This monthly newsletter focuses on real-world applications, with in-depth technical articles on sensor technology, applications, and how sensor data is integrated into larger systems.

Sensors and Transducers Magazine – The Sensors and Transducers Magazine is a peer review international journal devoted to research, development and application of sensors and transducers. Published by the International Frequency Sensors Association, this is a popular monthly edition.

Sensors, Transducers, Detectors Association

International Frequency Sensors Association – International Frequency Sensor Association, founded in the year 1999 came into existence with the aim to provide a forum for academicians, researchers and engineers from industry to present and discuss the latest research results, experiences and future trends in the area of design and application of different smart sensors with digital, frequency (period), time interval or duty-cycle output. IFSA membership is open to all companies, universities, organizations and individuals world-wide, that are able to contribute expertise in sensor relevant areas.

AMA Association for Sensor Technology – The AMA Association for Sensor Technology was founded in 1980 to represents the interests of all organizations engaged in one form or another with measuring devices or systems. The AMA is an active and authoritative technical association offering its members multi-layered services and a unique network, securing and expanding the strong position of its members on the world market. It not only stands for sensor technology, but also for micro system technology, since today’s measuring systems are integral to micro system applications.

China Sensors Information – CSIN was founded in 1998 to observe Chinese Constitution, laws, acts and state policy, to observe social custom morality. It is a sub- Sensors Society of CIE, Jiangsu sensors industry association and CAS and insists its service upon the purpose and to promote development of sensors trade. In order to adapt development needs， CSIN is to expand its membership contingent and to absorb more trade enterprises including different ownership-typed firms to be CSIN members, to make CSIN owning wider representation in this trade for better service work.