Characterization of sensor types and their interaction with physical reality

Abstract

Sensors are key elements in current technological development, considered as valuable as computers were in their time. They have become indispensable measurement tools for technological advances, widely used in various aspects of human life. Sensors have increased our understanding of the world, providing a macroscopic view of human interactions with the ever-changing environment.

Many experts believe that sensors will play a crucial role in building a smarter and more sustainable planet. They enable the quantification of natural resource usage and monitoring waste disposal, leading to a better distribution of these valuable yet limited resources.

To accurately describe and characterize sensors, an approach to existing literature on the subject was taken. A thorough search was conducted in various texts closely related to the topic, with a preference for English-language sources, given its prominence in scientific production. This process revealed numerous types and categories of sensors.

This work presents and documents different types of sensors, describing their mechanisms of interaction with physical quantities and providing relative operational descriptions