---
title: Sensors
slug: sensors
docTags: 
createdAt: 2024-02-22T11:47:52.500Z
---

Sensors form a critical part of any application as they function as a transducer. They take one form of energy or quantity and convert it into another. For example, raw heat is of no use to a microcontroller and will damage it. However, place a temperature sensor between the heat source and the microcontroller and you have a useful way to measure the value of the heat.

Sensors are used to measure almost all types of quantities from temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.

## Sensor Types - Signal Output

There are many ways to categorize a sensor type, but in this instance, the two categories we will look at are Analog and Digital.

### Analog Sensors

Analog sensors as the name prescribes provide an output voltage in relation or proportion to the heat source. There is usually a temperature range for example -45' to 150'c and you can expect the temperature sensor to provide a usable output.

A common sensor is the LM35, which provides a 1'C per 10mV. To learn more please see the section [Analog Sensors](docId\:sh23hAJezINDs751wChV-). 



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### Digital Sensors

Digital sensors as the name prescribes provide a digital output in relation or proportion to the heat source. There is usually a temperature range for example -45' to 150'c and you can expect the temperature sensor to provide a usable output. In the case of a digital sensor, a communications interface comes into play and there is a higher level of complexity required to interface with the sensor and extract the value or what is now called the data.

An example of a digital sensor is the TC74, which produces a digital output number that corresponds to the temperature. The advantage of a digital sensor is that multiple sensors can be linked to a common interface and interacted with.



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### Applications

There is a wide variety of applications that require a temperature monitoring solution either as a standalone or as an integrated solution with multiple sensors.