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19/02/2004
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In this world of increasing electronic complexity, it is a real nuisance to have to set up systems according to what devices are connected to them
 Problem: . Provided the sensor is suitable for the job, it should be possible to plug it in and have the electronics sort out what it is and make proper use of the data.
Solution: Microsoft is undoubtedly the name associated with "Plug and play" and provided the attached hardware is something the company knew about when they wrote whatever operating system the user has, it usually manages to interface more or less correctly given enough time. Other companies, however, have found simpler approaches to solving the same problem.
The UM range of ultrasonic sensors from Erwin Sick can be plugged into either mA or voltage responding analogue inputs, upon which they make a quick measurement of the resistance they are connected to, in order to decide which type of output they will deliver.
Even more amazing to us, data logger and PC interface boxes made by the Bath based company, ScienceScope, immediately detect which of a wide range of sensors has been plugged into them, and immediately call up the right software interface module. According to engineering designer Colin Smith, each sensor has a unique signature available through the connecting cable. This allows not only sensor type recognition but also the logger or PC
software to associate the particular range (e.g. 0-100% or 11V) and transfer function (e.g. logarithmic or linear) best suited to the attached sensor. It does not matter whether the sensor measures light, temperature or sound, the system always identifies the sensor correctly, and at once starts making the correct measurements.
Applications: The Erwin Sick UM30 offers 30 to 1300mm, 350 to 3400mm or 800 to 6000mm scanning ranges with resolution from as little as 0.36mm. A built-in temperature compensating sensor ensures that performance is unaffected by changes in operating temperature. Complementing the UM30, the UM18 is specifically designed to detect double sheets of material that are not completely glued together.
The ScienceScope range of products is specifically designed for use in schools, which means that they have to be even lower cost, rugged, and completely student-proof. TS
Erwin Sick
ScienceScope
Email ScienceScope
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Author
Tom Shelley
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