Information to get more about Sensors
2008-08-08

                                                                                        Information to get more about Sensors       Sensor is a device that measures or detects a real-world condition, such as motion, heat or light and converts the condition into an analog or digital representation.      Sensor has a not very long history.      Formed in 1967, Sensor established itself as a high quality manufacturer of precision transducers used in the rapidly growing hydrocarbon exploration industry.     Through the development of the innovative SM-4 type rotating coil geophone, Sensor became the preferred supplier to many key customers in the seismic industry, as well as in areas of machine vibration monitoring, security and high temperature borehole applications. Quality of both product and service became a core principle on which the Company developed its reputation.     By the mid 1980 Sensor had moved into an industry leadership position and today, supplies equipment to about 50% of the world seismic crews. Recognizing the need for seismic crews to regularly test equipment in the field, Sensor developed the SMT range of test equipment, which provides seismic crews with the capability to accurately test transducers to manufacturer standards.     From 1986 to 1994, throughout this period, Sensor continued to develop its core processes and products. Today there are over 1000 SMT systems working around the world, on crews, in test laboratories and with other geophone manufacturers as part of their final manufacturing test.     Market demand to increase channel counts caused by the move towards 3D seismic meant a significant increase in the number of seismic detectors needed by a crew. Sensor met this challenge by focusing the Company R&D program towards reducing manufacturing costs, through the creation of flow-line manufacturing and by automating key production processes, all targeted at improving yields and translating into more competitive product pricing.     Product development continued and, in 1993, through a combination of investment in precision high-speed machine tools, improvements in manufacturing processes, redesign of critical components and improved quality control of materials, a new geophone was created, the Super phone, which extended the limits of performance and set new industry standards which other manufacturers followed.     As 24 bit technology became the standard for recording systems, Sensor developed the SM-24 wide band Super phone in 1995, providing a clean bandwidth to over 240Hz.     Today Sensor continues its history of innovation with the development of the SMT-300 geophone tester and the LF-24 low frequency geophone.     We have learned that sensors play an important role to receive information from the ground. Here, we introduce the various types of sensors. Sensor type is roughly divided into two: Optical sensor and Microwave sensor. (1) Optical sensor      Optical sensors observe visible lights and infrared rays (near infrared, intermediate infrared, thermal infrared). There are two kinds of observation methods using optical sensors: visible/near infrared remote sensing and thermal infrared remote sensing. a) Visible/Near Infrared Remote Sensing      The observation method to acquire visible light and near infrared rays of sunlight was reflected by objects on the ground. By examining the strength of reflection, we can understand a conditions of land surface, e.g., distribution of plants, forests and farm fields, rivers, lakes, urban areas.      During period of darkness, this method can not be observed. Also, clouds block the reflected sunlight, so this method can not be observed areas under clouds. Satellite images observed by visible/near infrared remote sensing of optical sensor                                                                Satellite/sensor: JERS-1/OPS                                             Satellite/sensor: ADEOS/AVN IR  Location: Kyoto                                                                Location: Awaji Island and surrounding area b) Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing       The observation method to acquire thermal infrared rays, which is radiated from land surface, was heated by sunlight. Also it can observe the high temperature areas, such as volcanic activities and fires. By examining the strength of radiation, we can understand surface temperatures of land and sea, and status of volcanic activities and forest fires. This method can observe at night when there is no cloud. Satellite images observed by thermal infrared remote sensing of optical sensor                                                                           Satellite/sensor: ADEOS/OCTS                                                          Satellite/sensor: MOS-1b/VTIR Location: global ocean                                                                         Location: around Miyako Island (2) Microwave sensor        Microwave sensors receive microwaves, which are longer wavelength than visible light and infrared rays, and observation is not affected by day, night or weather. There are two types of observation methods using microwave sensor: active and passive. a) Active type        The sensor aboard earth observation satellite emits microwaves and observes microwaves reflected by land surface. It is suitable to observe mountains and valleys. b) Passive type       This type observes microwaves naturally radiated from land surface. It is suitable to observe sea surface temperature, snow accumulation, thickness of ice. Satellite image observed by microwave sensor Satellite/sensor: JERS-1/SAR Location: Mt. Fuji and vicinity Not being affected by clouds or moisture in air, this sensor can observe the detail of land surface. Rough landform can be clearly seen.

            With the high rapid development of Tec knowledge, sensors' application areas are becoming more and more extensive, and with the high rapid development of our life, I firmly believe that sensors' applications will take more convenient to us.