EE3901/EE5901 Sensor Technologies
Chapter 1 — Introduction to sensors and measurement uncertainty

Written by A/Prof Bronson Philippa and Laurance Papale

College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University

This chapter introduces the concepts of sensors and sensing. Key topics include the vocabulary that we will use to discuss sensor systems in the remainder of the course, for example: the transfer function, sensitivity, resolution, accuracy, precision, noise, bandwidth, and how measurement error propagates in calculations

Chapter 1 Notes

Work through these notes before the lecture.

Chapter 1 Tutorial

Questions for you to develop your problem solving skills.

Reading material

Sensor Terminology (whitepaper from National Instruments)

This gives a nice clear description of some key sensor characteristics.

Reference material (optional reading)

Sensing and Sensor Fundamentals (book chapter by M.J. McGrath & C.N. Scanaill)

The entire chapter is a useful overview, but you should mainly focus on the "sensor characteristics" section.