Sensors with intelligence

The concept of a smart sensor where the prime sensing element is integrated into a complete measurement system with signal conditioning and processing electronics is well established as a leading technology for the 1990s. Factors which have played a major part in this development include the high degree of flexibility and responsibility offered by this approach coupled with the ability for low cost production. Examples of advances that are being made in the above technologies are presented to demonstrate the range of `smart´ configurations that are possible. Sensors that have been produced for both military and industrial application are described