Sensor vs Transducer

Due to emergence of IoT (Internet of Things) demand for sensors and transducers have increased drastically. Sensors are used throughout the industry verticals including agriculture, power sector, healthcare, automotive , telecommunications , instrumentation and more. Based on these various products have been developed which consist of sensors. To name a few sensors are in our bodies, in aeroplanes, in cellular telephones, in radios, in the chemical plants and industrial plants and more. Let us understand what is the difference between sensor and transducer.

In a common terms, sensor is basically a device which detects change in physical parameters and converts it into a signal which can be recorder or measured. For example, Thermistor which senses the change in temperature and converts it into resistance change.

sensors and transducers

The transducer is a device which converts energy in primary form into corresponding energy signal in the different form. the primary forms of energy include mechanical, electromagnetic, thermal, chemical, optical and more. As shown in the figure-1, transducer composed of a sensor and an actuator. As depicted microphone is the sensor which converts acoustic signal into electrical form which is being amplified and fed to the loudspeaker which converts electrical signal back to acoustic waves. Here louspeaker is a actuator which generates signal or the stimulus. Sensor basically detects or measures a signal or stimulus.

As we know world is moving towards having automation in all the industries including our home. Due to boom in the wireless standard compliant devices based on WiFi, Zigbee and Bluetooth home automation has become reality. Home automation relies heavily on sensors of various kinds such as proximity sensor or motion sensor, liquid level sensor, smoke sensor, magnetic sensor, temperature sensor, light sensor and more.

Types of Transducers and sensors

There are two types of transducers viz. passive transducer and self generating transducer. Passive one requires external power source. For example condenser microphone mentioned in the figure-1 is of passive type. The output of the passive transducer is measure of variation of parameters such as capacitance and resistance.

The self generating transducer do not need external power to function. They will produce current or voltage due to stimulation of some physical form of energy. Thermocouple is self generating type of transducer.

Sensors types are categorized based on the material and functionalities. Sensors are either organic or inorganic. Ogranic sensors are made of materials such as insulator, liquid, gas or plasma etc. Inorganic sensors are made of conductor, semiconductor or biological substances. Based on detection mechanism used in the sensors they are of various types. These include Biological sensor, chemical sensor, physical sensor, temperature sensor, electric or magnetic sensor, light sensor, radioactive sensor etc.

Physical sensors will have following conversion phenomena:

•  Thermoelectric
•  Photoelectric
•  Photomagnetic
•  Magnetoelectric
•  Electromagnetic
•  Thermoelastic
•  Electroelastic
•  Thermomagnetic
•  Thermooptic
•  Photoelastic

Chemical sensors will have conversion phenomena such as chemical transformation, physical transformation, electrochemical process, spectroscopy etc. Similarly biological sensors will have biochemical transformation, physical transformation, effect on test organism, spectroscopy and more.

Difference between sensor and transducer

Following table lists out differences between sensor and transducer.


Parameters Sensor Transducer
Function It converts physical quantity to electrical signal. It converts one form of energy to another form of energy.
Output Electrical signal (e.g. voltage or current) Various outputs (e.g. electrical, optical, mechanical)
Sensing mechanism Utilize specific physical change or property for detection Serve as primary sensing element in a system
Signal processing Requires for accurate measurement May require less as it often directly produces desired output.
Output range Typically has limited output range It can vary based on application
Calibration It requires calibration for accuracy It may require calibration depending on use
Complexity Generally simple in structure and function May be more complex due to energy conversion
Cost Can be cost effective for basic measurements Cost may vary widely based on complexity
Usage Often used in measurement and control systems Used in various applications including sensing, measurement and actuation
Examples Temperature sensor, pressure sensor Microphone, loudspeaker, light sensor

Manufacturers or Vendors

Following are the typical specifications of sensors to be considered before purchase:

•  Sensitivity
•  Stimulus range (span)
•  Stability (short and long term)
•  Resolution
•  Accuracy
•  Selectivity
•  Speed of response
•  Environmental conditions
•  Overload characteristics
•  Linearity
•  Hysteresis
•  Dead band
•  Operating life
•  Output format
•  Cost
•  size
•  weight

Conclusion of Sensor vs Transducer : Both sensors and transducers are devices that play distinct roles in measurement, control, and energy conversion. While sensors are mainly concerned with sensing and measurement, transducers are more focused on energy conversion. This makes them essential for a wide range of applications beyond traditional sensing.

The reputed manufacturers of sensors and transducers are Silicon Labs, Analog Devices and more. Refer IoT Sensors and IoT components pages for IoT compliant sensors and various IoT components and manufacturers.

Arduino Interfacing with sensors

Different Types of sensors and Transducers


Advantages and Disadvantages of other Sensor Types

Capacitive    Inductive    Photoelectric    Ultrasonic    Infrared    Motion    Biometric    Force    Humidity    Temperature    Light    Barometer    Sound    pH    Soil Moisture   

RF and Wireless Terminologies