Active sensors are radar instruments that are used to measure signals transmitted by these sensors that are refracted by the Earth’s surface. These sensors have the potential to transform various industrial applications with their unparalleled features. Their power to emit signals and measure the surrounding environment makes them important elements in applications such as robotics and IoT. They hold immense capability to provide a responsive approach to gathering information and driving innovations.
Popular active sensors that are widely used across several industries
LiDAR is one of the most common types of active sensors that uses a laser radar to transmit a light pulse and a receiver with sensitive detectors to measure the reflected light. Moreover, these sensing devices determine the distance to the object by recording the time between transmitted and backscattered pulses. They use the speed of light to calculate the distance traveled between the objects.
Similarly, radar (radio detection and ranging instrument) is another form of active sensor that offers its own source of electromagnetic energy. These devices emit microwave radiation in a series of pulses from an antenna. When the energy reaches the target, some of the energy is reflected back to the instrument, which is measured and timed. The instruments give a two-dimensional image of the surface by recording the range and magnitude of the energy reflected from all the targets.
Moreover, scatterometers are high-frequency microwave radars that are specifically designed to calculate backscattered radiation. For ocean surface measurements, these instruments are used to derive maps of surface wind speed and direction.
How are AI-based active sensors transforming various monitoring applications?
The active sensor market has experienced prominent growth in the last few years due to the rapid integration of modern technologies such as AI. According to Allied Market Research, the industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2022 to 2031. AI-powered active sensors offer cost-effective approaches for a wide range of monitoring applications such as designing smart homes and personal healthcare devices. Advanced AI sensors possess multiple sensors that are capable of detecting multidimensional information and computing such as a human brain for data processing. Recent advancements in AI-driven active sensors include complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensors for computer vision, microphone sensors for voice recognition, wearable sensors for gesture recognition, and microelectromechanical systems. Moreover, these modern sensing devices are widely used for designing cutting-edge wearables for health monitoring and neuromorphic computing systems.
ABB joined hands with Real Tech to transform water quality management
In January 2024, ABB, a global leader in technologies, announced its acquisition of Real Tech, a Canada-based supplier of cutting-edge optical sensor technology. This agreement has enabled ABB to expand its presence in the water segment and complement its product portfolio with optical technology that is beneficial for smart water management. Conventional water quality management used to be a time-consuming process, however, with the help of Real Tech’s sensor technology, this process has become efficient with real-time measurements. These sets of information enable optimized process control and provide continuous water quality assurance. Moreover, the company’s portfolio comprises optical sensors, controllers, and an array of accessories that configure each system based on customers’ needs. In addition, Liquid AI, the AI software platform of Real Tech, offers an accurate and easy way of analyzing data from the sensors, enabling optimized water management.
Endnote
Active sensors are devices that generate energy or signals to measure the characteristics or nature of objects present in an environment. They play a key role in a wide range of applications across various fields starting from remote sensing, health monitoring, environment monitoring, mapping, surveying, and several defense & security activities. Moreover, the rise in proliferation of modern technologies such as AI is expected to open new possibilities across the domain in the coming years.
𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓: Rosy Behera
