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Article
Publication date: 22 March 2021

Yong Pan, Qin Molin, Tengxiao Guo, Lin Zhang, Bingqing Cao, Junchao Yang, Wen Wang and Xufeng Xue

This paper aims to give an overview about the state of wireless passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensor used in the detection of chemical vapor. It also discusses a variety…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to give an overview about the state of wireless passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensor used in the detection of chemical vapor. It also discusses a variety of different architectures including delay line and array sensor for gas detection, and it is considered that this technology has a good application prospect.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors state the most of the wireless passive SAW methods used in gas sensing, such as CO2, CO, CH4, C2H4, NH3, NO2, et al., the sensor principles, design procedures and technological issues are discussed in detail; their advantages and disadvantages are also summarized. In conclusion, it gives a prospect of wireless passive SAW sensor applications and proposes the future research field might lie in the studying of many kinds of harmful gases.

Findings

In this paper, the authors will try to cover most of the important methods used in gas sensing and their recent developments. Although wireless passive SAW sensors have been used successfully in harsh environments for the monitoring of temperature or pressure, the using in chemical gases are seldom reported. This review paper gives a survey of the present state of wireless passive SAW sensor in gas detection and suggests new and exciting perspectives of wireless passive SAW gas sensor technology.

Research limitations/implications

The authors will review most of the methods used in wireless passive SAW sensor and discuss the current research status and development trend; the potential application in future is also forecasted.

Originality/value

The authors will review most of the methods used in wireless passive SAW sensor and discuss the current research status and development trend; the potential application in future is also forecasted.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 41 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 March 2014

J. Virtanen, F. Yang, L. Ukkonen, A.Z. Elsherbeni, A.A. Babar and L. Sydänheimo

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel totally passive, wireless temperature sensor tag based on ultra high-frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel totally passive, wireless temperature sensor tag based on ultra high-frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The temperature-sensing functionality is enabled by using distilled water embedded in the tag antenna substrate. The novel sensor tag is designed to provide wireless temperature readings comparable to a commercial thermocouple thermometer even in environments with high levels of interference, such as reflections. The structure of the novel sensor tag is aimed to increase its usability by minimizing user-created errors and to simplify the measurement procedure.

Design/methodology/approach

The sensor tag is based on a dual port sensing concept in which two ports are used to obtain sensor readings. By utilizing two ports instead of one, the effects of environmental interference, tag-reader antenna orientation and distance can be effectively minimized. Two alternative methods of acquiring the sensor reading from the operating characteristics of the two ports are presented and discussed.

Findings

Temperature measurements in practical scenarios show that by utilizing the dual port sensing concept, the developed tag produces temperature readings wirelessly which are comparable to readings from a commercial thermocouple thermometer.

Research limitations/implications

The concept of dual port sensing was shown and two alternative methods on extracting sensor readings from the differences in the port operating characteristics were introduced and discussed. In this paper, the dual port sensing concept is utilized in creating a temperature sensor tag; however, the same concept can be utilized in a variety of passive wireless sensors based on UHF RFID technology. This enables a new approach in designing accurate, easy to use and easily integrable passive sensors. The dual port sensing concept is in its early stages of development; its accuracy could be improved by developing more advanced data post-processing techniques.

Practical implications

The accuracy of a passive dual port UHF RFID-enabled temperature sensor tag is proven to be sufficient in many applications. This indicates that other sensor types utilizing the dual port sensing concept can reach high levels of accuracy as well. Furthermore, the passive RFID-enabled sensors based on the dual port sensing concept are superior in usability versus sensor tags equipped only with a single port. Therefore, dual port sensing concept in passive UHF RFID-enabled sensor tags could make such sensors more attractive commercially and lead to truly widespread ubiquitous sensing and computing.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel passive, wireless temperature sensor tag for UHF RFID systems. The sensor tag utilizes a new structure which allows tight integration of two ports and two tag antennas. The accuracy of the developed tag is confirmed throughout measurements and it is found comparable to the accuracy of commercial thermometers in practical measurement scenarios. Moreover, the paper presents a dual port sensing concept and two readout methods based on the concept which are aimed to increase the accuracy and usability of all kinds of UHF RFID-enabled sensor tags.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 October 2017

Boquan Liu and Pinghua Tang

This paper aims to present an context evaluation and frequency measurement method for surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonant sensor.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present an context evaluation and frequency measurement method for surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonant sensor.

Design/methodology/approach

This method is based on a signal subspace construction, which, along with assembling optional value set, provides the results.

Findings

The method can assess the application context and improve the resolution and accuracy of the passive wireless SAW resonator sensor system.

Originality/value

Passive wireless SAW resonators have been used as sensor elements for different physical parameters such as temperature, pressure and force in a number of industrial and medical applications. Various wireless channel environments introduce different application contexts.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 37 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 January 2020

Yuxi Yu, Bin Han and Fansen Xia

This paper aims to present wireless passive temperature sensors by using high-temperature stable polymer-derived silicoaluminum carbonitride (PDC-SiAlCN) ceramic materials.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present wireless passive temperature sensors by using high-temperature stable polymer-derived silicoaluminum carbonitride (PDC-SiAlCN) ceramic materials.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a novel PDC-SiAlCN ceramic was synthesized by using polyvinylsilazne and aluminum-tri-sec-butoxide as precursors. Then, PDC-SiAlCN was used as the sensing material to fabricate sensors. The sensors are based on a cavity resonator and an integrated slot antenna. The resonant frequencies of the sensors are determined by the dielectric constants of PDC-SiAlCN ceramic, which monotonically increase versus temperature.

Findings

The effect of sensor dimension on the performance of the sensors was investigated using simulation and experimental methods. The using temperature, reliability and sensing distance of the sensors were studied experimentally. The sensors performed measurement up to 1100°C with excellent reliability and repeatability. The sensing distance varied from 38 to 14 mm when the temperature increasing from 20°C to 1100°C.

Originality/value

PDC-SiAlCN ceramic based wireless passive temperature sensors have the advantage of seamless integration of slot antennas and resonators, which greatly reduces the size of the sensor, reduces the direction of antenna transmission and increases the transmission space. The sensors can be used for many harsh environment applications such as engine monitoring.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 40 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 March 2015

Yingping Hong, Ting Liang, Pinggang Jia, Wenyi Liu, Qiulin Tan, Chen Li, Tingli Zheng, Binger Ge and Jijun Xiong

Physical contact and traditional sensitive structure Physical contact and traditional pressure-sensitive structures typically do not operate well in harsh environments. This paper…

Abstract

Purpose

Physical contact and traditional sensitive structure Physical contact and traditional pressure-sensitive structures typically do not operate well in harsh environments. This paper proposes a high-temperature pressure measurement system for wireless passive pressure sensors on the basis of inductively coupled LC resonant circuits.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper begins with a general introduction to the high-temperature pressure measurement system, which consists of a reader antenna inductively coupled to the sensor circuit, a readout unit and a heat insulation unit. The design and fabrication of the proposed measurement system are then described in detail.

Findings

A wireless passive pressure sensor without an air channel is fabricated using high-temperature co-fired ceramics (HTCC) technology and its signal is measured by the designed measurement system. The designed heat insulation unit keeps the reader antenna in a safe environment of 159.5°C when the passive sensor is located in a 900°C high-temperature zone continuously for 0.5 h. The proposed system can effectively detect the sensor’s resonance frequency variation in a high bandwidth from 1 to 100 MHz with a frequency resolution of 0.006 MHz, tested from room temperature to 500°C for 30 min.

Originality/value

Expensive and bulky equipment (impedance analyzers or network analyzers) restrict the use of the readout method outside the laboratory environment. This paper shows that a novel readout circuit can replace the laboratory equipment to demodulate the measured pressure by extracting the various sensors’ resonant frequency. The proposed measurement system realizes automatic and continuous pressure monitoring in a high-temperature environment with a coupled distance of 2.5 cm. The research finding is meaningful for the measurement of passive pressure sensors under a wide temperature range.

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2011

Sari Merilampi, Toni Björninen, Leena Ukkonen, Pekka Ruuskanen and Lauri Sydänheimo

The purpose of this paper is to develop a wireless strain sensor for measuring large strains. The sensor is based on passive ultra high‐frequency radio frequency identification…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a wireless strain sensor for measuring large strains. The sensor is based on passive ultra high‐frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and it can be embedded into a variety of structures.

Design/methodology/approach

Silver ink conductors and RFID tags were printed by the screen printing method on stretchable polyvinyl chloride and fabric substrates. The development of the strain‐sensitive RFID tag was based on the behavior of the selected antenna and substrate materials. Performance of the tags and the effect of mechanical strain on tag functioning were examined.

Findings

The results showed that large displacements can be successfully measured wirelessly using a stretchable RFID tag as a strain‐sensitive structure. The behavior of the tag can be modified by selection of the material.

Research limitations/implications

New tag designs, which are more sensitive to small levels of strain and which have a linear response will be the subject for future work. Tag performance under cyclic loading and in a real environment will also be investigated. Future work relating the investigation of practical applications and the system designing for the strain sensor will also be required.

Practical implications

Printing is fast and simple manufacturing process which does not produce much waste or material loss. The sensor is a new application of printed electronics. It also provides new opportunities for system designers.

Originality/value

The paper provides a new kind of wireless strain sensor which can be integrated into many structures (i.e. clothes). The sensor is a new application of printed electronics and it is made from novel materials.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 January 2014

Shijun Zheng, Ting Liang, Yinpin Hong, Ying Li and Jijun Xiong

The paper aims to highlight a wireless pressure-sensitive micro-device with high pressure sensitivity and accuracy. It is based on the partially stabilized Zirconia (PSZ) ceramic…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to highlight a wireless pressure-sensitive micro-device with high pressure sensitivity and accuracy. It is based on the partially stabilized Zirconia (PSZ) ceramic material which is capable of excellent elasticity and robustness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with a general introduction to the wireless interrogating method and then the fabrication processes of the device using high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) technology are described in detail.

Findings

A passive wireless micro-device made from a novel material-PSZ ceramic on pressure monitoring is fabricated and tested and the authors proved that the device possesses an advantages over some proposed wireless sensors on interrogating distance. The pressure sensitivity of the device is 336 kHz/bar at readout distance 2.5 cm and that is an excellent property.

Originality/value

The paper shows a new design scheme for wireless pressure measurement. The future application of the wireless device indicates the problem on external packaging and wire connection could be avoided. The allowable interrogation distance between the device and readout circuit reaches 2.5 cm which is mentioned for the first time so far. The distance is long enough to insert a thermal insulation material which can protect the vulnerable readout circuit from harsh environment, so the research finding is meaningful for the modern measurement technology.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2008

K. Arshak, A. Arshak, E. Jafer, D. Waldern and J. Harris

To develop a wireless sensor micro‐systems containing all the components of data acquisition system, such as sensors, signal‐conditioning circuits, analog‐digital converter…

2851

Abstract

Purpose

To develop a wireless sensor micro‐systems containing all the components of data acquisition system, such as sensors, signal‐conditioning circuits, analog‐digital converter, embedded microcontroller unit (MCU), and RF communication modules. This has now become the focus of attention in many biomedical applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The system prototype consists of miniature FSK transceiver integrated with MCU in one small package, chip antenna, and capacitive interface circuitry based on Delta‐sigma modulator. At the base station side, an FSK receiver/transmitter is connected to another MCU unit, which send the received data or received instructions from a PC through a graphical user interface GUI. Industrial, scientific and medical band RF (433 MHz) was used to achieve half duplex communication between the two sides. A digital filtering has been used in the capacitive interface to reduce noise effects forming capacitance to digital converter. All the modules of the mixed signal system are integrated in a printed circuit board of size 22.46 × 20.168 mm.

Findings

An innovation circuits and system techniques for building advanced smart medical devices have been discussed. Low‐power consumption and high reliability are among the main criteria that must be given priority when designing such wirelessly powered microsystems. Switched capacitors readout circuits have been found to be suitable for pressure sensing low‐power applications.

Research limitations/implications

The presented wireless prototype needs a second phase of development that will lead to a further reduction in both size and power consumption. Currently, the main limitation of the RF system is the number of working hours according to the selected battery.

Practical implications

The developed system was found to be useful in terms of measuring pressure and temperature in a system of either slow or fast physical change. It would be a good idea to explore the system performance in human or animal trials.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils useful information for capacitive interface circuitries and presents a new short‐range wireless system that has different design features.

Details

Microelectronics International, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-5362

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 June 2016

Boquan Liu, Yicheng Zeng and Pinghua Tang

This paper aims to propose a noise-robust method to estimate the frequency of the reflective echo to reduce the negative effects of noise and improve the accuracy and resolution…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a noise-robust method to estimate the frequency of the reflective echo to reduce the negative effects of noise and improve the accuracy and resolution of a resonant surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach exploits the singular value decomposition to obtain the frequency information of a SAW response signal and overcome the noise influences.

Findings

Compared with the commonly used Fourier transform (FT) method, the accuracy and resolution improvement of the proposed method used in the SAW sensor is validated.

Originality/value

The system using the proposed method delivers lesser standard deviation, that is, delivers higher performance than the conventional system using the fast FT method.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 36 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2016

Tanyong Wei, Qiulin Tan, Tao Luo, Guozhu Wu, Shun Tang, Dan-Dan Shen, Chen Li and Jijun Xiong

The purpose of this paper is to propose a pressure-, temperature- and acceleration-sensitive structure-integrated inductor-capacitor (LC) resonant ceramic sensor to fulfill the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a pressure-, temperature- and acceleration-sensitive structure-integrated inductor-capacitor (LC) resonant ceramic sensor to fulfill the measurement of multi-parameters, such as the measurement of pressure, temperature and acceleration, simultaneously in automotive, aerospace and aeronautics industries.

Design/methodology/approach

The ceramic-based multi-parameter sensor was composed of three LC tanks, which have their resonant frequencies sensitive to pressure, temperature and acceleration separately. Two aspects from the specific sensitive structure design to the multiple signals reading technology are considered in designing the multi-parameter ceramic sensor. Theoretical analysis and ANSYS simulation are used in designing the sensitive structure, and MATLAB simulation and experiment are conducted to verify the feasibility of non-coverage of multi-readout signals.

Findings

It is found that if the parameters of sensitive structure and layout of the LC tanks integrated into the sensor are proper, the implementation of a multi-parameter sensor could be feasible.

Practical implications

The ceramic sensor proposed in the paper can measure pressure, temperature and acceleration simultaneously in harsh environments.

Originality/value

The paper creatively proposes a pressure-, temperature- and acceleration-sensitive structure-integrated LC resonant ceramic sensor for harsh environments and verifies the feasibility of the sensor from sensitive structure design to multiple-signal reading.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 36 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

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