Transducer- Definition, Types, & Characteristics.

Transducer is defined as a device that receives energy from one system and tranmits it in a different form to another system.

Usually a transducer converts a signal in one form of energy to a signal in another.

Transducers are often employed at the boundaries of automation,
measurement, and control systems, where electrical signals are converted to and from other physical quantities (energy, force, torque, light, motion, position, etc.). The process of converting one form of energy to another is known as transduction.

They are two types-
1. Electrical Transducers
2. Mechanical Transducers.

Characteristics Of Transducers:

Some specifications that are used to rate transducers:

Dynamic Range: This is the ratio between the largest amplitude signal and the smallest amplitude signal the transducer can effectively translate. Transducers with larger dynamic range are more "sensitive" and precise.

Repeatability: This is the ability of the transducer to produce an identical output when stimulated by the same input.

Noise: All transducers add some random noise to their output. In electrical transducers this may be electrical noise due to thermal motion of charges in circuits. Noise corrupts small signals more than large ones.

Hysteresis: This is a property in which the output of the transducer depends on not only its current input but also its past input. For example, an actuator which uses a gear train may have some backlash, which means that if the direction of motion of the actuator reverses, there will be a dead zone before the output of the actuator reverses, caused by play between the gear teeth.

Source & Credit : Wikipedia.org