The main classification of sensors:

By purpose

Pressure sensitive and force sensitive sensors, position sensors, level sensors, energy sensors, speed sensors, accelerometers, radiation sensors, thermal sensors.

By principle

Vibration sensor, humidity sensor, magnetic sensor, gas sensor, vacuum sensor, biosensor, etc.

Press output signal

Analog sensor: converts the measured non-electrical quantity into an analog electrical signal.

Digital Sensor: Converts the measured non-electrical quantities into digital output signals (both direct and indirect).

Digital sensor: Converts the measured semaphore into the output of a frequency signal or short-cycle signal (including direct or indirect conversion).

Switch Sensor: When a measured signal reaches a certain threshold, the sensor outputs a set low or high signal accordingly.

By manufacturing process

Integrated sensors are fabricated using standard process technology for the production of silicon-based semiconductor integrated circuits.

Part of the circuitry used to initially process the signal under test is also typically integrated on the same chip.

The thin film sensor is formed by a film of a corresponding sensitive material deposited on a dielectric substrate (substrate). When a mixing process is used, part of the circuit can also be fabricated on this substrate.

The thick film sensor is made by coating a slurry of a corresponding material on a ceramic substrate, which is usually made of Al2O3, and then heat-treated to form a thick film.

Ceramic sensors are produced using standard ceramic processes or some variation thereof (sol, gel, etc.).

After the appropriate preparatory operation is completed, the formed component is sintered at a high temperature. There are many common characteristics between the two processes of thick film and ceramic sensors. In some respects, the thick film process can be considered as a variant of the ceramic process.

Each process technology has its own advantages and disadvantages. Ceramic and thick film sensors are more reasonable due to lower capital investment required for research, development and production, and high stability of sensor parameters.

By measurement

Physical sensors are made using properties that significantly change certain physical properties of the substance being measured.

Chemical sensors are made of sensitive components that convert chemical quantities such as chemical composition and concentration into electrical quantities.

Biosensors are sensors that use the properties of various biological or biological materials to detect and identify chemical components in living organisms.

According to its composition

Basic sensor: It is the most basic single conversion device.

Combined sensor: A sensor consisting of a combination of different individual transducers.

Application type sensor: It is a sensor composed of a basic type sensor or a combination type sensor combined with other mechanisms.

By action form

According to the action form, it can be divided into active and passive sensors.

The active sensor has a function type and a reaction type. The sensor can emit a certain detection signal to the object to be detected, can detect the change of the detection signal in the object to be measured, or generate a certain kind of detection signal in the object to be tested. The effect forms a signal. A method of detecting a change in a detection signal is called an action type, and a method of detecting a response to form a signal is called a reaction type. Radar and radio frequency range detectors are examples of action, while photoacoustic effect analysis devices and laser analyzers are examples of reaction.

Passive sensors only receive signals generated by the object under test, such as infrared radiation thermometers, infrared cameras, and so on.