1. Controlling Sensors Efficiently with MCUs
Sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT)
Course Description/Overview:
The growing applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) will rely fundamentally on acquiring data from the world around us. Sensors will be used invariably, gathering information on temperature, pressure, light levels, speed, direction, altitude -- the list goes on and on. In most applications, microcontrollers (MCU) will be used to control a variety of sensors while processing sensor data and communicating important results to a centralized monitor. This course will discuss techniques for most efficient sensor control using MCUs, so your designs can be optimized for your application requirements.
Titles for Each Class and 50-word Description:
1) Sensors in the IoT
Sensors will be, literally, the eyes and ears of the IoT. This class will describe several common sensors and their requirements for use in efficient MCU-based designs.
2) MCUs as Sensor Controllers
This class will review several key MCU features -- like low power, serial communications, and data processing -- that are critical for efficient MCU-based sensor implementations.
3) Example MCU-based Sensor Designs
Many MCU manufacturers have targeted sensor designs and provided reference designs and product examples. This class will explore some of these resources that can help you more efficiently implement your designs.
4) More Example Designs
This class will continue exploring reference designs and development platforms provided by MCU manufacturers to help you more quickly and efficiently create MCU-based sensor designs.
5) Future Trends
This class will review some of the most recent trends in MCU-based sensor designs in order to explore the future types of applications MCUs will need to address and the most likely enhancements they will need to be successful.
Sept 14th, 2015 Warren Miller

2. Course Overview
IoT applications will rely fundamentally on acquiring data from the world around us.
Sensors will gather information on temperature, pressure, light levels, speed…
MCUs will be used to control sensors while processing data and communicating results.
This course will discuss techniques for most efficient sensor control using MCUs.
Course Description/Overview:
The growing applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) will rely fundamentally on acquiring data from the world around us. Sensors will be used invariably, gathering information on temperature, pressure, light levels, speed, direction, altitude -- the list goes on and on. In most applications, microcontrollers (MCU) will be used to control a variety of sensors while processing sensor data and communicating important results to a centralized monitor. This course will discuss techniques for most efficient sensor control using MCUs, so your designs can be optimized for your application requirements.
Titles for Each Class and 50-word Description:
1) Sensors in the IoT
Sensors will be, literally, the eyes and ears of the IoT. This class will describe several common sensors and their requirements for use in efficient MCU-based designs.
2) MCUs as Sensor Controllers
This class will review several key MCU features -- like low power, serial communications, and data processing -- that are critical for efficient MCU-based sensor implementations.
3) Example MCU-based Sensor Designs
Many MCU manufacturers have targeted sensor designs and provided reference designs and product examples. This class will explore some of these resources that can help you more efficiently implement your designs.
4) More Example Designs
This class will continue exploring reference designs and development platforms provided by MCU manufacturers to help you more quickly and efficiently create MCU-based sensor designs.
5) Future Trends
This class will review some of the most recent trends in MCU-based sensor designs in order to explore the future types of applications MCUs will need to address and the most likely enhancements they will need to be successful.

3. This Week’s Agenda
9/14/15 Sensors in the IoT 9/15/15 MCUs as Sensor Controllers 9/16/15 Example MCU-based Sensor Designs 9/17/15 More Example Designs 9/18/15 Future Trends

4. Today’s Goals and Objectives
Describe common functions MCUs will be responsible for in sensor IoT applications.
What will MCUs do?
What will be important?
Find out about your designs
1) Sensors in the IoT
Sensors will be, literally, the eyes and ears of the IoT. This class will describe several common sensors and their requirements for use in efficient MCU-based designs.

5. What is the IoT?
Things, people and cloud services getting connected via the Internet to enable new applications and business models
Different from M2M
Enabling technology- not a market
TI Sensing Web Site

6. What Types of Sensors?

7. Current Sensing Benefits Low Cost Direct measurement
Simple implementation
Flexible
Can provide high resolution
Typically under 100A and 100V
Wide applicability

8. Capacitive Sensing Benefits Low Cost Low Power
Contactless, high reliability
Robust
High resolution
Remote, multi-channel sensing
Easy to integrate on standard PCB fabrication process
Wide applicability

9. Inductive Sensing Benefits Does not require magnets
Reliable by virtue of being contactless
Insensitive to dust, dirt, water, and oil
Sub-micron resolution
Sensor is low-cost
Allows for remote sensing

10. Ultrasound Sensing Benefits
Adaptable to multiple applications and varying tank sizes, pipe sizes, and fluids
Low power consumption improves system battery performance
Detect zero flow or low fluid level

11. Humidity Sensing Benefits Low current solution
1sps
Integrated solutions available
Includes temp sensor
Robust vs. dirt and dust
Accuracy
+/- 4% humidity
0.2 deg C temp

12. 3D Time of Flight Benefits Direct output of 3D Depth Data
Reduced Software Complexity vs. other 3D Imaging technologies
Low Latency
Depth Range Scalable by Illumination Power
Strong Low Light Performance

13. Optical Sensing Benefits Can be optimized Low Power
Human Eye, Infra-red, etc
Low Power
Contactless, high reliability
Robust
High resolution
Remote, multi-channel sensing
Easy to integrate on standard PCB fabrication process
Wide applicability

14. Temperature Sensing Benefits Highly Linear
Guaranteed Accuracy – Zero Calibration
Programmable Sampling & Alerts
No Additional Components Needed
Integration with other functions
Small Foot Prints

15. Magnetic Sensing Types Low (Earth) Field Saturated Mode Benefits
1, 2, 3 Axis versions
Compass
Saturated Mode
Direction of field from sliding magnet
Benefits
Small size
Low power
Flexible applications

16. Other Pressure Temperature Chemical Radiation Particulates Pulse Rate
Blood Oxygen
Rotation
etc

17. Example Applications

18. What are YOUR Designs?
Post in the chat a very short description of the type of application you are working on or expect to be working on.
I will cover as many as I can in the class on Friday where I will share some example implementations!

19. Resources for Todays Class
Sensor Information PPT: Digi-Key Product Training Modules: Sensors Magnetic Sensors Pressure Sensors Environmental Sensors CEC Design News Courses: Understanding Smart Sensors Understanding Smart Sensors 2

20. This Week’s Agenda
9/14/15 Sensors in the IoT 9/15/15 MCUs as Sensor Controllers 9/16/15 Example MCU-based Sensor Designs 9/17/15 More Example Designs 9/18/15 Future Trends