+ General Information on Simple Sensors

Definitions

Compatibility

All of these sensors can also be connected to our adaptation cards and are thus compatible with IRCAM interfaces. Additionally, with the appropriate extension (correct wire order and type of connector) specific to each interface, they can also be connected to analog sensor interfaces from other suppliers.

For more information on acquisition chains (how a sensor system works), you can refer to the summary of the "Use of Sensors in Art" course.

The different simple sensors

In summary, all simple sensors can be reduced to two modes of operation: analog (such as a potentiometer) or on/off (such as a switch). Their behavior can therefore be simulated during the research phase of a project using these two simple-to-use sensors.

On/Off Sensors

• Tapis Sensor 1 Zone / Presence: sensitive panel, based on the principle of a pressure-sensitive mat (switch).
• Buttons / Switches: buttons (on/off sensors) can be connected to all of our interfaces.
• Crocodile Clip Switch: allows for easy and quick experimentation with the creation of switches.
• Buttons / Mat Simulator: this set of 8 buttons (on/off sensors) can be connected to a peripheral mat card or to the digital inputs of a "8 analog inputs / 8 digital" module.

For more details on various switch sensors: see the On/Off page.

Contact Sensors

• FSR Force/Pressure Sensors: used for weight, digital contact, or hand pressure, FSR (Force Sensitive Resistance) sensors. Available in our catalog in square FSR / round FSR / long FSR versions.
• FSR Tiles 1-axis or 2-axis: sensitivity to body posture, FSR sensors.
• Flexible Potentiometer Position / Pressure: uses contact, pressure, and position of contact on the sensitive module.
• Flex / Bend Sensor: curvature of a sensitive element.
• 2-axis Accelerometers / Inclinometers: sensor for motion acceleration and inclination relative to the horizontal.
• Gyroscope: sensor for angular velocity, independent of gravity and position.
• Stretching: uses an elastic sensitive element, sensor for displacement, stretching, and curvature.
• Potentiometers: mechanical sensor or testing tool. The potentiometer is a very simple yet highly adaptable sensor. It can be linear or rotary, single-turn or multi-turn (10 turns here), or even take the form of a mini-joystick.
• Piezoelectric Sensor and Hair Sensor: analog vibration detectors. Small and large diameter discs. Note that these sensors are analog, not triggers. They send a flow of numerous data for each detected vibration, with a maximum depending on the intensity of the detected shock.

Non-contact Sensors

• Light Intensity Sensors: photoelectric sensors or LDR (light dependent resistance). Various sensitivity settings and optics are possible. LDR types include simple LDR / daylight / directive / ultra-directive.
• Proximity Sensor / Proximeter: optical triangulation rangefinder (infra-red), distance measurement. Available in analog RM versions (ranges: 4-30 cm / 10-80 cm / 15-150 cm / 50-550 cm) and on/off ET versions (range 80 cm).
• On/Off Pyroelectric Sensor: heat motion detector (far-infrared), hemispherical lens, 120° angle.
• Analog Pyroelectric Sensor: heat motion detector (far-infrared), detection angles: 30° / 45° / 60° / 180°.
• Adjustable Threshold Pyroelectric Sensor: heat motion detector (far-infrared), detection angles: 45° / 60°.
• Magnetic Sensor: proximity sensor with Hall effect, sensitive to the approach of a magnet.
• Capacitive Detector: on/off proximity detector, can be hidden in an object, sensitive to changes in its environment.
• Sound Volume Sensor: small microphone, envelope detection.
• Breath/Air Pressure Sensor: ambient sensor or used for breath or weight detection.

Sound-related Sensors

• Sound Volume Sensor: small microphone, envelope detection.
• Piezoelectric Sensor and Hair Sensor: analog vibration detectors. Small and large diameter discs.

We have chosen to separate the sensor from its cable to make the system as modular as possible: the extensions can vary in length, from 30 cm to 5 meters, and the connectors can adapt to various interfaces from other manufacturers.

Data acquisition chain: from Sensor to Computer

Data acquisition chain, from the sensor to the computer: sensors, extensions, Midi interfaces, Midi transmission, computer or Midi device.

Wiring order for sensors, extensions, converters

Most of the time, simple sensors are used within software (or a development environment) for real-time event management, such as Pure Data, Max MSP, Isadora, Processing, VVVV, Bidule, EyesWeb. The data from the sensors is received in this software, processed, transformed, and ultimately used to modify sound or visual flows or to trigger events such as sound, video, 3D, light, movement, etc.

The Programming section of the site provides tools and examples to use our equipment with these software environments. These tools are created as requests arise.

Many details can be found on the pages for Receiving Midi Data, which describe common concepts for all real-time management software, as well as the basic Midi objects for each.

Some electrical consumptions in milliAmperes (mA)