Lesson 1: Automotive Sensors

In this lesson students will explore different types of sensors and learn about four areas within a car that use sensor technology, including parking distance control, digital compasses, night vision and car temperature regulation. They will learn how sensors respond to physical or chemical triggers, such as pressure, temperature or distance, and convert them into an electrical signal.

At the end of this lesson students should be able to:

• Describe the operation of a Hall sensor
• Describe the operation of an inductive sensor
• Describe the operation of an ultrasonic transducer
• Test ultrasonic transducers for correct operation
• Explain the operation of the digital compass
• Explain the operation of the night vision system
• Describe and test coolant temperature sensors