sensor

sense organ   n.  A specialized organ or structure, such as the eye, ear, tongue, nose, or skin, where sensory neurons are concentrated and that functions as a receptor. Also called sensor.

sensor  (n.)

Main Entry: sen·sor
Pronunciation: 'sen-"so(&)r, 'sen(t)-s&r
Function: noun
: a device that responds to a physical stimulus (as heat, light,sound, pressure, magnetism, or a particular motion) and transmits a resulting impulse (as for measurement or operating a control); also : SENSE ORGAN

sensor sen·sor (sěn'sər, -sôr')
n.

1. A device, such as a photoelectric cell, that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus.

2. See sense organ.

sensor hardware
An electronic device used to measure a physical quantity such as temperature, pressure or loudness and convert it into an electronic signal of some kind (e.g a voltage). Sensors are normally components of some larger electronic system such as a computer control and/or measurement system.
Analog sensors most often produce a voltage proportional to the measured quantity. The signal must be converted to digital form with a ADC before the CPU can process it.
Digital sensors most often use serial communication such as EIA-232 to return information directly to the controller or computer through a serial port.
(1997-04-15)