Smart sensors for industrial applications

Gives a short history of “smart” in relation to the field of instrumentation. Defines the boundaries and suggests that a smart component should incorporate some combination of the elements of an application system which includes some element of control, computation or decision making. It should also enhance the functionality, performance or exit of the end system. Presents a number of examples of smart functionality and smart components and concludes that suppliers of sensors and actuators will take a leading role in the smart revolution.