Sensor Tape is a modular and dense sensor network in a form factor of a tape. It represents an innovative approach to creating distributed sensing systems in a flexible and adaptable format.
Understanding Sensor Tape
Based on the provided reference, Sensor Tape isn't just a simple strip with a single sensor. Instead, it is defined as a sophisticated network:
- Modular and Dense: It integrates many sensing capabilities closely together in a compact design.
- Tape Form Factor: Its physical shape is that of a tape, making it potentially easy to apply to surfaces or integrate into structures.
Composition of Sensor Tape
The tape is built from specific components that enable its functionality:
- It is composed of interconnected and programmable sensor nodes. This means individual sensing units are linked together and can be programmed to perform specific tasks.
- These nodes reside on a flexible electronics substrate. This flexibility is key to its tape-like form factor, allowing it to potentially bend or conform to different shapes.
Sensing Capabilities
A core feature highlighted is its self-sensing ability:
- Orientation Sensing: Each sensor node within the tape can detect its own orientation. This is achieved with an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a common component for measuring motion and orientation.
- Deformation Self-Sensing: Because each node can sense its orientation, the entire tape is capable of allowing deformation self-sensing. This means the tape can detect how it is bending, twisting, or changing shape along its length.
In essence, Sensor Tape combines the convenience of a tape's physical form with the power of a dense, interconnected network of sensors, specifically designed with the capability to understand its own physical state and deformation.
