Generally speaking, a sensor is a device that detects events or quantitative changes and provides an output signal of some kind. Often, many sensors are connected to a central system which is therefore named a "sensor system".

 

Sensors are used in many everyday objects such as touch-sensitive lift buttons and lamps which dim or brighten with a touch to the base, besides innumerable applications of which many people are never aware. With advances in micromachinery and easy-to-use microcontroller platforms, the use of sensors has expanded beyond the more traditional fields of temperature, pressure or flow measurement, for example into magnetic, angular rate and acceleration sensors. Applications include manufacturing and machinery, aeroplanes and aerospace, cars, medicine and robotics. 

 

The data output from these sensors is often collected by a centralised system using some kind of communication channel, which can be wireless or wired. The central system can then make decisions based on analysis of the collected data. 

 

Sensors can be simple devices without any computer-like architecture with an OS. To communicate, a local device named sensor hub, edge, controller or gateway unit is often installed. These devices control and communicate with all the sensors in near vincinity and relay their output to the centralised system.  More intelligent and advanced sensors may have their own communication infrastructure. 

 

The FourC Groovy M2M Cloud System is the perfect match for both sensor controllers and hubs and for "intelligent" sensors. The platform supports all the default features like asset management, device history, location and positioning, application management, failure detection and security. Additionally, the FourC Groovy M2M Cloud System supports typical sensor system protocols like DASH7, BLE, 6LoWPAN and ZigBee. Drivers for the most popular computer-connectable sensor devices are also available. All this makes new developments for sensor systems and the deployment of them a breeze.