Position sensors are used in so many ways and in so many industries that it is almost impossible to capture all the usage. The variety is mindboggling and the number of usages and possibilities of usage are simply enormous.

Linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) are used in maintaining crank shaft balance to provide linear position feedback. Manufacturers of automated load testing equipment utilize LVDTs in their machines to help test soil. With the help of LVDTs the medical pills manufactures ensure that each pressed tablet is correctly made to a predetermined thickness and weight. Used in brain surgery the LVDT accurately monitors the position of the probe as it’s used to carefully place electrodes in the targeted area.

All the above usages are just to give you a glimpse into the vast world of position sensors.

These position sensors or LVDTs are made with a stationary coil assembly and a moveable core and operate on the principle of a transformer. They measure placement by associating a specific signal value to the position of the core. They create a wave for the main output signal and then demodulate the other output signal. The demodulated output is then passed through a lowpass filter in order to remove the high frequency ripple. The resulting output comes as a DC voltage which is proportional to core displacement.