A Modified Impedance-Frequency Converter for Inexpensive Inductive and Resistive Sensor Applications
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Flying Insect Detection and Classification with Inexpensive Sensors
Published on: October 15, 2014
1Institute of Metrology and Biomedical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 02-525 Warsaw, Poland. nowicki@mchtr.pw.edu.pl.
Abstract:
In this paper an exceptionally simple transducer is presented that is developed for experimental and custom-made sensors with inductive or resistive impedance output. It is based on a venerable 555 Integrated Circuit in a modified astable configuration. Due to single supply 5 V operation, it is directly compatible with most modern microcontroller systems, such as the popular Arduino platform. Various exemplary sensor characteristics are presented, including displacement, force, magnetic field, temperature and light sensing applications. While the transducer is not designed for high accuracy, it allows for fast and inexpensive application of various experimental sensors, such as magnetoelastic or GMI (Giant Magneto Impedance) sensors.
Related Concept Videos
Impedance Combination
Impedances and Admittance
Impedance is a measure of resistance to sinusoidal current flow in an AC circuit. Unlike their behavior in DC circuits, where inductors appear as short circuits and capacitors as open circuits, the behavior of these components in AC...
Frequency-dependent Selection
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Resistivity
Resistance

