SAW-based radio sensor systems for short-range applications

Wireless autonomous surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors offer high flexibility for modern sensor systems. Because no battery or wiring is required for power-supply and communication tasks, they can be advantageously employed for nearly all kinds of short-range identification and measurement applications, where the use of conventional sensors, e.g., on moving or rotating parts or in industrial process chambers. Here, the basics of SAWbased radio sensor systems are reviewed and different examples out of a manifold of possible applications are given. Wireless SAW identification and sensor systems operate stable and maintenance free over many years even in harsh industrial environments. With a fast readout of only a few microseconds, a readout-distance of up to several meters, and a high sensor stability, even at temperatures above 200 (degree)C, these highly flexible SAWbased radio systems are ideally suited for a multitude of measurement tasks in industrial, automotive, transportation, and domestic applications.