 - A transducer is an electronic device that converts energy from one form to another. Common examples include microphones, loudspeakers, thermometers, position and pressure sensors, and antenna.Although not generally thought of as transducers, photocells, LEDs (light-emitting diodes), and even common light bulbs are transducers.Efficiency is an important consideration in any transducer.Transducer efficiency is defined as the ratio of the power output in thedesired form tothe total power input. Mathematically, if P represents thetotal powerinput and Q represents the power output in the desired form, thenthe efficiency E,as a ratio between 0 and 1, is given by: E = Q/P If E% represents the efficiency as apercentage, then: E% = 100Q/P No transducer is 100-percent efficient; some power isalways lost in the conversion process. Usually this loss is manifested in the form ofheat. Some antennas approach 100-percent efficiency. A well-designed antennasupplied with 100 watts of radio frequency (RF) power radiates 80 or 90 watts in the form of an electromagnetic field.A few watts are dissipated as heat in the antenna conductors, the feed lineconductors and dielectric, and in objects near the antenna. Among the worsttransducers, in terms of efficiency, are incandescent lamps. A 100-watt bulb radiates onlya few watts in the form of visible light. Most of the power is dissipated as heat; a small amount is radiated in the UV (ultraviolet) spectrum.
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18 May 2007
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