Sensor Test

The Description of Sensor Test

Site Editorial Commentary：Application for testing sensors

Easily test and monitor the sensors on your Android smartphone with Sensor Test! This comprehensive app allows you to quickly check the functionality of various sensors and view their data in real-time.

Supported sensors:
- Accelerometer: Measures acceleration along the x, y, and z axes (m/s^2). Useful for screen orientation, gaming, and more. Test: Tilt the device and observe the ball movement in the football test.
- Light sensor: Measures ambient light intensity (lux). Used for automatic brightness adjustment. Test: Observe the lamp's glow as you increase or decrease illumination.
- Proximity sensor: Measures the distance to nearby objects (cm). Often used to turn off the screen during phone calls. Test: Cover the sensor to turn off the light.
- Magnetometer: Measures magnetic field strength along three axes (mT). Essential for compass apps and metal detection. Test: Bring the device near a metal object and observe the value increase.
- Gyroscope: Measures the rate of rotation around the x, y, and z axes (rad/s). Used in camera apps for panoramas and other multimedia applications. Test: View the graph of rotation speed as you move the device.
- Barometer (pressure sensor): Measures atmospheric pressure (mbar or mm Hg). Test: Observe the pressure value on the scale.
- Compass: Displays the direction based on the magnetometer readings.

The app uses a simple color-coded indicator system: a green indicator signifies that the sensor is registered in the system, while a red indicator means it is not. If a sensor displays "no data," it may indicate that the device lacks that particular sensor or that the sensor is malfunctioning.

If all sensors fail to report data, it may indicate a communication problem with the sensor service, often occurring after a firmware update. note that sensor functionality may vary across different apps.

The app displays the total number of available sensors, and tapping this number reveals a detailed list. You can test each sensor individually with a graph view for in-depth analysis.

Sensor Test is also a valuable tool for developers working on custom kernels, providing insights into sensor behavior and data.

Details:
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Accelerometer
- Measures acceleration along three axes x, y, z; units measurement: m/s^2

When oriented along the axis, the normal value is equal to the gravitational acceleration (g = ~ 9.8 m/s^2).
With the horizontal position of the device, the values along the axes: z = ~ 9.8 m/s^2, x = 0, y = 0).

Practice:
Used to automatically change the orientation of the screen when you rotate the device, in games, etc.

Description of test:
Test football. When the device is tilted, the ball should move in the direction of inclination. Try to score the ball into the goal.

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Light sensor
- measures illumination; units measurements: lux.

Practice:
Used to automatically adjust the brightness (auto brightness)

Description of test:
Test with lamp. When increasing the illumination, the glow around the lamp changes from white to bright yellow.
Move device to the light or, on the contrary, go into a dark room.
Approximate typical values: room - 150 lux, office - 300 lux, sunny day - 10,000 lux and above.

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Proximity sensor
- measures the distance between the device and the object; units measurement: cm.
On many devices, available only two values are available: “far” and “close”.

Practice:
Used to turn off the screen when you call by phone.

Description of test:
Test with lamp. Close the sensor by hand, the light goes out, open - light up.

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Magnetometer
- measures the magnetic field readings in three axes. The resulting value is calculated based on them; units measure: mT

Practice:
For programs like compass.

Description of test:
Scale with level, which showing the current value. Move device close to a metal object, the value should increase.

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Gyroscope
- measures the speed of rotation of the device around the three axes x, y, z; units measurement: rad/s

Practice:
Used in various multimedia programs. For example, in a camera app to create panoramas.

Description of test:
Shows a graph of the speed of rotation along the x, y, z axes. When stationary, values tend to 0.

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Barometer (pressure sensor)
- measures atmospheric pressure; units measuring: mbar or mm Hg. (switch in settings)

Description of test:
Scale with level, which showing the current value of pressure.

Normal atmospheric pressure:
100 kPa = 1000 mbar = ~ 750 mm Hg.