Proximity Sensor

The main function of this proximity sensor is to detect how close your smartphone's screen is to
your body. When you use your smartphone, it detects the position of ear with respect to screen
and turns off the light of screen and saves battery. Also proximity sensor stops the accidental
touch, unwanted input during talk. This sensor also detects the signal strength, interference
sources and amplify or filter by use of Beam Forming Technique. Thus, in a nutshell, proximity
sensor detect the presence of body like cheek, face or ear and stops the web surfing, music or
video during talk/calling and save the battery. After the conversation, it resumes the same
function which was stopped earlier during talk.
GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor

GPS short form of Global Positioning System, originally developed and setup for military operations
and was made available for everyone in 1980s by Government. GPS is a system which tracks the
target or 'navigate' the things by map or picture with the help of GPS satellites. Nowadays
smartphones come with assisted GPS or A-GPS which does the same work with the help of
intermediate server in case of disconnection with main GPS satellite. iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, HTC
One, HTC Droid DNA, HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy series smartphones, Sony Xperia, Nokia
Lumia 620,820,920 and 822 and many more smartphones support GLONASS (Globalnaya
Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema) GPS system for navigation purpose.



Ambient Light Sensor

This sensor optimize the light of screen when it exposed to normal light with different intensity.
Ultimate function of ambient light sensor is to adjust the display brightness, which at the end
saves the battery power and life too. Ambient light sensor senses and adjust the light based on
principle of "superposition". They contains photo diodes which are sensitive to different spectrum
of light and combined mathematical effect adjusts the gain and output changes of the light
intensity on the screen.

ACCELEROMETER
The main function of accelerometer is to sense the changes in the orientation of smartphone with
respect to datum and adjust the orientation to suits the viewing angle of operator. For example,
when you are looking for web-page with increased width, you can get this landscape view from
changing the orientation of phone to horizontal. Similarly camera mode also changes the portrait
to landscape or landscape to portrait mode when we change the orientation of phone/camera.
Ultimately this accelerometer sensor sense the change in orientation by 3D (X,Y & Z axis)
measurement of acceleration of the device with respect to free fall. One can better use this
feature/sensor while playing racing games where he/she can steer the car in the desired direction
by leaning the phone in that direction.
Compass

We all know that the function of compass is to give right direction with respect to the
north-south pole of earth by use of magnetism. But due to interference in
communication, smartphone does not use the magnet as one of the component in
compass sensor but it uses new technology which does the same work as conventional
compass does. If ultra low frequency signal coming from specific direction like North or
South and with the help of accelerometer, the sensor can calculate the orientation and
direction. This can be possible by 'Hall effect'. Thus, by use of multiple sensors put
across different orientation and using disk/magnetic concentrator (with high
permeability material)which bends the lines of magnetic field which are parallel to the
plane of sensor plane this can be attained.
Gyros or Gyroscope

This sensor's function is to maintain and control the position, level or orientation based on the
principle of angular momentum. When 'Gyros' used along with accelerometer senses motion from
six axes i.e. right, left, up, down, forward and backward. It also detects the roll, pitch and yaw
motions. Yaw, Roll and Pitch are the angular moments seen from three axes i.e. X, Y and Z. Using
MEMS(Micro Electrical and Mechanical System) technology, (iPhone 4 uses this technology)
gyroscopic sensors helps in navigation purpose and detecting the gesture recognition systems
used in smartphones and tablets.
Back-Illuminated sensor

Back-illuminated sensor is one of the new feature that every camera contains. It is a type of digital
image sensor which changes or increase the light captured while capturing a photograph. Earlier it
was designed for security cameras and astronomical purposes. Sony is the first company to
implement this technology in 2009.