Linearity refers to how closely a sensor’s analog output approximates a straight line across the measuring range. The more linear the sensor’s measurements, the more consistent the measurements across the full range of the sensor. Linearity of 0.5 mm means that the greatest variance in measurement across the sensor’s range is ± 0.5 mm.
In other words, linearity is the maximum deviation between an ideal straight-line measurement and the actual measurement. In analog applications, if you can teach the near and far points, the accuracy of the sensor display is less important than how linear the output is. This is because the more linear, the more the output shows the correct change along a line of measurement.
For example, say a target is placed 100 mm away from two sensors, and both sensors are taught at 100 mm and 200 mm. At 100 mm, Sensor A measures 100 mm and Sensor B measures 110 mm. At 200 mm, Sensor A measures 200, and Sensor B measures 210. The target is then moved to 150 mm away from the sensors. Sensor A measures 153 mm, and Sensor B measures 160 mm.
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