Tactile sensing with minimal wiring complexity

We describe a principle for tactile sensing which allows acquisition of data from a sensor array using a single wire, The basic idea is to construct the sensor array as a filter. Sensor excitation changes filter characteristics, and can be recovered through the filter's impulse response. The method is also applicable to distributed sensor arrays of other scalar fields than mechanical pressure, such as heat, proximity, or radiation. We discuss the general principle, together with theoretical analysis and experimental data for a particular design.