What does calibration mean for sensors?

• A. Adjusting readings to match a known standard or reference.
• B. Replacing sensor hardware.
• C. Encrypting sensor data.
• D. Calibrating network time.

Answer: (A)

Calibration means adjusting sensor readings to match a known standard or reference. Over time sensors can drift due to aging, temperature changes, or noise, so their outputs may no longer reflect the true values. The calibration process compares the sensor’s output to precise inputs from a reference, then determines how to correct the readings—often with a simple offset and scale or a more detailed calibration curve. After calibration, future measurements are transformed by that correction so the reported values are accurate under the tested conditions. Calibration can involve one or multiple reference points to account for nonlinearity, and the results are usually traceable to established standards. This is different from hardware replacement, data encryption, or time synchronization, which are separate concerns.