Control systems
Sensors: Devices that convert a real world property e.g. light, sound, temperature into data that a computer can process. Examples include: light, temperature, pressure.
ADC’s (Analogue to Digital Converters): Used to convert the data from a sensor (analogue) into data that the computer can process (digital)
Actuators (output devices): A device controlled by a computer that can affect the real-world e.g. Light bulbs (and LED’s), heaters, motors, buzzers / bells / sirens
In an alarm system you find input devices including pressure sensors and movement sensors and output devices including light bulbs and sirens
In a greenhouse, you find sensors for light, temperature and moisture and actuators including heaters, fans, lights and water sprayers
A preset value is the value already stored in a computer e.g. the desired temperature for a greenhouse. If the temperature in a greenhouse falls below the preset value then a heater might be switched on to raise the temperature. If the temperature is above the preset value then a window may be opened.
Control systems are often used because:
• They are more accurate than humans
• They can respond to change quicker
• They are cheaper (in the long run)
Robots are a type of control system used in factories but you should remember that:
• Jobs will be lost as people are replaced by robots and there will be less manual jobs to do
• More technical staff will be employed to operate and maintain the robots
• Employees are likely to be retrained to work with the robots
Sensors: Devices that convert a real world property e.g. light, sound, temperature into data that a computer can process. Examples include: light, temperature, pressure.
ADC’s (Analogue to Digital Converters): Used to convert the data from a sensor (analogue) into data that the computer can process (digital)
Actuators (output devices): A device controlled by a computer that can affect the real-world e.g. Light bulbs (and LED’s), heaters, motors, buzzers / bells / sirens
In an alarm system you find input devices including pressure sensors and movement sensors and output devices including light bulbs and sirens
In a greenhouse, you find sensors for light, temperature and moisture and actuators including heaters, fans, lights and water sprayers
A preset value is the value already stored in a computer e.g. the desired temperature for a greenhouse. If the temperature in a greenhouse falls below the preset value then a heater might be switched on to raise the temperature. If the temperature is above the preset value then a window may be opened.
Control systems are often used because:
• They are more accurate than humans
• They can respond to change quicker
• They are cheaper (in the long run)
Robots are a type of control system used in factories but you should remember that:
• Jobs will be lost as people are replaced by robots and there will be less manual jobs to do
• More technical staff will be employed to operate and maintain the robots
• Employees are likely to be retrained to work with the robots