what are control systems?
one or more devices that guide other devices or systems
what do control systems allow?
allow for the completion of various tasks in an automatic manner through an input, process, output system
what may control systems include
- sensors - to gain feedback from the environment
- motors - control any actuators in an appropriate manner
example of a control system and how it works
automatic doors:
- sensors uses infrared or microwave signals that bounce off objects to determine motion
- sensor forwards signal to microprocessor
interrupt definition
a signal sent to the control system indicating that the system needs to attend to the specific signal immediatel y
process control definition
the control the control of one or more variables in a system
example of open loop feedback
a tank with a manual value that controls the heat dissipated by a coil used to heat the liquid in the tank
example of open loop feedback
a tank with a manual value that controls the heat dissipated by a coil used to heat the liquid in the tank
example of closed-loop feedback
the actual temperature of the liquid is detected using temperature sensors and the coil temperature is adjusted to achieve the desired liquid temperature
device drivers definition
computer programs used to control a computer device of any kind
what do device drivers allow
allow operating systems and other programs to access the devices with a layer of abstraction
what makes device drivers so efficient
they are operating system specific
limitation of device drivers
they are hardware-dependent
why are heating systems good
- allows for the conservation of energy
- have the potential to connect to the internet
properties of a taxi meter system
- seat sensors used to prevent taxi drivers not using taxi meters
- credit cards supported, radio communication, GPS system
how have taxi meter systems developed
they have become more efficient, less error prone and automatic
elevator
- controlled by computer-operated control systems
- load sensor and motion sensor
- interrupts through stop button
washing machine
- sensors used for load size, water level, temperature
- user interface
how are washing machines more developed
they are safer since the door is controlled by a computer systems
domestic robots
vacuum:
- cameras to create house maps, using landmarks
- returns to charging base when necessary
- sensors detecting materials
- closed feedback loop
GPS systems
- satellites that orbit the earth that are “fail safes”
- sensors that detect the closest satellites
- trilateration
types of traffic light control systems
- fixed time
- dynamic control
fixed time control systems
- open loop control systems
- change colour after a given period of time and repeat
- does not necessarily need a computer system
dynamic control
- closed-loop control system
- feedback on traffic
- sensors can be embedded into the surface or mounted on the traffic light
