● Control systems: a device or set of devices that controls, manages, commands,
directs, or regulates the behavior of other devices or systems.
- Some sensor or electrical input is processed to generate some output
★ Components include: microprocessor, sensor, actuator
Input → process → output
1. Microprocessor: an integrated circuit (chip) that contains all the functions of a
computer's CPU (arithmetic, logical, and control operations).
- It accepts electrical signals, processes, and outputs different signals.
- Performs calculations and data processing.
2. Transducers: converts one form of energy into another.
- Sensors and actuators are both transducers.
3. Sensors: a type of device which detects or measures a physical property and
records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it.
- Heat, humidity, infrared, light, pH, pressure, smoke, sound, tilt, touch.
4. Actuator: converts input energy of one form to another.
- Input energy is usually an electrical signal that is converted to physical
motion.
- Requires a control device (which emits a control signal) and a source of
energy.
→ LED/ light bulb, heater, motor, pump, buzz/bell/siren
5. Analog-to-digital converter (ADC): converts analog data from sensors to digital
data, which can be read by computers.
IPO (input-Process-Output) model
1. Sensors take analog input and convert to digital data.
2. Digital data is processed by the microprocessor, to output different digital
data.
3. Transducers turn this digital data into some sort of physical motion.
● What is feedback?
- If either the output or some form of the output is utilized as part of the system
input.
1. Open Loop System (feedback loops): doesn't take feedback into account, repeats
same action based on input.
- ie: TV remote control, light bulb, coffee machine, toaster.
2. Closed loop system (feedback loops): takes feedback into account, including output
and possibly other factors external to the system.
- Correct errors in output by using feedback loop
- ie: home thermostat, airplane autopilot.