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Discuss a range of control systems. A variety of control systems should be examined such as automatic doors, heating systems, taxi meters, elevators, washing machines, process control, device drivers, domestic robots, GPS systems, traffic lights and other common devices. Technical knowledge of specific systems is not expected but students should be able to analyse a specified system.
Outline the uses of microprocessors and sensor input in control systems. These should be related to the examples suggested above.
Evaluate different input devices for the collection of data in specified situations. Scenarios will be based on familiar situations to students.
Explain the relationship between a sensor, the processor and an output transducer. Technical hardware details are not expected.
Describe the role of feedback in a control system.
Discuss the social impacts and ethical considerations associated with the use of embedded systems. For example, tagging prisoners, surveillance, CCTV, improved safety systems.
Compare a centrally controlled system with a distributed system. Technical hardware details are not expected.
Outline the role of autonomous agents acting within a larger system. Technical hardware details are not expected.
Compare a centrally controlled system with a distributed system.
Outline the rold of autonomous agents acting withing a larger system.
Terms:
A control System is an organization of parts that when connected together influences or modifies a process. Automated control systems are used for efficiency, accuracy and reliability. E.g. in controlling the heating of water, a sensor is used to determine the temperature, a controller is used to control and compute then issue a command to a control element that does the actual task such as closing a valve or lowering the thermostat.
A microprocessor is an integrated computer circuit (chip) that performs the functions of a CPU such as calculations and data processing.
A distributed control system refers to a control system usually of a manufacturing system, process or any dynamic system where the controller elements are not central in location (like the brain) but are distributed throughout the system with each component system controlled by one or more controllers.
Sensors are input devices that measure physical quantities in analogue data. There are sensors for a lot of conditions such as temperature, pressure, sound, humidity. They will send this signal to the CPU, after a ADC. For example:
A temperature sensor in a building to maintain a specific temperature.
A security alarm system may have infra-red and pressure plates to sense movement in an environment.
Magnetic sensors are used to detect metal and can be placed in roads to monitor traffic flow.
Resources:
Videos:
Control Systems (open loop - close loop): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPyh1F-_kpg
Feedback control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7KqSm3pfMI - no need to know the formulas, just get the general idea.
Websites:
Control Systems: http://compsci2014.wikispaces.com/Topic+7+Control
How washing macines, elevators, automatic doors, traffic lights and GPS works: http://compsci2014.wikispaces.com/7.1.1+Discuss+a+range+of+control+systems.
Autonomous Agents: http://natureofcode.com/book/chapter-6-autonomous-agents/
Feedback control: http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/mastascu/econtrolhtml/intro/intro1.html
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