Topic 7) Control

Question 1

What is a Control System?

Answer 1

A device, or set of devices that control, manage, command, direct or regulate the behaviour of other devics or systems.

Question 2

What are the Advantages of Control Systems?

Answer 2

Computers can respond much more quickly than humans
Control systems can run without breaks (24 hours, 365/366 days a year)
Control Systems are less error prone than humans
Control systems can be planed in an environment hazardous to humans

Question 3

What are the Disadvantages of Control Systems?

Answer 3

Technical Malfunctions can occur
Cannot react to unexpected events
Relies on a consistent supply of electricity
Could be more expensive than a human solution

Question 4

What are the components of Control Systems?

Answer 4

Microprocessors
Sensors
Actuators

Question 5

What are Microprocessors?

Answer 5

An integrated circuit that contains all the functions of a computer’s CPU
Performs calculations and data processing

Question 6

What is a Sensor?

Answer 6

A device which detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates or otherwise responds to it

Question 7

What is an example of a Sensor?

Answer 7

Heat
Humidity
Infrared
Light
pH
Pressure
Smoke
Sound
Tilt
Touch

Question 8

What is an Actuator?

Answer 8

Part of a device or machine that helps it to achieve physical movements by converting energy
A device that moves or controls a mechanism.

Question 9

What are some examples of Actuators?

Answer 9

Opening doors on a bus.
Opening a car window.
Locking the car doors

Question 10

What is a Transducer?

Answer 10

Converts one form of energy into another

Question 11

True or False?
Sensors and Actuators are both transducers

Answer 11

True!

Question 12

What are ADC Converters?

Answer 12

Analog-to-Digital converters.
They convert analog data from sensors into digital data, which can be read by computers.

Question 13

What is IPO Model?

Answer 13

Input-Process-Output Model.
1) Sensors take in analog input and convert them into digital
2) Digital data is processed by the microprocessor, to output different digital data
3) Transducers turn this digital data into a form of physical motion

Question 14

What is Feedback?

Answer 14

If either the output, or some form of it is utilised as part of the system input, then it is known as feedback.

Question 15

What are some examples of Feedback Loops?

Answer 15

Open Loop System
Closed Loop System
Negative Feedback Loop
Positive Feedback Loop

Question 16

What is an Open Loop System?

Answer 16

Doesn’t take feedback into account, repeats the same action over and over again based on an input.
ie, TV Remote Control, Light Bulb, Coffee Machine, Toaster

Question 17

What is a Closed Loop System?

Answer 17

Takes feedback into account, including output and possible other factors that are external to the system
Corrects errors by using feedback loop to alter subsequent inputs
ie, Home Thermostat, Airplane Autopilot

Question 18

What is a Negative Feedback Loop?

Answer 18

A system in which feedback is given in order to reduce fluctuation in subsequent output
Tries to move the output closer to the ‘target value’
ie, internal body temperature regulation

Question 19

What is a Positive Feedback Loop?

Answer 19

Enhances or amplified changes in output to move a system further away from the ‘target value’.
ie, global warming

Question 20

What is a centralised system?

Answer 20

All components within the system are controlled by a central processing unit.

Question 21

What are the Advantages of centralised systems?

Answer 21

Easier to maintain and troubleshoot
More control

Question 22

What are the disadvantages of centralised systems?

Answer 22

If main sensor/controller/actuator fails, the whole system fails
Less power
Less flexibility

Question 23

What is a Distributed System?

Answer 23

Different components are controlled by a number of different processing units located throughout the system- all working towards a common goal

Question 24

What are the advantages of a distributed system?

Answer 24

Shared processing load
More reliability
Flexibility

Question 25

What are the disadvantages of distributed systems?

Answer 25

Harder to maintain
More complex software required

Question 26

What is an Autonomous Agent?

Answer 26

“… are software programs which respond to states and events in their environment independent from direct instruction by the user or owner of the agent, but acting on behalf and in the interest of the owner”

Question 27

What are the 4 characteristics of Autonomous Agents?

Answer 27

1) Autonomy - Can independently select tasks in order to achieve an overarching goal
2) Reactive - Senses environment and reacts based on the input
3) Concurrency/Sociality - Can interact with other agents cooperatively, competitively, or in coordination
4) Persistence - An agent consistently acts in pursuit of its goal