Centralized Control Systems

7.1.1 Discuss a range of control systems

IB Subtopic

A control system is one or more devices that guide other devices or systems. This allows for the completion of various tasks in an automatic manner, without any human intervention.

Control Systems are input -> process -> output -> feedback systems. The input and feedback will come from sensors and the process will be an algorithm that calculates values to be output.

There is a range of possible control systems in everyday life:

• Heating Systems
• Taxi Meters
• Elevators
• Washing Machines
• Device Drivers
• Domestic Robots
• GPS Systems
• Traffic Lights

Analyzing a Control System

The course guide mentions that technical knowledge of specific systems is not expected but students should be able to analyze a specified system.

GPS system:

Input – a sensor locates the position of the satellites it will communicate with.
Process – an algorithm takes the positions of the satellites and calculates the location of the device holding the sensor.
Output – The user sees its location on the screen, it can then give feedback inputting the location he/she wants to go to.
Feedback – The device receives new information and loops back to the input phase.

Domestic Robots:

Input – a cleaning robot will map its current environment through infrared sensors.
Process – taking into account where it has been and it calculates where it should go next.
Output – move and clean the desired path
Feedback – sensors will know when the robot has hit something, this will cause a new calculation to be made.