Chapter 3

Monitoring and
Control

Cambridge International AS and A Level IT

 Learning Objectives
● Identify a range of different sensors
● Describe how sensors are used in monitoring and control
technologies

● Evaluate using monitoring and control technologies in

everyday life

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SENSORS

3
SENSORS
● A sensor is an input device that records data about the
surrounding physical environment.

● The sensor inputs this data into a computer system to be

processed.

● Once the data has been processed, if necessary, an output

can be triggered as a response.
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SENSORS

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 SENSORS (Function/Working)
● Monitoring and control technologies make use of many different sensors.

● Monitoring technologies use sensors to monitor an environment, often

collecting data about the environment.

● The basic concept behind most monitoring and control systems is very similar.
They will normally go through the following steps:

● The sensor will constantly monitor the surrounding environment

● The data readings from the sensor will normally be analogue. Therefore, they will
be converted to a digital signal for a computer system to process. This is done
by an analogue to digitalconverter 7
 SENSORS (Function/Working)

● The digital signal is then sent to a microprocessor. The microprocessor

processes the value and compares it to a pre-set value or range of values

● If the value is outside the acceptable range, the microprocessor will send a

signal to an actuator t o trigger any action that needs to be taken.

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Types of SENSOR based systems
● Monitoring Applications/Measurement Application

● Control Applications

Monitoring systems are different to control systems regarding their outputs. Control
systems process the data and then make decisions based on the data regarding which
actions to take, as we saw in Chapter 1 in the section on real-time processing.
Monitoring systems only process and record data so that people can see trends in the
changes that are taking place in the environment being monitored.

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 EXAMPLE 1:-
SENSORS (Control Application)
● A light sensor will constantly monitor the level of light present in
the surrounding environment.
● The analogue data from the reading will be converted to a digital value by
an analogue to digital converter.
● The digital signal is sent to a microprocessor and the microprocessor will
compare the value to a pre-setrange.
● If the value is outside the pre-set range, the microprocessors ends a signal to
an actuator that will trigger the action to turn the street light on or off.

● The whole process will then be repeated. 9

 Example1
SENSORS
FLOWCHART

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End
 Example 1 :- SENSORS (Control
Application)
● This is an example of a control system(actuator) at work. It is a control
system as an action is to control an element of the system as a result of the
monitoring that is taking place. A monitoring system outputs results in a
different way.
● Rather than an action being triggered, the results of the readings taken
from the monitoring can be output in the form of graphs or charts.
● This allows the readings to be compared and any patterns or trends to be
identified.

● This information can then be used to inform any future decision making.
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Example 2:- SENSORS(Monitoring/Measuring Application)

● Monitoring systems can be used in scientific experiments (effect of pressure on volume) or

for certain physical processes (Like weather air pressure system). The experiments are often
left to run for periods of time, with a monitoring system taking readings at
regular intervals.
● The readings are then output and can be analysed. This kind of
technology removes the need for a human to regularly take the readings.
● This means that the readings can be taken over long periods of time and can
often bemore accurate if taken by a system.

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 SENSORS(Advantages)
1. Using sensors can also be very beneficial in environments that could be
harmful and dangerous for a human, for example in a nuclear plant to detect
radiation levels, or inside an active volcano to detect changes in activity.

2. Data can be collected 24/7 without any break.

3. Data collected with the help of sensor is more consistent(accurate) because it is

mechanical device.

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 SENSORS(Disadvantages)

1. Sensor are subject to tear and wear so can become faulty and start
recording wrong data.

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 SENSORS(Calibration)
● If sensor is faulty then Its is very dangerous to use inaccurate data.
● To make sure sensor is working fine it is necessary to put sensor
through calibration process.
It is a “Process of testing a device to make sure that it is working
fine”
Methods to calibrate
 Compare with already calibrated device.
 To use other devices like in proximity sensor a scale to measure the
distance.
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SENSORS(Calibration)
Three main result categories of values given by the
Sensors with respect to calibration …..

 Offset: This means that the readings are either higher or lower of
ideal value at constant rate .

 Sensitivity: Reading change over a range, at different rate in

reference to ideal value.

 Linearity: Reading is directly proportional to ideal value.

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Types of Calibration
Three are three main types of calibration

 One point Calibration

 Two point Calibration
 Multipoint Calibration

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 Types of Calibration
 One point Calibration(Used for offset calibration)
When actual value changes from ideal reference value at the same rate.it is linear change

Actual

ideal
Types of Calibration
 Two point Calibration(Used for offset calibration)
When actual value changes from ideal reference value at the different rate
 Types of Calibration
 Multi point Calibration(Used for offset calibration)
When actual value changes from ideal reference value in the form of curve …e.g change in
temperature when liquids getting cool down.
Its nonlinear change.
This is because it is a nonlinear relationship and needs to
be described using a quadratic function of the form
y = ax2 + bx + c, where y is the standardized reading and
x is the reading from the sensor that needs calibration.
 3.3- Monitoring technologies
• Monitoring involves the use of a computer or microprocessor-based device to monitor or measure
physical variables over a period of time.

• It is important to know which sensors would be appropriate in a given situation to measure physical
variables such as light, temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, moisture, sound, blood pressure and
pH, among others.

• A sensor is a device that is used to collect (input) data. The data usually relates to physical changes in the
environment that are being monitored.

• A sensor converts the physical characteristic, such as temperature, light or pressure, into a signal which
can be measured electrically.

• Sensors continually send data back to the computer or microprocessor. Students often misunderstand this
process, with some thinking that sensors send data every few seconds or even minutes or that sensors
only send data when there is a change in the environment.
 3.3 Monitoring technologies

• Most sensors used in monitoring systems are analogue, which means the data sent
to the computer is in analogue form.

• However, the computer can only process data in digital form, so the data has to be
converted using an analogue to-digital converter (ADC).

• This is so the computer, which can only understand digital data, is able to process it.
The output from the system is usually on a screen or printed out, but can be a
warning sound if the monitoring that is taking place is critical, for example an
overheating nuclear reactor.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Sensors
(Monitoring Applications)

Sensor can tear and wear off as result will produced

wrong data
That can be located only at the calibration process.
 I. MOTION SENSORS
● A motion sensor detects movement. It can do this either passively or actively.
● A passive motion sensor reads the energy in its surrounding environment and
detects changes caused bymovement.
● An active motion sensor emits energy into the surrounding environment to detect
any movement.
● An example of a passive motion sensor is a "passive infrared sensor". This is a
sensor that detects the presence of infrared energy if it appears in its surrounding
environment. An example of an active motion sensor is a microwave sensor.
● This is a sensor that emits microwaves and detects the changes in the reflection it
receives back when bouncing off nearby objects.
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 a. PASSIVE INFRARED SENSORS

● Passive infrared sensors are commonly used in

security systems. These sensors are normally
wall mounted in the corner of a room. As an
intruder walks in front of a sensor, the sensor
detects the infrared energy emitted by the
intruder.

● The detection of infrared energy by the sensor

can then trigger an alarm tosound.

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 b. ACTIVE INFRARED SENSORS

● Active motion sensors can also be used in

security systems.

● A microwave sensor continuously emits

microwaves into a room.

● As an intruder walks through the microwaves,

they will be reflected back much more quickly
to the sensor and it will detect the change.

● This change in reflection of the microwaves can

then cause an alarm tosound. 26
USE OF MOTION SENSORS
● CCTV systems, to move and focus the
camera to the direction of motion that is
detected

● Opening and closing automaticdoors

● Automatically turning lights on or off in a

room when a person enters or leaves

● Automatically turning water taps on or off

● Automated barriers in a car park. 27

Discussion

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 II. PRESSURE SENSORS(piezoresistance)
● A pressure sensor measures pressure, normally of a liquid or a gas. The
measure of pressure is based upon the force it takes to stop a liquid or gas
from expanding.
● Most modern pressure sensors use a principal called piezoresistance. In
piezoresistance, a specific level of pressure is linked to a specific level of
charge through a substance.
● If a change in the level of charge is detected, this is interpreted as a change in
pressure.
● Pressure sensors can be used in things such as pipes
to measure the flow of liquid or gas through them, to make
sure they do not flow too quickly. 29
PRESSURE SENSORS
● Pressure sensors can be used in many different monitoring
and control technologies. These include:

● The Vehicle Industry

● Chemical and nuclear plants
● Aviation and marineindustry
● Touch screens 30
DISCUSSION
●

Home Work

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iii- MOISTURE & HUMIDITY SENSORS
● Humidity sensors monitor and measure the humidity that is in the air.
● To monitor the humidity they measure both the moisture and temperature in the air.

● "The percentage of moisture present in the air at a certain temperature is

expressed as the level of humidity". Humidity sensors normally use capacitive
measurement.
● This type of measurement uses two electrical
conductors that have a non-conductive film
separating them.
● Moisture collects on the film and changes the level
of voltage between the electrical conductors.
● The measurement of the change in voltage is
converted into a measurement of humidity.
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● https://youtu.be/lp2S_7ygabo
 iii- MOISTURE & HUMIDITY SENSORS
● Humidity sensors can be used both in the home and the workplace to monitor
and control humidity levels, including:

● Wine cellars

● Meteorological stations

● Controlling allergies

● Manufacturing

● Agriculture and farming

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 iv- TEMPERATURE SENSORS
Temperature sensors monitor and measure the temperature of an environment.
They do this by measuring how much heat is present. Temperature sensors are
used in a great number of control systems, many of them in our home appliances.
These include:

● Washing machine and dishwasher

● Dryer
● Refrigerator and freezer
● Air conditioner
● Electric /gas oven
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TEMPERATURE SENSORS

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 v- LIGHT SENSORS
● Light sensors monitor and measure light. There are different types of light sensor
and they measure light in differentways.
● The most common type of light sensor is a photoresistor. This type of light
sensor will change its resistance when light shines on and is normally used to
measure the intensity of light.
● This is important in devices such as digital cameras or street lights. The camera
can adjust the level of flash needed depending on the level of light currently
detected by the light sensor.

● A street light can detect when it gets dark enough to need to switch the light on.
● Light sensors can be used in many different devices including barcode scanners,
display screens, automated lighting systems and smartphones.
TASK
●

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 vi- Sound
● These sensors convert sound waves into voltages or electrical
signals.

● which are converted by the computer into values to represent sound.

● Sound sensors can be used in environmental monitoring systems to measure

noise pollution.
 vii- Oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, turbidity
• These are sensors used in environmental monitoring and water pollution monitoring.
• Oxygen (O2) sensors measure the level of oxygen in soil and water.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors measure the level of carbon dioxide in the air or in
water.
• PH sensors measure the acidity of soil and acidity in rivers, lakes, etc.
• They are very similar to a simple battery and generate electricity depending on the
number of hydrogen ions in the solution, which causes an electrode to generate a
voltage.
• Turbidity sensors measure the cloudiness of water in a river that is affected by
pollution. A turbidity sensor is actually a light sensor usually placed at right angles to a
light emitter. The greater the number of particles in the water, the greater the amount
of light reflected off them on to the sensor
Uses of monitoring technologies
Uses of monitoring technologies
Uses of monitoring technologies
Uses of monitoring technologies
Uses of monitoring technologies
H.W
 3.4. Control technologies
• Control system monitoring the environment and taking corrective actions to keep
preset values.
• Control systems use real-time processing.
• They make use of actuators to control devices, although some devices are actuators
in their own right, such as a motor. Unlike in monitoring systems, in control systems
the output affects the input. For example, think about a room’s temperature as being
controlled by a microprocessor connected to a temperature sensor and a heater. The
temperature is input by the sensor to the microprocessor. If the temperature is
below a certain value, the microprocessor sends a signal to the heater to switch on,
which is the output. The heater being on causes the temperature to rise which means
the input value has now changed, so the output has obviously affected the input.
Control systems involve continuous processes.