Form 4 theory test 1 – Control systems [30 Marks]

1. A security light system is used by a factory. The light only comes on when it is dark and when movement is
detected. The light will stay on for 1 minute before switching off. Sensors and a microprocessor are used to
control the security light system.

(a) Identify two sensors that would be used in the security light system.

Sensor 1 A motion sensor

Sensor 2 A light sensor [2

]

(b) Describe how the sensors and the microprocessor control the security light system.

First the pre-set conditions are place, so that the light only comes on when it is dark and when movement is
detected. After this, light sensors and motion sensor are put in place and they
continuously monitor these conditions, data from the sensors is passed on to the ADC, which convert data,
from sensor, from analogue to digital. This data can then be pass to the
microprocessor, where it is compared to the pre-set conditions. If it is found that no light was detected by the
light sensor and movement was detected from the motion sensor, this
creates a 1 which leads to the light being turned on. As soon as the light senor detects light, this data is sent to
the micro processor through the ADC, which will convert the data. Light is the detected, so and a timer
starts counting down 1 minute. After the 1 min is over another signal gets sent, to switch off the light.
However, if none of the pre-set conditions are meet, this creates a zero
which does not turn on the light. This is a continuous loop.

Continuously monitor these conditions even when conditions are not necessary met
1 there should be motion
2 it should be dark

Light turned on
Timer of 1 min starts
After 1 min light off
Conditions tested again, light might turn on again or not
Continuous loop.
Infra-red sensor could also be used.

[8
]
2. An electronic game has three square mats that are coloured red, green and blue.

The player will see a colour displayed on a screen and has 1 second to hit the mat that matches the colour. If the player
hits the correct mat, within 1 second, a counter is incremented. When a player hits an incorrect mat, the game ends.

The game uses sensors and a microprocessor to determine if the player hits the correct mat within 1 second.

Explain how the game uses sensors and a microprocessor to count the number of times a player
hits a correct mat within 1 second.

Each game mat will have a pressure sensor under it. So, through a program the microprocessor is able to send
out a signal output indicating a specific mat the player should hit. As soon as this
Signal is sent out a timer on the microprocessor is started for 1 second. The sensors monitor the pressure for
their mat and this data is sent to the ADC, to convert it from analogue to digital.
This is then sent to the microprocessor the through another program, this pressure data is then compared to
the correct pressure data. If the two are similar then a 1 is added to the count value.
If not, then nothing is added to the count value. This is all done while the microprocessor generates the next
specific mat the player should hit. This is a continuous loop.

How does game end- the games ends if player does not push correct mat or takes longer than 1 second.

[7]

3. Sensors and a microprocessor monitor a car exhaust for high temperature and high carbon monoxide (CO)
levels.
(a) Describe how the sensors and microprocessor are used to monitor the temperature and CO levels and
warn the driver if either is out of range.

First pre-set values of suitable levels for temperature and carbon monoxide levels are set. Next, temperature
sensors and CO sensors are placed and monitor these conditions continuously.
This data is then sent to an ADC to turn this data from analogue to digital, which is then sent to the
microprocessor. This is then compared to the pre-set values using a program. If the temperature is
Higher than the pre-set value then a signal is sent out to the driver stating the temp is too high. If the CO
levels are higher than the pre-set value, a signal is then sent out to the driver stating the CO levels are too
high. If both of the conditions fit in the range then no signal is sent out to the driver. This is a continuous
Loop.
 Suggest a light flashing as signal, or a beeping noise for signal

[5]

(b) The information from seven sensors is sent to an engine management system in the car. The status of each
sensor is stored in an 8-bit register; a value of 1 indicates a fault condition:

parity bit CO level voltage airbag

too high too low fault
temperature fuel pressure oil pressure brake pads
too high too low too low too thin

For example, a register showing 01011000 indicates:

• temperature too high

• fuel pressure too low
• voltage too low
(i) Identify the fault condition(s) that the following register indicates:

0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1

This register indicates; CO level too high, oil pressure too low and brake pads too thin

[2]
 ( ii )A car has a faulty airbag and the CO level is too high.

Write what should be contained in the 8-bit register.

1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

[2]

4. A cake factory uses machines to make cakes.

a. Complete the following descriptions of types of system. Write the correct missing term in the spaces.

The factory uses a .... monitory......... system to record data such as the number

of cakes being produced each hour. When the data collected from sensors are analysed and used as

.......feedback...... it is a ...control... system. One example

of this system, used in the factory, is to maintain a constant temperature in the ovens. It uses
a .........temperature sensors .... to measure the values. [4]