PROGRAM : INTERGRATED TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

MODULE : CONTROL SYSTEMS

CODE : TE 2205

ASSIGNMENT TOPICS : DEFINITIONS,SENSORS,TRANSDUCERS,DATA INTERFACE

NAME & REG NO : FADZAI MAVHONDO T2056775Z

ASSIGNMENT 1

1. What is control system in detail?

A control system is defined as a system that manages, directs, or regulates the behaviour of other
devices or systems to achieve a desired result. A control system achieves this through control loops,
which are a process designed to maintain a process variable at a desired set point.

2. Define the following control system related terms

a. Microprocessor is a computer processor where the data processing logic and control is included
on a single intergrated microprocessor contains the arithmetic , logic and control circuit required to
perform the functions of a computer CPU.

b. Microcontroller is a compressed micro computer manufactured to control the functions of

embedded system in employed in devices ,robot and a number of embedded systems in employed
devices that need a degree of control to be applied.

c. Hardware is used in both PCs and SCADA as a control component of overall system , it provides
local management of processes being run through feedback control devices such as sensors.

d. Stability is the ability of any system to provide a bounded output when a bounded input is applied
to it.
e. SCADA is the acronomy for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, it is a computer based
system for gathering and analysing real time data to monitor and control equipment that deals with
critical and time sensitive materials or events.

f. Transducer

g. Programmable Logic Controller is a ruggedized computer used for industrial automation. These
controllers can automate a specific process , machine function or even entire line product.

h. Open Loop Control System also known as non-feedback system, is a type of continuous control
system in which the output has no influence or the effect on control.

i. Closed Loop Control System is a set of mechanical or electronic device that automatically regulates
a process variable to a desired state or set point without human interaction.

j. Cascade control involves the use of controllers with the output of first controller providing the set
point for the second controller , the feedback loop for one controller nestling inside the other.

k. Actuator is a component of a machine that is responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism
or system for example opening a valve .lt is a mover ,it requires a control sign and source of energy.

l. Distributed control systems is a platform for automated control and operation of a plant or
industrial process , it combines human machine interface, logic solvers , historian common data base
, alarm management and a common engineering suite into a single automated system.

m. Protocol is a communication protocol system of rules that allows two or more entities of a
communication system to transmit information via any kind of variation of a physical quantity

n. Disturbance are signals that represent unwanted inputs which affect the control systems output ,
and a result in an increase of the system error.

o. Automation the incorporation of the control system into a process system ,effectively reduces the
labour involved in the operation of complex equipment and provides reliable , consistent
performance.

p. Optimization is the minimisation and maximization of a function subject to constraints.

q. Block diagram is used to present a control system in a diagram form or it’s a practical of a control
system.

r. Signal flow graph is a diagram that represents a set of simultaneous algebraic equations.

s. Simulation is a model or representative example of something.

t. Servo system the controller is the device that activates motion by providing a command to do
something to start or change the speed or position.

3. What is the difference between Open Loop and Closed Loop Control Sytems
Open Loop Control System Closed Loop Control System
the controlled action is free from output The output mainly depends on the controlled act
of system
Consistency is non-reliable Consistency is reliable
Systems are more stable Systems are less stable
Calibration of this system is difficult Calibration of this system is easy
Optimization of this system is impossible Optimization of this system is possible
Accuracy of this system mainly depends upon These are accurate due to feedback
calibration
Construction of this system is simple Construction of this system is complex
Systems are non-linear Systems are linear
Components includes the controlled process and Components includes an amplifier , controlled
the controller process, controller and feedback
The disturbance of this system will be affected The disturbance of this system will be unaffected

4. What is the difference between a sensor and transducer

Sensor Transducer
Is a device that detects a change in a physical Is a device that converts one form of energy into
environment another
Converts physical quantities or energy into non- Converts energy into electrical signal
electrical signal

5. State any four types of transducer and explain their working principle

i. Piezoelectric transducer

It is an electrical transducer which can convert any form of physical quantity into an electrical signal
which can be used for measurements. It works with the principle of piezoelectricity. The faces of
piezoelectric material usual quartz is coated with a thin layer of conducting material such as silver
when stress has applied the ions in the material move towards one of the conducting surface while
moving away from the other and it results in the generation of charge ,and this charge is used for
calibration of stress.

ii. Pressure transducer

A pressure transducer converts an applied fluid pressure to an electrical signal. The force of
pressurized fluid detects the pressure sensing element this deflection sensed by the diaphragm is
converted into the electrical signal with the help of transduction element.

iii. Ultrasonic transducer

It is one of the sound related sensors , it sends the electrical signals to the object and once the signal
strikes the object then it reverts to the transducer, it vibrates around the specific frequency range
and generates a sound wave. These sound waves travels and whenever any obstacles come , these
sound waves will reflect the transducer in form of echo and at the end of transducer this echo
converts into an electrical signal.
iv. Temperature transducer

6. Four types of sensors and explain their working principle

i. Ultrasonic sensor

An ultrasonic sensor is an instrument that measures the distance to an object using ultrasonic sound
waves. High frequency sound wave reflects from boundaries to produce distinct echo patterns. It
sends an ultrasonic pulse out at 40kHz which travels through the air and there is an obstacle , it will
bounce back to the sensor. By calculating the travel time and speed of sound , the distance can be
calculated. They are a great solution for detection of clear objects. For liquid measurement ,
applications that use infrared sensors ,for instance .

ii. Temperature sensor

The voltage across the diode terminals , if the voltage increases the temperature also rises followed
by a voltage drop between a transistor terminals of base and emitter diode. They are used in diverse
applications such as food processing. The changes in the temperature correspond to change in its
physical property like resistance or voltage.

iii. Accelerometer sensors

Is a transducer used to measure the physical or measurable acceleration experienced by an object

due to internal forces and converts the mechanical motion into an electrical output. It is defined as
the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. These sensors are now present in a tone of
devices such as smart phones. Their use involves detection of vibration , tilting and acceleration.

iv. Direction-motion sensing

Determining whether a target is moving away from or toward the microwave sensor device and it is
particularly important for manufactures of automated guided vehicle systems for obstacle
avoidance. It is also used to detect whether objects are approaching from automatic doors.
Application includes sensing the level of oil or chemical solutions in tanks.

7. Explain the need of data interfacing

- it prevents mistakes , the automated process reduce number of errors compared to the manual
process

- they enable effective process reuse

- it also creates process templates which are used by system integrators and consultants

8. The difference between Serial and parallel interfacing

A parallel port is a type of interface found on computers for connecting

peripherals. The name refers to the way the data is sent; parallel ports
send multiple bits of data at once, as opposed to serial interfaces that
send bits one at a time

Serial interface

A serial interface is a communication interface between two digital

systems that transmit data as a series of voltage pulses down a wire. A “1”
is represented by a high voltage and a “0” is represented by a low logical
voltage.
5. EXPLAIN THE OPTO- COUPLING PRINCIPLE
An Opto-coupler is an electronic component that interconnects two
separate electrical circuits by means of a light sensitive optical
interface. There are many situations where signals and data need to be
transferred from one subsystem to another within a piece of electronics
equipment, or from one piece of equipment to another, without
making a direct electrical connection. Often this is because the source
and destination are at very different voltage levels, like a
microprocessor which is operating from 5V DC but being used to
control a triac which is switching 240V AC. In such situations the link
between the two must be an isolated one, to protect the
microprocessor from overvoltage damage
6. Control room design and layout specifications
- The layout is dictated by the number of people, the number of consoles.
- The suitability of the structure of the control room to withstand possible major
hazard events. It is likely to be situated in separate buildings if the plants are
large.
- Threats from explosions should be considered and also bursts in the structural
design so in this case the control room should create a safe haven for its
occupants like sealing the building to prevent ingress of gases to levels of
concentration that will affect the health of other people considering the rooms
ventilation
- Human factors should as well be considered to the environmental issues the
layout, the room dimensions should take into account 5% to 95% user.
Emergency exits be considered as well. Access and egress for disabled
operators. This layout should not hinder verbal and non- verbal communication.
Distance between workstations should be between 300-700mm
- An issue of maintenance behind panel equipment should be appropriately
coded to reduce the potential for human error.
- The thermal environment, temperature and airflow should be adjustable to be
in between 18, 3 degrees to 20.0 degrees with airflow between 0, 11 and
0,15m/s
- The visual environment the lighting should not interfere by creating veiling
reflections on VDU’s or other reflective surfaces.
- Auditory environment it should have average noise level within the control
room should not exceed 85decibels during the day and for office 40 decibels.
- Alarms, all other employees should know what each alarm mean. An alarm
must be able to reset automatically.