Monitoring and Control Systems

What is Computer Control and monitoring system?

• Computer control and monitoring system means using a

computer to control and monitor the action or movement of
an object. It often means a processor or microchip is used to
control and monitor such processes.
• A Control System typically comprises:
– A computer or microprocessor
– A sensor
– A control program which handles data from sensors and sends
signals to output device
– An interface box(ADC) to convert signals between the sensor and
processor
 Sensors

• A sensor is a device which can measure physical quantities in the

surrounding environment. Example might be a:
– Heat sensor which measures the temperature in a room or a pressure
sensor which senses when someone has walked over it.
– A security alarm system may have an infra red sensor which sends a
signal when the beam is broken.
– A heat sensor in the corner of a room may detect the presence of a
person
• Once they have taken a reading or measurement, they might
send that reading straight back to the computer or they may
store it up and take a set of readings over time and send them
back in a batch.
• This data is called an ‘input’.
 Types of sensors
Sensor Measures Where Used

Heat Temperature Living room for central heating system

Humidity Water vapour in the air Swimming pool, greenhouse

Infra-red Infra-red radiation e.g. body heat Security alarm systems

Light Light levels External security lights

PH Acid/alkali levels e.g. pH of soil Environmental experiments, river pollution

Pressure Pressure Burglar alarm systems, automatic doors

Smoke Smoke in the atmosphere Offices

Sound Levels of sound Security alarm systems

Tilt Angle of tilt Windows in security alarm system

Chemical Levels of oxygen/carbon monoxide Science/environmental experiments

Touch Detects if one object bumps into another Computer controlled robots
 ADC (analogue-to-digital converter)

• Most sensors take analogue measurements. This means that the

measurement can have a wide range of values or be on a
continuous scale.
• All computers need digital data in order to be able to understand
it and process it. Digital data only has two values either 0 and 1 or
On and Off.
• In order for the data collected by the sensor to be understood by
the computer, it needs to be converted from an analogue signal to
a digital signal, so
• An interface (ADC) box is needed to convert the data from the
sensors in to computer data
– The ADC is connected between the sensor and the computer’s input-
output port and it is called an ‘interface’.
 Microprocessor

• A microprocessor is a device that integrates the functions of the

central processing unit (CPU) of a computer onto one chip.
• Microprocessors play supporting roles within larger computers as
smart controllers for graphics displays, storage devices, and high-speed
printers.
– However, the vast majority of microprocessors are used to control
everything from consumer appliances to smart weapons.
• The microprocessor has made possible the inexpensive hand-held
electronic calculator, the digital wristwatch, and the electronic game.
• Microprocessors are used to control consumer electronic devices, such
as the programmable microwave oven and video cassette recorder; to
regulate antilock brakes in automobiles; to monitor alarm systems; and
to operate automatic tracking and targeting systems in aircraft, tanks,
and missiles and to control radar arrays that track and identify aircraft.
 Processing
• Once the input data from the sensors has been received by the computer,
it can then begin to process it. The data will be compared against a set of
rules which have been programmed into the control system and a decision
will be made.
• For example, think about a central heating system:
– The system is set to keep the room at a constant 22 degrees C.
– The sensor will take regular temperature readings in the room and send the readings
back to the computer.
– The computer will then process the data to see if it matches the ideal 22 degrees C.
– If it is lower e.g. 20 degrees C, then the computer will need to identify the correct
response (e.g. the heating must be turned on).
– If it is equal or above 22 degrees C then the computer must identify the correct response
(e.g. the heating must be turned off).
• This stage is called processing. The computer can only follow the rules
that it has programmed into the control system, it cannot make its own
decisions
 Output

• Once the processing has taken place and a

decision has been made, the computer will
send the correct signal to the output device.
• For a central heating system, this might be to
turn the heating on or off. For a greenhouse
watering system this might be to turn the
sprinklers on or off.
• Sending the message and the resulting action
is known as the ‘output’ stage.
 Actuator

• An actuator is often part of a computer control and

monitoring system. The actuator is a mechanical device or
motor, which carries out the action or decision made by the
control system.
• For example, in a greenhouse, sensors may measure the
temperature. When the temperature rises too much, the
control system will send a signal to open the windows or
vents.
• The actuator is the motor, which will open the vents.
Likewise, when the temperature drops, the control system
will send a message to the actuator (motor) to close the
vents.
 Types of Control Systems
There two types of computer control system:
• 1. Open loop system
2. Feedback system/closed loop
 1. Open loop system

• Open Loop System: only looks at its input signal in order to

decide what to do. It takes no account at all of what is
happening to its output.
• Examples of 'open-loop' systems:
– a) You set the microwave oven to run for two minutes. After
cooking
for two minutes, the control system turns the microwave off. It has
no idea whether your food is still frozen, burnt or cooked perfectly.
– b) You program the video recorder to start recording the football
game at 7.30pm. However, because the news program finished
early, you miss the first vital 15 minutes of the match. Because the
system is only checking its input (time), it had no idea that the
starting time of the match had changed.
 2. Feedback System/Closed loop system

• Feedback in a computer controlled system takes place when the output from
the system has a direct effect on the input.
• In many computer controlled systems sensors provide the inputs. If such a
system uses feedback then there are also sensors monitoring the outputs.
• For example:
– A sensor monitoring the temperature of a greenhouse that is heated by a computer-
controlled heater.
– A sensor monitoring the level of water in a washing machine that is filled by a
computer-controlled pump
• Because the inputs that monitor the outputs are fed back into the system (hence
the term feedback) they can be used to control the outputs. For example:
– If the input sensor detects that the greenhouse is too hot then the output, the heater, is
turned off.
– If the input sensor detects that the washing machine is full then the output, the pump,
is turned off.
 Examples of Computer Control and
monitoring systems
At home Outside Home
• Washing machines • Traffic light
• Microwave cookers • Traffic light systems
• Dishwashers • Cars – engine
• Electric kettles • Lifts and rides at theme parks
• Fridges • Robots
• Video recorders • Computer controlled lighting
• Remote controlled car systems at discos and concerts
• Remote control television • Car park barriers
• Central heating systems • Monitoring hospital patients
• Burglar Alarm system • Used in factories and industries
 Adv. and disadv. of Control Systems and
monitoring systems
Advantages Disadvantages
• Can operate 24 hours a day without • The software for the control system is
taking a break. specialist and may cost a lot of money
• Can work without holidays or sick days to develop
• Will work without any wages. • If the computer malfunctions the
• Will repeat actions over and over and system will not work
over again • If there is a power cut the system will
• Can process data from sensors very not work
quickly • The computer can’t react to
• Can take account of hundreds of inputs unexpected events like a human could.
at the same time It can only respond in the way it has
• Can make reliable and accurate been programmed to.
decisions • It can cause some concern if total
• Can be used in dangerous or awkward control for a system and the decisions
environments where it wouldn't be a are handed over to a computer.
good idea to send humans to.
 Questions
The diagram below shows a security light that is designed such that when it becomes dark it
switches on and when there is sunlight it switches off.

• Name components A and B [2]

• What is the role of device B in this system? [1]
• State the function of the microprocessor in this system [1]
• Name the type of sensor used in this system. [1]
• What is the importance of a sensor in this control system? [1]
• What is an actuator? [1]