06 Control and automated system

Answers
1. Give three features of a microprocessor-controlled camera that is not available in a manually controlled
camera.
Auto-focus
Shutter speed
Red eye effect remover
2. A microprocessor controls a toy car. The microprocessor sends control data along eight paths. 1 is used
for on and 0 is used for off.

a. Describe what is happening to the car

The car is moving forward with all lights off.
b. Fill the boxes for the car reversing with its reversing lights on.

0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0

3. a. Name an everyday object, but not a piece of computer hardware, that contains microprocessor.
Automatic Washing Machine
b. Describe two different tasks that the microprocessor performs.
1. Selects the duration of wash depending upon the wash-load
2. Calculates the water level.

c. Give one benefit of using the microprocessor.

Microprocessor helps to monitor the complete task without human intervention.

4. a. Explain the meaning of the term Automated Systems

It is a combination of software and hardware designed and programmed to work automatically without
the need for any human intervention
b. Name two physical components needed for automated system.
• A microprocessor which has storage for program and data.
• sensors.
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5. A tank is to hold water for use by customers in a hotel. The temperature and level of the water in the tank
are controlled by a microprocessor.

a. Give two devices needed inside the tank to provide input data for the microprocessor.
Temperature sensor
Level sensor
b. Give two devices which are controlled by the microprocessor
Heater
Water inlet valve
c. Describe the processing that takes place in this system
Sensors send the values of present temperature and water level in the tank. An ADC (if the sensors are
not digital) converts these values to digital form. The microprocessor uses control program to compare
these values with the set/required values. If there is a difference between these values then the
microprocessor checks the existing state of heater and water inlet valve and according sends control
signal to put them on or off.
6. A camera which contains a microprocessor is being used to take photograph of a flower. Describe the data
that is input, the processing that takes place and the output from the microprocessor for the photograph to
be taken.
Input: Distance of flower from the camera, light intensity, movement pattern and speed of flower.
Output: Control signals to control the focus, shutters peed, and aperture.
Processing: Calculation to adjust the focal length of the lens, shutters peed, and aperture.
7. Newton is concerned about the increase in the amount of traffic at the town center cross roads. It is claimed
that the increase in air pollution is reaching a dangerous level. It has been decided that data logging should
be used to monitor the level of pollution.
 06 Control and automated system

a. Complete the diagram of the crossroads showing where the data logging sensors should be placed.

b. Explain your choice of positions for the sensors.

The volume of traffic is more where it is stopped due to traffic lights and the level of pollution will be
more at these places.
8. Computers are used to control the landing of airplanes. Describe the inputs, processing and output needed
for a computer controlled landing.
Input: Speed, distance of the plane from touchdown point, plane’s altitude and direction of approach,
wind speed and direction.
Output: Control signals to control the equipments on the plane that control the landing.
Processing: Calculation of angle of depreciation, retardation, direction of approach.
9. a. State a household item that contains a microprocessor.
Microwave oven
b. For this item describe the input to the microprocessor, the processing and the output.
Input: Control buttons, Lock door
Processing: Controller system will process by the input data received
Output: Beep sound, Digital display for the Time
10. An on-line computer system is being used to control the traffic lights at a busy crossroads in a large town.
Data about the flow of traffic is collected by sensors,
a. Name two types of sensors used.
Sensor 1: Infrared
Sensor 2: Pressure Pad
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b. Explain how the collected data would be converted for computer storage.
If it is in analogue form then an AD Converter will be used to convert it into digital form then the
control program will take-in and store it in appropriate form.
c. Describe the computer processing which should take place in order to keep the traffic flowing smoothly.
Depending upon the feedback (values sent by sensors from the traffic crossings) control signals will be
generated by the microprocessor to control the duration of green/red lights.
d. What type of computer processing is needed for the system?
Real time processing
e. Give one reason why this type of processing is used?
Because the results of processing are instantly needed.
f. Give two reasons why this on-line control system could fail to work.
Communication link failure and Power failure at the traffic lights’ site.
g. Describe two benefits of introducing this control system.
1. Precise and accurate monitoring and control of traffic,
2. Less pollution as traffic flow will be smooth
3. No health risk to policeman because of pollution.
h. Describe two different ways in which the computer system might cope in a power failure
1. Use a UPS at the traffic light sites
2. Use UPS at the central Computer site.
11. a. State two advantages of using robots in a car factory.
1. Accurate and price non-stop work.
2. No risk to human life and health
b. Describe one task in the process of making cars that can only be done by humans.
Decision making: Robots are “intelligent” to take a decision when an unforeseen situation arises.
c. Describe two good effects and two bad effects of the use of robots in car manufacture
Good 1: Efficiency and quality will be improved and maintained.
Good 2: Increase in throughput i.e. Production will be increased as robots works faster than
human.
Bad 1: Unemployment will increase.
Bad 2: Work will suffer if robots need repair as you can’t substitute another robot for the
nonfunctioning robot.
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12. A microprocessor based watch has an analogue display,

a. Describe the input, processing and output of data.
Input: Pulse from Quartz.
Processing: Counting of pulses from quartz and converting it into seconds.
Output: Control signals to move the second’s hand of the clock
b. Give another example of an analogue display.
Mechanical weighing scale (in which pre-printed scale rotates)
13. a. What are sensors?
Sensor: A sensor is a input device that measures a physical properties from surroundings and converts it
into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. Real data is analogue in nature.
computers cannot make any sense of these physical quantities so the data needs to be converted into a
digital format. The sensors are connected to a microprocessor through an interface
b. Name three sensors and its purposes.
Temperature: measures temperature of the surroundings by sending signals; these signals will change
as the temperature changes
Moisture: measures water levels in, for example, soil (it is based on the electrical resistance of the
sample being monitored)
Humidity: this is slightly different to moisture; this measures the amount of water vapour in, for
example, a sample of air (based on the fact that the conductivity of air will change depending on the
amount of water present)
14. What is control interface and why it is used in automated systems
Control interface are the devices that convert the signals between microprocessor and device being
controlled. Automated systems need interface when the analogue sensors are used with the device being
controlled. The analogue sensors send feedback to microprocessor in analogue form that must be
converted to digital form so that microprocessor can understand it.