Topic 7 (HL)

Control Systems
IB Computer Science
Control Systems
- a device, or set of devices that controls, manages, commands, directs or
regulates the behavior of other devices or systems
- In the context of IBCS, some sensor or electrical input is processed to
generate some output
- Examples include refrigerators, air conditioners, traffic lights (current time is
input)
Control System Components
- microprocessor
- sensor
- actuator
Microprocessor
- an integrated circuit (chip) that
contains all the functions of a
computer’s CPU (arithmetic,
logical, and control operations)
- accepts electrical signal,
processes, and outputs different
signal
- Performs calculations and data
processing
Transducers
- Confirms one form of energy into
another
- Sensors and actuators are both
transducers
Sensor
- a device which detects or measures a
physical property and records,
indicates, or otherwise responds to it
Types of Sensors
- Heat : measures temperature, e.g. central heating, fire alarm
- Humidity : measures water vapour in the air, e.g. greenhouses, swimming pool halls
- Infrared : measures radiation, e.g. security alarm systems
- Light (photodiode/phototransistor) : brightness, e.g. security lights
- pH: acidity levels, e.g. environmental monitoring
- Pressure (piezoresistive pressure sensor) : force applied on the sensor, e.g.
automatic doors, alarm systems
- Smoke : particles in the air, e.g. fire alarm
- Sound : sound pressure level, e.g. noise pollution monitoring, voice controlled
systems, alarm systems
- Tilt : angle of tilt, e.g. aircrafts, alarm systems installed in windows
- Touch : more sensitive than pressure/detects contact, e.g. robots
Actuator
- converts input energy of one
form to another
- In IBCS, input energy is
usually an electrical signal
that is converted to physical
motion
- requires a control device
(which emits a control signal)
and a source of energy
Types of Actuators
● LED/light bulb : creates light, e.g. display of information
● Heater : increases temperature, e.g. central heating
● Cooling unit: decreases temperature, e.g. central heating, AC
● Motor : spins things around, e.g. robots, washing machines, elevator
● Pump : pushes air/water through pipes, e.g water cleaning system, process
control
● Buzzer/bell/siren : creates (loud) noises, e.g. fire alarm
Analog-to-Digital (ADC) Converters
- Converts analog data from
sensors into digital data,
which can be read by
computers
IPO (Input-Process-Output) Model
1) Sensors take in analog input
and convert them to digital
data.
2) Digital data is processed by the
microprocessor, to output
different digital data.
3) Transducers turns this digital
data into some sort of physical
motion.
Feedback
- If either the output or some form of
the output is utilized as part of the
system input, then it is known as
feedback.
Open Loop System [Feedback Loops]
- Doesn’t take feedback into
account, repeats same action
based on input
- Examples: TV Remote Control, Light
Bulb, Coffee Machine, Toaster
Closed Loop System [Feedback Loops]
- Takes feedback into account,
including output and possibly
other factors external to the
system
- Correct Errors in output by
using feedback loop to alter
subsequent input
- Example: Home Thermostat,
Airplane Autopilot
Negative Feedback Loop
- A system in which
feedback is given in
order to reduce
fluctuation in
subsequent output
- Try to move output
closer to some
equilibrium, or target
value
Positive Feedback Loop
- Enhances or amplified changes in
output to move a system further
away from equilibrium or a given
value.
Control Systems: Pros & Cons
Pros Cons

Computer can respond much Technical malfunctions can

more quickly than humans occur

Control systems can run Cannot react to unexpected

without a break (24/365) events

Control systems are less error Relies on consistent supply of

prone than humans electricity

Control systems can be Could be more expensive

placed in environments than a human solution
hazardous to humans
Centralized vs. Distributed Control Systems
- Centralized system - All
components are controlled by a
centralized processing unit

- Distributed system - Different

components are controlled by a
number of different processing
units located throughout the
system - all work towards
common goal
Centralized System Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Easier to maintain and If main sensor/controller/actuator
troubleshoot fails, the whole system fails
More control Less power
Less flexibility
Distributed System Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Shared processing load Harder to maintain
More reliability More complex software
Flexibility
Autonomous Agents
- “Autonomous agents are software
programs which respond to states and
events in their environment
independent from direct instruction by
the user or owner of the agent, but
acting on behalf and in the interest of
the owner.”
- Examples
- recommendation systems
- drone swarms
- search engine crawlers
Autonomous Agents (4 Characteristics)
1) Autonomy - Can selected independently select
tasks in order to achieve overarching goal
2) Reactive - Senses environment and reacts
based on this input
3) Concurrency/Sociality - Can interact with
other agents cooperatively, competitively, or in
coordination
4) Persistence - an agent consistently acts in
pursuit of its goal
IB Questions