6.1 - Automated Systems

Question 1

What is an automated system? [2]

Answer 1

• It is a combination of software and hardware
• sensors, microprocessors and actuators are prgrammed to work together without human intervention

Question 2

What are sensors? [2]

Answer 2

• input devices that take readings from surroundings
• they send this data to microprocesser

Question 3

What are microprocessors? [2]

Answer 3

• they process the data
• they take the necessary action needed by programming

Question 4

What are actuators? [2]

Answer 4

• some form of output
• they use the signals sent by the microprocessor to control motors, wheels, etc

Question 5

What is distributed control system (DCS)? [2]

Answer 5

• powerful computer that has been programmed
• it controls and monitors the whole process without human interaction

Question 6

What is adaptive cruise control? [2]

Answer 6

• use of sensors, microprocessors and actuators
• makes sure that a vehicle keeps a safe distance between another vehicle

Question 7

What is an optical character reader or OCR? [2]

Answer 7

• a sensor
• recognises and understands the characters
• e.g. translates a parking ticket into a language that the microprocessor can understand

Question 8

What is the difference between a microprocessor and a processor? [2]

Answer 8

MP = one thing at a time (specific)

P = multiple things at the same time

Question 9

When is Analogue to Digital Converter used? [2]

Answer 9

• when sensors send data to microprocessors.
• this translates the analogue (real life) data into digital form data

Question 10

When is Digital to Analogue Converter used? [2]

Answer 10

• when microprocessors send data to the actuators
• this translates the binary from the microprocessor to something the actuators can understand and do

Question 11

What are the main advantages of using automated systems? [5]

Answer 11

1. faster than humans in taking any necessary action
2. system can run under optimum conditions
3. results are more consistent
4. more effective use of materials and resources
5. safer if automated system is part of a dangerous system

Question 12

What are the main disadvantages of using automated systems? [4]

Answer 12

1. expensive to start up and set up
2. always prone to cyberattacks (e.g. hacking and viruses)
3. they need enhanced maintenance which is more expensive
4. always prone to problems to occur which weren’t thought out before

Question 13

How is an automated system used in a nuclear power station?
Include the uses of the sensors, microprocessors and actuators. [3]

Answer 13

• temperature, pressure and flow level sensors used
• MP compares the sensor readings to the stored parameters and sends signals to the actuators to open or close the appropriate valves.
• actuator operates the water/gas pumps and shuts down the process if needed.

Question 14

How is an automated system used in paracetamol manufacture?
Include the uses of the sensors, microprocessors and actuators. [3]

Answer 14

• temperature, pH, infrared and pressure sensors are used
• MP compares the sensor readings to the stored parameters and sends signals to actuators to open or close the valves, or to operate heating elements or give out warnings if tablets are out of specification
• actuators operate the heating elements or open/close valves and measure the hardness of the tablet

Question 15

How is an automated system used in adaptive cruise control?
Include the uses of the sensors, microprocessors and actuators. [5]

Answer 15

• infrared laser sensors and cameras are used
• sensors send out lasers to the vehicle in front which are reflected back to the bumper of the car
• MP calculates how long it took for the laser to be reflected back and calculates the distance
• if the distance is greater or smaller than the set parameters, it’ll send a signal to the actuator to either operate the accelerator or the brakes
• the actuator operates the break or accelerator

Question 16

How is an automated system used in self parking cars?
Include the uses of the sensors, microprocessors and actuators. [6]

Answer 16

• infrared sensors and cameras are used
• sensors send out lasers which relfect off of the surroundings and bounce back to the bumper of the car
• sensors and cameras let the MP know how far the kerb is from the car
• the MP calculates the time it took for the laser to come back and calculates the distance of anything
• MP sends out signals to actuators depending on whether or not to operate the brakes, steering wheel and accelerator
• the actuator operates the steering wheel, the brakes and the accelerator

Question 17

What is an accelerometer? [2]

Answer 17

• it measures acceleration in 3D space
• in detects changes in velocity and converts the physical motion to electrical signals

Question 18

Examples of accelerometers used [3]

Answer 18

• fitness trackers
• smartphones
• gaming controllers

Question 19

What are infrared sensors? [2]

Answer 19

• detects and measures heat signatures, motion and proximity
• can sense body heat or movement and detects presence of nearby objects

Question 20

Examples of infrared sensors used [3]

Answer 20

• remote controls for tv
• security cameras
• automatic doors

Question 21

What are light sensors? [2]

Answer 21

• measure intensity or presence of light in their surroundings
• converts light energy into electrical signals and is used in proximity sensors

Question 22

Examples of light sensors used [3]

Answer 22

• security systems
• automatic street lighting
• solar-powered devices

Question 23

What is a pressure sensor? [2]

Answer 23

• electronic devices which measure force applied by a fluid to a specific area
• detects changes in pressure and converts these into electrical signals

Question 24

Examples of pressure sensor used [3]

Answer 24

• planes (cabin pressure, altitude)
• blood pressure monitors (medical)
• barometers

Question 25

What is a proximity sensor? [3]

Answer 25

• measures the distance or presence of an object in their detection range
• detects obstacles and objects in the way of parking or robots and decides whether the object is within the sensor’s proximity
• usually in mm or cm

Question 26

Examples of proximity sensors used [2]

Answer 26

• parking assistance systems
• smartphones

Question 27

What is a temperature sensor? [2]

Answer 27

• measures the temperature of object or environment
• used in weather stations to predict weather patterns

Question 28

Examples of temperature sensors used [3]

Answer 28

• thermometers
• freezers + refrigerators
• thermostats

Question 29

How is an automated system used in weather?
Include the uses of the sensors, microprocessors and actuators. [5]

Answer 29

• thermometers, anemometers, humidity sensors, level sensors, etc are used
• sensors send their readings of the surrounding environment and send them to the MP
• MP stores this data in central database and analyses the sensor’s data which is then sent out as weather reports
• MP sends signals to the actuators to tip the water from rainfall into a vessel where it can be calculated
• the actuators operate a piston and tip the rainfall in there where level sensors can measure the amountof rainfall later

Question 30

How is an automated system used in lighting?
Include the uses of the sensors, microprocessors and actuators. [5]

Answer 30

• light and infrared sensors are used
• MP compares the data sent by the sensor about the lighting level in a room
• if the lighting level is lower than the stored value the MP sends a signal to the actuator to turn on the lights
• if lighting system = part of security system the infrared sensor detects movement and MP takes action if the signal says it is an intruder
• the actuators turn off/on switches and pumps (e.g. water and light fountain)