Welcome to Computer Controlled Systems! (Section 6.3)

Hello! This chapter is really exciting because we look at how computers move out of the screen and into the real world. We are going to explore how ICT systems can take control of machinery, factories, and even vehicles.

Don't worry if this sounds complicated—a computer controlled system is basically just a robot that follows instructions 24/7. Understanding this section will help you see the ICT behind modern manufacturing and transport. Let's dive in!

1. Understanding Computer Controlled Systems (CCS)

What is a CCS?

A Computer Controlled System (CCS) is an ICT application where a computer (often a microprocessor) uses inputs from the environment to make decisions and control physical devices called actuators.

Think of it like an automatic washing machine: you tell it to run, and the computer system handles the water temperature, drum speed, and timing without you touching it again.

The Three Key Parts of a CCS

Every control system works in a loop using three core components:

1. Input Devices (Sensors)

  • These collect data about the environment. They are the "eyes and ears" of the system.
  • Example: Temperature sensor (measures heat), pressure sensor (measures force), light sensor (measures brightness).

2. Processor (Microprocessor/CPU)

  • This is the brain. It takes the data from the sensors, compares it to predefined settings (the "set point"), and makes a decision based on the program instructions.

3. Output Devices (Actuators)

  • These devices physically carry out the computer’s instruction. They are the "muscles" of the system.
  • Example: Motors (to move a robotic arm), valves (to open or close liquid flow), heaters (to increase temperature).

Quick Review: The Feedback Loop
Sensor (Input) -> Processor (Decision) -> Actuator (Action) -> Sensor (Input) ... and the loop continues! This is known as a Feedback Loop.

2. Specific Applications of Computer Controlled Systems

The syllabus requires us to understand three major real-world applications of CCS.

A. Robotics in Manufacture

Robots are common in modern factories, especially for tasks that are dangerous or require extreme precision and repetition.

Uses:

  • Welding and Painting: Robots provide incredibly consistent welds and paint jobs on car bodies, improving quality control.
  • Assembly: Placing tiny components onto circuit boards (requiring high precision) or heavy parts onto engines.
  • Dangerous Environments: Handling toxic materials or working in extreme heat (like in a steel mill).

B. Production Line Control

Production line control systems ensure that items are made efficiently and correctly as they move down the conveyor belt.

Uses:

  • Quality Control: Using optical sensors to check if a bottle is filled to the correct height or if a lid is sealed properly.
  • Sorting: Using weight or colour sensors to sort items into different streams (e.g., sorting fruits or packages).
  • Speed Regulation: Controlling the speed of the conveyor belt to maintain a constant flow of production.

C. Autonomous Vehicles

These are vehicles (like self-driving cars, trains, or drones) that operate without continuous human input.

How they work (Simplified):

  1. Inputs: Sensors (LiDAR, radar, cameras, GPS) continuously collect massive amounts of data about the vehicle's surroundings.
  2. Processing: Onboard computers and AI analyze this data instantly to identify obstacles, traffic signs, and road conditions.
  3. Outputs: Actuators control the steering, braking, and acceleration to follow the planned route and avoid hazards.

Did you know? Autonomous vehicles use GPS for overall positioning, but rely on highly detailed maps and sensors for immediate, crucial decisions like avoiding a pedestrian or staying in the lane.

Key Takeaway for Applications: CCS excel at tasks that are repetitive, dangerous, or require constant, precise monitoring.

3. Advantages and Disadvantages of CCS (Compared to Humans)

In your exam, you must be able to compare using a computer-controlled system against having a human perform the same task.

Advantages of using Computer Controlled Systems

CCS often perform tasks better and more reliably than humans:

  • Accuracy and Precision: Computers make fewer errors than humans. They can position a robotic arm or measure a liquid volume much more precisely.
  • Speed: They operate much faster, leading to higher production rates (throughput).
  • Consistency: They produce exactly the same result every time, ensuring high, uniform quality. They don't get tired or bored.
  • Operation Time (Endurance): They can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only stopping for maintenance.
  • Safety: CCS can work in environments that are hazardous to human health (e.g., handling radiation, working in extreme heat/cold, deep underwater).
  • Data Handling: They can process thousands of sensor readings instantly and react far quicker than a human operator could.

Disadvantages of using Computer Controlled Systems

While powerful, CCS have significant drawbacks:

  • Initial Cost: The hardware (robots, sensors, actuators) and the software (programming the control logic) require a huge upfront investment.
  • Maintenance and Repairs: If a system breaks down, it requires highly skilled, specialized technicians to fix it, which can be expensive and cause long delays in production.
  • Lack of Flexibility: Computers are only good at the tasks they are programmed for. If an unusual problem or unexpected situation occurs, the system usually stops completely and cannot improvise like a human.
  • Job Displacement (Unemployment): Implementing CCS means that humans are no longer needed for those tasks, leading to loss of traditional manufacturing jobs.
  • Power Reliance: If there is a power outage, the system stops working immediately, potentially ruining the current batch of work.

Common Mistake to Avoid: When comparing computers to humans, remember that humans are good at judgment, complex problem-solving, and adapting to new situations, whereas computers are good at repetition, speed, and precision.

Quick Review Box: CCS vs. Humans

Computer Strengths: Speed, Precision, Repetition, Safety.
Human Strengths: Flexibility, Improvisation, Low Initial Cost, Complex Judgement.