Chapter 3: Monitoring and Control

Sensors: A sensor is an input device. It collects

data about a physical environment automatically.
This removes the need of humans to collect data
manually. The data collected can be used to input
into a system and any necessary action required is
taken.
Advantages of collecting data using a sensor:
1) Data can be collected 24/7. Meaning a
human is not required to be present there all
the time.
2) Data can be collected in dangerous areas
without the need for a human to be present.
3) A sensor may be more consistent in the data
that it will collect as it is a mechanical
device therefore more accurate. A human
can be inconsistent, and this can lead to
errors in the sample collected.

Calibration
Calibration is the process of testing and
modifying a device to make sure that it is taking
the correct reading.
To calibrate the sensor, you need to a calibration
reference. This is a standard that you can calibrate
against. A simple method of calibration is to run
the readings from this sensor and compare the
readings to one from a sensor that you know is
calibrated, that way you know that the sensors are
calibrated for the most accurate results.
There are different typers of calibration used for
sensors:
 One point calibration- the simplest form of
calibration. It can be used an offset calibration
curve. This is because the sensor is reading
partly correct, as it is changing at the same rate
but it is just consistently measuring too high or
low.
 Two-point calibration-can be used to correct
a data set suffering both offset and sensitivity.
It can often be more accurate method of
calibration than one point calibration.
 Multi-point calibration-similar to the other
calibration methods but is performed with
many different readings (at least three). This
increases the accuracy of the calibration.

Monitoring systems
A monitoring system is designed to collect
data and then store it to be used in the later
stages. For e.g. data collected about a garden
over a period of 24 hours for a week can be
used in the future to see which day the
warmest or which day was the coldest.
The main technologies used in a monitoring
system are sensors. Storage devices are used to
store the collected data. Graphing software
could be used to create visual representations
of the data to make it easier to interpret.

For e.g. a monitoring system can be used to

measure the chlorine levels of the pool.
 A pH sensor is placed in the pool.
 The pH sensor takes readings at set intervals
such as every minute.
  The readings are sent to the storage device.
 The readings are put into a graph by the
manager so she can she the level of chlorine at
any time.
Control Systems
A control system is designed to collect data and
then send this to a computer system so that it can
be analyzed (and any resulting action taken).
Sensors, microprocessors and sometimes
actuators are used in a monitoring system.

A microprocessor is an electronic component that

can perform similar functions to a central
processing unit (CPU). It can process instructions
and perform mathematical comparisons and
calculations. Microprocessors also have small area
to hold data called registers. Microprocessors are
normally a single integrated circuit.
Advantages Disadvantages
They can be There is a limit on the
programmed to execute size of the data they
different tasks can hold.
They are small so can They are small and can
be easily built into overheat if too much
different technologies. demand is placed on
them.
There are relatively fast
at moving data between
different memory
locations.

An actuator is a type of motor that is used to move

and operate another mechanism or device. Can be
based on different methods of operation such as
hydraulic, pneumatic or electric. Actuators could
control operations such as opening and closing a
valve, turning a switch on and off or driving a
mechanism to open a door.
An actuator is vital in a control system because it
is the element that drives the action to be
performed.
Advantages Disadvantages
Hydraulic and electric Pneumatic actuators can
actuators are quiet. be quite noisy.
The cost of pneumatic The cost of hydraulic
actuators is low. and electric actuators is
high.
Most actuators have Fluid leaks can be a
moderate to high-speed problem in hydraulic
abilities to perform an actuators.
action.

Stages of a control system include:

1) The sensor collects the data at set-intervals,
for example once every minute.
2) The data is sent to a microprocessor.
3) The microprocessor will analyze the data.
This could involve comparing it to a pre-
stored value, or range of values.
4) If the data does not match the pre-stored
value, the microprocessor will send a signal
to an actuator or device.
5) The actuator or device will trigger any
action that needs to be taken.

Example in an air conditioning:

1) The user sets the temperature to 22
degrees.
2) The value is stored.
3) A temperature sensor collects the data
about the ambient room temperature.
4) The data collected is sent to the
microprocessor. The data is then
converted from analogue to digital.
5) The microprocessor analyses each data
sample sent to see if its equal to the
stored value of 22 degrees.
6) If the data sample is greater than 22
degrees, the microprocessor sends a
signal to an actuator triggering the
system to increase the cooling function.
7) If the data sample is less than 22 degrees
the microprocessor sends a signal to an
actuator to trigger the system to increase
the heating function.
8) The whole process is repeated at a set
time interval, for example, once every
minute.
The list above is also known as an algorithm
which is a set of steps that need to be followed to
achieve a certain outcome.