Unit 6 · Automated and emerging technologies
6.1 Automated systems
By the end of this section you should be able to
- 6.1.1 Describe how sensors, microprocessors and actuators work together
- 6.1.2 Evaluate automated systems in industry, transport, agriculture, weather, gaming, lighting and science
Lessons
Key vocabulary
- Automated system
- A system that carries out a task without human intervention.
- Sensor
- Measures a physical property and sends the data to the microprocessor.
- Microprocessor
- Compares sensor readings with set values and decides what action to take.
- Actuator
- Receives a signal and carries out a physical action, such as opening a valve.
- Analogue-to-digital converter (ADC)
- Converts sensor readings into digital data the microprocessor can process.