Automated Systems

An automated system is a combination of

software and hardware (for example, sensors,
microprocessors and actuators) that is
designed and programmed to work
automatically without the need of any human
intervention.
But human monitoring is done to avoid any
mishap in worst condition.
• Sensors are input devices that take readings from
their surroundings and send this data to a
microprocessor or computer. If the data is
analogue, it is first converted into a digital format
by an analogue-digital converter (ADC).
• The microprocessor will process the data and take
the necessary action based on programming.
• This will involve some form of output, usually
involving signals sent to actuators to control
motors, wheels, solenoids, and so on
Application areas:
• Industrial
• Transport
• Agriculture
• Weather
• Gaming
• Lighting
• science
Working of an automated system in general….
• Sensors send data to computer/microprocessor.
• As data sent from a sensor is analogue in nature, it needs to
be converted to digital using Analogue to digital converter
(ADC) before it is sent to computer.
• Microprocessor compares the current data with preset
value stored in database.
• If the data is outside the accepted range, computer takes
necessary action based on programming.
• This involves some form of output, usually signal sent to
actuators to control motors, wheels, valves, solenoids etc.
or to control heaters, lights etc.
Industrial applications
E.g: Nuclear power station
(NPS)
At the centre of the system is a
distributed control system (DCS).
DCS is essentially a powerful
computer that has been
programmed to monitor and control the whole process
with no human interaction required:
Working of NPS
• Data from a number of sensors is
sent to a DCS (computer)
• it must first be converted into
digital format using an ADC.
• DCS compares the data with
preset data from a large
database.
• If any action is needed then signals will be sent to
appropriate actuators to operate pumps, valves, or
even an emergency shutdown system.
Working of NPS
• Often automated systems are supervised by a
human operator from a remote controlled room.
• While the process is fully automatic, the supervisor
can still override the DCS and shut down the
process.
 Advantages Disadvantages
• much faster than a human • expensive to set up in the first
operator to take any necessary place and needs considerable
action testing.
• much safer (keeps humans • Sudden occurrence of a
away from a dangerous situation with different set of
environment) condition, that may not have
• the process is more likely to run been tested leading to safety
under optimum conditions since implications.
any small changes needed can • May be subject to cyberattacks
be identified very quickly and • always need enhanced
action taken maintenance which can be
• in the long run, it is less expensive
expensive
Industrial applications (Manufacture of paracetamol)
Process 1 is the manufacture of the paracetamol. Process 2 is the
making of the solid tablets.
Depending on the data sent from sensors (humidity,
electrtochemical (used to analyze gas, liquid, or solid
components dissolved in liquids,), temperature) computer send
signals to the appropriate actuator to operate pumps, valves,
heaters, stirrers or pistons.
 Advantages
• much faster than a human operator to take any necessary
action
• much safer (keeps humans away from a dangerous
environment)
• the process is more likely to run under optimum conditions
since any small changes needed can be identified very
quickly and action taken
• in the long run, it is less expensive.
• more efficient use of materials
• higher productivity
• more consistent results.
 Disadvantages
• expensive to set up in the first place and needs
considerable testing.
• Sudden occurrence of a situation with different set of
condition, that may not have bee tested leading to
safety implications.
• May be subject to cyberattacks
• always need enhanced maintenance which can be
expensive
 Transport
Example: autonomous buses/cars, autonomous trains
and unpiloted aircraft (auto pilot).
Trains
• When the train goes through a red light (stop), then
the computer on-board stops the train.
• Sensors (colour sensors) at the side of the track send
signal to on-board computer.
• Computer sends signal to actuators to apply the
brakes.
Self-parking cars
The driver goes
along the row of
parked cars. On-
board sensors and
cameras gauge the size of any parking spaces, and the on-
board computer warns the driver if a suitable space has
been found. The driver then selects auto-parking and the on-
board computer takes over. Actuators are used to operate
the steering rack, brakes and throttle under the full control
of the computer and the car will be auto parked
Sensors in the bumpers of the car are
both transmitters and receivers. The
sensors transmit signals that bounce off
objects and are reflected back.
The car’s on-board computer uses the amount of time it
takes for the signal to return to the sensor to calculate the
position of any objects. The sensors give the computer a
3D image of its surroundings. This allows the car to fit into
its parking space automatically with no driver intervention.
 Advantages
• much faster than a human operator to take any necessary
action
• allows the same number of cars to use fewer parking spaces.
• avoids traffic disruption in cities (a manually controlled car
takes several seconds to fit into a parking space).
• cars can fit into smaller spaces.
• fewer dents and scratches to cars (reduced insurance claims)
• safer system since sensors monitor all objects, including
young children (the car’s movement will be stopped if any
new object is encountered)
• very consistent results.
 Disadvantages
• expensive to set up in the first place and needs
considerable testing.
• loss of skills: over-reliance on automated systems by the
driver.
• faulty/dirty sensors or cameras can send false
data/images to the on-board computer which could lead
to a malfunction.
• expensive option that doesn’t really save the driver any
money
• requires additional maintenance to ensure it functions
correctly at all times.
Adaptive cruise control
Cruise control is a feature that helps reduce such fatigue, drivers
would feel while driving a long distance. The system imitates
the way human drivers drive. But instead of pressing the
accelerator pedal, it uses an actuator to control the throttle and
helps your car continue cruising at the same speed. Adaptive
cruise control makes use of sensors, an on-board computer and
actuators to allow a car to remain a safe distance from another
vehicle.
• The driver will set a cruising speed (for example, 80kph) on
his touch screen in the car.
• Lasers (set into the bumpers of the car) are used to send out
signals constantly.
• The lasers bounce off the vehicle in front of the car and are
reflected back to the car’s sensors.
• The time taken for the signal to bounce back is used by the
on-board computer to calculate the distance between the
two vehicles.
• If the car is getting too close to the vehicle in front, the
computer will send signals to slow the car down. This is done
by actuators applying the brakes and/or reducing the throttle.
• If the distance between vehicles is greater than the safe
distance, the computer will check to see if the current speed
equals the value set by the driver. If the speed is different to
the set speed, the computer sends signals to the actuators to
increase or decrease the throttle.
Agriculture
Automated system used in the irrigation system
The agricultural area that are vast in size (more than 10km 2 )
automated systems are used for proper watering of crops.
• Data from an automatic weather station is received by the controller
(a computer system) every ten minutes to detect whether the
condition is very wet or very dry.
• Ultrasonic water level sensors are used in the crop fields that
measure the amount of water in the irrigation channels.
• The sensors send their data via wireless transmitters. This data is
then picked up by the wireless receiver, which sends the data back
to the controller.
• The controller then uses this data, together with the data from the
weather station, to decide whether it is necessary to stop or start a
series of water pumps. This is done by sending signals to actuators,
which operate the pumps.
• Though fully automatic, a supervisor monitors the process remotely
Advantages
• reduced labour costs since the system only needs a supervisor to
monitor vast areas.
• better and more efficient control of the irrigation process
• better control of precious resources, such as water.
• faster response than a human having to manually check many
kilometres of irrigation channels.
• safer (temperatures in the fields could be 40°C and other risks could
exist)
• different crops may require different irrigation requirements (for
example, rice crops need flooding conditions, whereas orange trees
like dry conditions); it is possible to program the controllers so that
different growing conditions can be maintained simultaneously.
Disadvantages
• expensive to set up initially (expensive equipment needs to be
bought)
• very high maintenance costs are associated with automated systems
(also require specialist technicians if a fault occurs, which could be a
problem in some remote areas of the world)
• increased need to maintain the water channels to ensure the system
works correctly at all times (a blocked or collapsed channel wouldn’t
be picked up by the automated system, which could result in some
areas being over-watered and some areas being starved of water).