A normal PC has no way of affecting what is happening around it. It can’t turn on the lights, or make the room hotter. How do we change what is happening around us? We use our muscles to move things, press things, lift things, etc. (and we can also make sound using our voice).
A normal PC has no muscles, but we can give it some. In fact we can give it the ability to do lots of things by connecting a range of actuators to it…
An actuator is a device, controlled by a computer, that can affect the real-world.
Examples of actuators, and what they can do are...
A normal PC has no muscles, but we can give it some. In fact we can give it the ability to do lots of things by connecting a range of actuators to it…
An actuator is a device, controlled by a computer, that can affect the real-world.
Examples of actuators, and what they can do are...
| Actuator | What it Can Do |
|---|---|
| Light bulb or LED | Creates light |
| Heater | Increases temperature |
| Cooling Unit | Decreases temperature |
| Motor | Spins things around |
| Pump | Pushes water / air through pipes |
| Buzzer / Bell / Siren | Creates noise |
Actuators are used extensively in computer control systems.
Note: some of these devices require an analogue signal to operate them. This means that they need to be connected to the computer using a digital-to-analogue convertor (DAC)
Motor
Motors can provide movement.
For example, the motor in a washing machine can be controlled by a computer - it is switched on when the clothes are loaded for washing and switched off at the end of the wash.
Computer-controlled motors are also found in microwave ovens (to turn the food around) and air-conditioning units (to drive the fan)
For example, the motor in a washing machine can be controlled by a computer - it is switched on when the clothes are loaded for washing and switched off at the end of the wash.
Computer-controlled motors are also found in microwave ovens (to turn the food around) and air-conditioning units (to drive the fan)
Pumps
A pump is basically a motor attached to a device that can push water or air along pipes. When the motor is switched on, water or air flows along the pipes to places it is needed.
Pumps are used in many places: as part of watering systems in greenhouses, in factories, etc.
Pumps are used in many places: as part of watering systems in greenhouses, in factories, etc.
Buzzer
Buzzers can provide noise.
For example, the buzzer in a microwave oven can be switched on by the controlling computer when the food is cooked.
Louder noises can be made using a siren or an electric bell, for example in a burglar alarm system.
For example, the buzzer in a microwave oven can be switched on by the controlling computer when the food is cooked.
Louder noises can be made using a siren or an electric bell, for example in a burglar alarm system.
Lights
Lightbulbs and LEDs can by used to provide light, or to indicate something.
For example, computer-controlled lights are used in traffic lights, at music concerts. Lights are used in car dashboards to show if the any of the systems in the car have problems.
For example, computer-controlled lights are used in traffic lights, at music concerts. Lights are used in car dashboards to show if the any of the systems in the car have problems.
Heaters / Coolers
Heaters can provide heat, and coolers can cool things down.
A computer can switch a heater on or off when needed to keep a room or a greenhouse at the correct temperature during winter.
A computer can switch a cooling unit on or off to keep a room at the correct temperature during hot weather, or to keep food fresh.
A computer can switch a heater on or off when needed to keep a room or a greenhouse at the correct temperature during winter.
A computer can switch a cooling unit on or off to keep a room at the correct temperature during hot weather, or to keep food fresh.
