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1 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Slide 2 2 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Slide 3 3 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Control systems Slide 4 4 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 What are logic gates? Logic gates are electronic switches that process information. This chip contains four NOT gates. They are called gates because they open to produce a high output signal only when they receive the correct combination of input signals. A large number of logic gates can be incorporated in one electronic chip. Most logic gates have multiple inputs, which are used to determine a single output. Slide 5 5 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Logic gate voltage Microchips contain logic gates, which use this binary code to send and store information. Digital systems have two states, ON and OFF. These simple electronic states are represented in binary code: ON is called logic 1; OFF is called logic 0. Logic gates receive multiple signals in these two states. Different combinations of signals lead to different outputs. Microchips can be easily damaged by high voltages. Due to this the voltages for the two logic states are standardized. Logic 1 is 5 V, while logic 0 is 0 V. Slide 6 6 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Types of logic gate Slide 7 7 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Logic gates summary Slide 8 8 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Slide 9 9 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Using sensors in potential dividers V IN V OUT 0 V0 V0 V0 V R1R1 R2R2 By replacing either resistor with an input device, the potential divider can be used as an input sensor for a control system. A potential divider uses two series resistors to reduce a high input voltage (V IN ) to a lower output voltage (V OUT ). Replacing R 2 with a switch will produce a simple pressure sensor, while LDRs and thermistors can be used to produce light and temperature sensors respectively. Slide 10 10 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Potential dividers Slide 11 11 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Light sensors Slide 12 12 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Adjusting the threshold In the previous example, there was a set light intensity at which the logic state flipped from 1 to 0. This threshold value is determined by the value of R 2. Having a fixed threshold is fine if the system operated by the sensor should always activate at the same point. However in many cases it may be beneficial to vary this threshold value. A thermostat controls the temperature of a house, activating the heating system when the temperature drops below a set level. This threshold temperature can be varied, allowing the house to be kept at varying temperatures. Slide 13 13 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Thermostat Slide 14 14 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Sensors summary Slide 15 15 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Slide 16 16 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Truth tables for three inputs Slide 17 17 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Three input truth tables question Slide 18 18 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Truth tables for four inputs Slide 19 19 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 A burglar alarm The alarm keeps sounding until the owner enters the code into the control panel, regardless of the input it receives. Can you identify the input sensor, the processor and the output? A burglar alarm is a great example of a control system. input = movement sensor processor = alarm unit output = siren and lights How does this happen? Slide 20 20 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 input B input A This is an arrangement of two NOR gates. The output of one gate forms one input of the other. The alarm contains a bistable latch, or flip-flop circuit. The bistable latch Output input A input B output 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 NOR gate truth table bistable latch This arrangement is capable of storing a logic state; as such flip-flops are used extensively in computer memory. Slide 21 21 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 The bistable latch how does it work? Slide 22 22 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Build your own control system Slide 23 23 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Slide 24 24 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Making use of logic output There are many different output devices for an electronic system. These include motors, buzzers and lamps. In a logic system both current and voltage are very small to prevent damaging the gates. This limits the range of output devices which can be run on a logic system. In order to make full use of logic systems, we must find a way to control a high voltage component using a low voltage logic system: a relay allows this. Slide 25 25 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Introduction to relays A relay is an electromagnetic switch which allows one circuit to control another circuit by turning it on and off. The starter motor in a car uses a current of several hundred amps, and is controlled by a relay, making it safe and easy to operate. A relay is used to isolate a high voltage circuit, controlling it with a low voltage counterpart. There are a number or possible reasons for this: To allow the use of a smaller, more practical switch. To isolate the user from a dangerous high voltage. To allow a logic system to control high voltage components. Slide 26 26 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 How does a relay work? A relay uses an electromagnet to operate a switch. As electricity flows in the input circuit, the coil becomes an electromagnet. The coil attracts the steel switch in the output circuit, closing the switch. Electricity flows in the output circuit driving the motor. inputoutput steel switch coil circuit symbol for a relay Slide 27 27 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Separating mains and logic voltage Relays allow us to separate the output from an electronic control system, of either 0 V or 5 V, from the mains voltage of 230 V. This allows electronic control systems to turn on mains appliances, which they would otherwise be unable to run. It also protects the user from the dangerously high mains voltage. Some electronic control systems do have their own output device. This serves as an indicator, clearly showing the user the logic state of the circuit. Slide 28 28 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 LEDs as indicators 0-5 V 0 V0 V In real circuits, we must use a protective resistor in series with the LED. LEDs are ideal indicators for a logic circuit why is this? They require only a low current and voltage to emit light. Their two states, on or off, match the binary states of logic 0 and 1. This ensures a voltage of around 0.7 V across the LED, preventing the current from becoming damaging. Slide 29 29 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Outputs and relays summary Slide 30 30 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Slide 31 31 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Glossary Slide 32 32 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Anagrams Slide 33 33 of 33 Boardworks Ltd 2009 Multiple-choice quiz