Control System, also known as Physical System Control, is a type of computer system designed to control, measure, and monitor a physical system. These systems include many types of automation and control devices, including controllers, sensors, and actuators.
The primary purpose of control systems is to monitor and regulate physical systems. This is generally achieved by providing feedback from the physical system being controlled to the control system. This information is used to adjust the behavior of the physical system to meet certain design objectives. For example, a process plant may need to adjust pressure, flows, levels, and temperatures to meet specifications, or a robot may need to move particles and measure distances.
Control systems generally consist of components such as processors, sensors, actuators, and communication protocols. The processor is typically a general-purpose computing device such as a microcontroller or a programmable logic controller (PLC). The sensors are used to measure the physical system’s operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure, flow, and weight. The actuators are used to adjust the system’s physical conditions, such as valves, pumps, and motors. The communication protocols are used to communicate between the physical system and the control system.
Control systems are used in many different applications, such as industrial automation, automotive control systems, process control, robotics, and industrial safety systems. Control systems are used in all industries, from automotive to pharmaceuticals, from mining to manufacturing, and they are also used in consumer products, such as household appliances.
Control systems are important because they can reduce human error, improve accuracy and efficiency, increase safety, and reduce operational costs. This is why they are such an important part of modern industry.
