It consists of computers that are used to regulate the operation of other devices. It involves the use of sensors, ADCs, DACs and actuators.

Monitoring Hospital Patients The equipment monitors the bodily functions of patients who are critically ill or under assessment. Sensors are used for body temperature, infrared and light sensors for pulse rate, stretch sensors for for breathing rates Chest electrodes for electro-cardiogram Diagnostic stations monitor and records the monitored functions Diagnostic station records and monitors functions ECG traces can be included, beep and light signals to alert medical workers. Software can provide further analysis

Burglar Alarms Sensors incude microswitches or reed switches, pressure-sensitive mats and PIR movement sensors Processor can poll the sensor or the sensor can send an interrupt Output can be CCTV cameras focusing on the area being monitored, sirens or flash light actuators can also be triggered Control panels are used for arming and disarming the alarm system

Weather Monitoring Sensors are used for monitoring barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction. These are then send to monitor current trends and predict future weather

Environmental Monitoring It involves long term data-logging and computerised monitoring of the environment. Sensors may be required for pollutant gases eg Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, oxygen and pH Data can be presented in the form of a table, graph or chart, maps can also be used or alarms given

Monitoring and Control of Industrial Plants It makes reliable, accurate and precise monitoring of functions to enable operators to respond promptly It requires a real-time operating system Sensors such as pressure, temperature etc are used Information is displayed on screens, Alarm signals can also be given out. In ‘safety-critical’ systems the control system places safety limits. Redundancy can also be used to ensure safety.

Monitoring and Control Of Traffic The purpose of the system is to optimise the flow of traffic Electromagnetic sensor loops or lase distance sensors can detect the flow of traffic The signals may need to pass through an analogue-to- digital-converter Simulations of different scenarios are then used to determine the timings for traffic lights The timings can be automatically changed by the system to optimise the traffic flow

Advantages Of Computerised Systems Reliability-data is captured round the clock and on time. Frequency-readings can occur many times/second Precision-More precise than a human-being’s readings Accuracy-there are no disturbances to the system. Analysis-Data can be automatically displayed and analysed.