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MECHATRONICS
GPS antenna
Radio communicator
Display
GPS receiver
FIGURE 1.15: Semi-autonomous construction equipment operation using global positioning
system (GPS), local sensors and on-vehicle sensors for closed loop sub-system control.
the control logic is distributed physically to many microcomputers. Each microcomputer
is physically closer to the sensors and actuators it is responsible for. Distributed controllers
communicate with each other and higher level controllers over a standard communication
network. There may be a separate communication network at each layer of the hierarchical
control system. The typical variables of control in process industry are fluid flow rate,
temperature, pressure, mixture ratio, fluid level in tank, and humidity.
Energy management and control of large buildings is a growing field of application
of optimized computer control. Home appliances are more and more microprocessor con-
trolled, instead of being just an electromechanical appliances. For instance, old ovens used
relays and analog temperature controllers to control the electric heater in the oven. The new
ovens use a microcontroller to control the temperature and timing of the oven operation.
Similar changes have occurred in many other appliances used in homes, such as washers
and driers.
