CHAPTER NO 1 AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
16 marks
Introduction to Automobile Electronics:-
Electronics have been relatively slow in coming to the automobile primarily
because of the relationship between the added cost and the benefits.
Historically, the first electronics (other than radio) were introduced into the
commercial automobile during the late 1950s and early 1960s. However, these
features were not received by customers, so they were discontinued from
production automobiles.
Two major events occurred during the 1970s that started the trend towards the
use of modern electronics in the automobile:
1. The introduction of government regulations for exhaust emissions and
fuel economy, which required better control of the engine….
2. The development of relatively low cost solid-state digital electronic
devices that could be used for engine control.
Electronics is being used now in the automobile and probably will be used even
more in the future. Some of the present and potential applications for electronics
are:-
1. Electronic engine control for minimizing exhaust emissions and
maximizing fuel economy.
2. Instrumentation for measuring vehicle performance parameters and for
diagnosis of ON-BOARD system malfunctions.
3. Power train control system
4. Vehicle motion control
5. Safety and convenience
6. Entertainment/communication/navigation……
Use of Diodes:-
A diode is an electrical one-way check valve that will allow current to flow in
one direction only. A diode is the simplest semiconductor device. It is formed
by joining P-type semiconductor material with N- type material. The N
(negative) side of a diode is called the cathode and the P (positive) side is called
the anode. The point where the cathode and anode join together is called the PN
junction.
Semiconductor diode (Zener diode):-
If a diode is reverse-baised it will not conduct current. However, if the reverse
voltage is increased, a voltage level will be reached at which the diode will
conduct in the reverse direction. This voltage is called zener voltage. Reverse
current can destroy a simple PN-type diode, but the diode can be doped with
materials that will withstand reverse current.
A zener diode is designed to operate in the break-down region. At the point that
zener voltage is reached, a large current floes in reverse bais. This prevents
voltage from climbing any higher. This makes the zener diode an excellent
component for regulating voltage. If the zener diode is rated at 15 volts, it will
not conduct in the reverse direction when the voltage is below 15 volts. At 15
volts it will conduct and the voltage will not increase over 15 volts.
An example of semiconductor diode used in voltage regulation is shown below:
POWER DIODES
Power diodes are different from normal PN junction diodes. It has a large
current carrying capacity i.e it can handle large power.
Power diodes are capable of passing as much as several hundred amperes of
forward current. This makes it suitable for applications where larger current and
higher voltages are involved.
An example of use of power diodes in charging system is shown in the figure.
We make use of six diodes which are used to supply the current to the field
diodes required for the excitation of the field windings. Thus the current from
the stator is used to excite the field windings with the help of power diodes.
Light-Emitting Diodes:-
A light-emitting diode (LED) is similar in operation to the diode, except the
LED emits light when it is forward-baised. The light-emitting diode has a small
lens built into it so light can be seen when current floes through the diode.
When the LED is forward baised, the holes and electrons combine and current is
allowed to flow through it. The energy generated is released in the form of light.
Normally an LED requires 1.5 to 2.2 volts to light. It is the material used to
make the led that
will determine the colour of the light emitted.
Photo Diodes:-
A photo diode also allows current to flow in one direction only. However the
direction of current flow is opposite a standard diode. Reverse current flow only
occurs when the diode receives a specific amount of light. These types of diodes
can be used in automatic headlight systems.
Application of photodiode and LED in ignition system is given below:
Application:
1. LEDs are used in head lamps and tail lamps
2. It is used in light control panels.
3. It is used in interior lighting system of the car.
4. It is used in household applications.
Introduction to digital visual display and analog visual display:
Note: - Please refer notes on chapter no 1 (Automotive electrical and electronic
system) e.g. Fuel gauge, Temperature gauge, Pressure Gauge ….for analog
visual display. For digital visual display refer chapter no 4 (Autotronics)
Instrumentation.
Introduction to Binary Numbers
Most modern computer systems operate on the binary logic. A binary number
system use only two digits namely 0 and 1. It uses a base 2 system.
The binary digits (0 and 1) are also called as bits. Thus the binary system is a
two bit system. The left most bit in a given binary number with the highest
weight is called as the most significant bit (MSB) whereas the rightmost bit in a
given number with the lowest weight is called as the least significant bit (LSB).
It is represented as (0, 1)2
A transistor that operates as a relay is the basis of the digital computer. As the
input signal switches from ‘off’ to ‘on’, the transistor output switches from
cutoff to saturation. The on and off output signals represent the binary digits 1
and 0.
The computer converts the digital signal into binary code by translating voltages
above a given value to l and voltages below a given value to 0. As shown in
figure when the switch is open and 5 volts is sensed, the voltage value is
translated into a 1(high voltage). When the switch is closed, lower voltage is
sensed and the voltage value is translated into a 0. Each 1 or 0 represents one bit
of information. Note, high voltage being translated to a 1 and low voltage to a 0
is given for explanation purposes. In some systems a low voltage is represented
by a binary 1 while a high voltage is equal to 0.
In the binary system, whole numbers are grouped from right to left. Because the
system uses only two digits. The first portion must equal a 1 or a 0. To write the
value of 2, the second position must be used. In binary, the value of 2 would be
represented by 10 (one two and zero ones). To continue, a 3 would be
represented by 11(one two and one one). Figure illustrates the conversion of
binary numbers to digital base ten numbers. For example, if a thermistor is
sensing 150 degrees, the binary code would be 10010110. If the temperature
increases to 151 degrees, the binary code changes to10010111.
SOLVE:
1. (101101)2 = ( )10
2. (1011.01) 2 = ( ) 10
3. (105) 10 = ( )2
4. (25) 10 = ( )2
5. (49.25) 10 = ( )2
