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 Identify sensors and their advantages,

disadvantages
 Discuss the uses of the following sensors:
 Temperature sensor
 Pressure sensor
 Light sensor
 Humidity/moisture sensor

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 Input devices that are used to measure

physical quantities such as temperature,
pressure, amount of light etc.
 The analog signals picked up by sensors can
be sent to and then analysed by the
computer.
 Since the computer is a digital device, the
analog signals from sensors have to be
converted into digital using ADC – Analog to
digital converter
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 Advantages:
 Accurate readings than those taken by humans
 Readings can be taken more frequently than humans
 They can work even a human is not present, so costs
less
 They can work in dangerous environments (eg: down
deep mines or in nuclear reactions etc.)
 Disadvantages:
 Purchase cost
 Dirt and grease may affect performance

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 monitors temperature
 When the temperature data is sent to the
computer/microprocessor it can be used to:
• Control heaters and coolers
• Automatic washing machines
• Central heating systems
• Air conditioning systems
• Green houses
• Environmental monitoring systems

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 Measure liquid pressure, physical and

atmospheric pressure
 When connected to the
computer/microprocessor it can be used in:
• Burglar alarms
• Washing machines
• Vehicle actuated traffic signals
• Robotics – production line control
• Environmental monitoring (Eg. Flood warnings in rivers)

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 Measures light intensity

 When the light sensor data is sent to the
computer/microprocessor it can be used to:
• Security lights in campus
• Street lights
• Burglar alarm systems
• Production line control
• Scientific experiments
• Environmental monitoring (Eg. Greenhouse conditions)

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 Measures amount of moisture in the air or

soil
 When the moisture sensor data is sent to
the computer/microprocessor it can be used
to:
• Greenhouse to ensure ideal plant growth
• Weather stations
• Farming
• Industries to measure coating thickness, oil,
resin content, protein, fat, sugar etc.
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 Control applications use various output

devices in order to indicate the user about
action taken by the computer.
 Motors
 Buzzers
 Heaters
 Lights/Lamps

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 Computers can issue signals to turn electric

motors on or off.
 Special motors called stepper motors, turn
through only a certain angle depending on
the signals they receive from the computer.
 Motor applications:
• Washing machines to turn valves on/off, let
water in/out
• Operate pumps in central heating systems
• Computer controlled green houses
• Microwaves, Robots
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 Can act as a warning signs or to indicate that

a control process has been completed
 Buzzer applications:
• Washing machines to indicate wash cycle is
complete or the water in the inlet pipe has
stopped
• Microwaves to indicate the food has been
cooked or the heating time is complete
• Burglar alarms to warn that an intruder has
trespassed your house/compound
• Automatic cookers
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 Heaters can be switched on/off based on

the signals received from the computer
 Heater applications:
• Central heating system
• Automatic washing machines
• Automatic cookers
• Computer Controlled Green house

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 Can be controlled using a control system

that has alight sensor to sense the light
level.
 Applications:
• Computer Controlled Green house
• Security lights
• Street lights
• Indicators on all devices
• Smart Houses

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 Define Sensor giving any two names of sensors that are

commonly used [1]
 List any two advantages and two disadvantages of using
sensors in the real-world. [4]
 Explain the function of the following devices in a computer
controlled green house: [5]
 Temperature Sensor
 Buzzer
 Motor
 Light Sensor
 Heater
 List any two input devices and two output devices used in
Automatic washing machines and explain the purpose of these
devices [8]
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