Sensors and actuators

 This week, our journey through the exciting realm of information technology delved into the functionalities and applications of sensors and actuators, crucial components in the world of physical computing and Arduino projects.

Understanding the different types of outputs is crucial. Motors, such as the servo motor we experimented with, are a fundamental type of output device in the world of electronics and robotics. They convert electrical energy into mechanical movement, allowing our projects to interact with the physical world. But motors are just the beginning; other types of output include LEDs, buzzers, and displays, each serving unique purposes from providing visual feedback to emitting sound notifications. By integrating these various output devices with microcontrollers like the Arduino, we can create complex, interactive systems that respond dynamically to the environment and user interactions.

A servo motor is a type of rotary actuator that allows for precise control of angular position, velocity, and acceleration. It consists of a suitable motor coupled to a sensor for position feedback. Servo motors are commonly used in applications such as robotics, in-line manufacturing, and animatronics due to their precise control. They are particularly popular in microcontroller-based projects, like those involving Arduino, because they can be controlled directly using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), which allows for the control of the motor's position very accurately. In our class, we connected a servo motor to an Arduino board and wrote code to rotate it back and forth across a 180-degree range, learning about the synchronization of software commands with physical movement.

Next, we shifted our focus to ultrasonic sensors, devices that measure the distance to an object by using sound waves. Their operation is similar to how radar measures the time it takes for a radio wave to return after hitting an object. An ultrasonic sensor emits a sound wave at a frequency too high for humans to hear. It then listens for the sound wave to bounce back and, by calculating the time difference between the sound wave being sent and received, it can determine the distance to an object. This makes ultrasonic sensors invaluable in various applications, from robotics and parking sensors in cars to obstacle avoidance systems.

The heart of any interactive system lies in its ability to process inputs and produce outputs. Inputs can come from a variety of sources, such as buttons, sensors, or even the internet, and can be either analogue or digital. Analogue inputs, like the readings from a temperature sensor, provide a continuous range of values, reflecting more nuanced information about the environment. Digital inputs, on the other hand, offer a binary choice, like a switch being either on or off. The true magic happens when we combine these inputs with outputs, creating systems that can sense and respond to their surroundings. For instance, using the ultrasonic sensor (an analogue input) to gauge distance and then triggering a motor (an output) to turn a wheel or move an arm. This interplay between analogue and digital, between sensing and acting, forms the basis of countless applications, from automated machinery to interactive art installations.

During our class, we connected an ultrasonic sensor to our Arduino Uno and programmed it to measure distances, observing the results on the serial monitor and understanding how sensors interpret the physical world into digital data that can be processed and utilized. We then paired it with a Servo motor to output the distance measured by the sensor, turning of a certain degree depending on the distance.