Topic 7 - Control(HL)
Question 1
HLPaper 1A number of devices in and around the home can be operated by control systems.
A home owner wishes to install automatic lights to illuminate a water fountain in her garden. These lights will automatically turn on at sunset and turn off at sunrise.
Describe two hardware components that would be an essential part of this control system.
Explain the concept of feedback, with respect to computer control systems in general.
The home owner has also installed a control system that waters the flowerbeds in the garden. This system aims to maintain the water content of the flowerbeds between a minimum and a maximum value. However, the system is only activated when the light intensity is below a certain level.
Outline the algorithm involved in controlling the watering system described above.
Question 2
HLPaper 1Outline one feature of autonomous agents.
Question 3
HLPaper 1An oil and gas company has a networked computer system for use of their employees in the Head Office.
The company also uses the internet to enable communication with employees working on exploration and production in many remote geographical areas.
The sub-sea oil and gas exploration and production unit of the company relies on thousands of kilometres of pipeline which are monitored by a computer control system which can detect leaks.
The process of detecting leaks is carried out by sensors which are continuously monitoring changes in the flow and pressure of the liquids in the pipes.
This data is processed on a computer in the office.
If any of sensor values are outside of the acceptable parameters stored on a disk in the office, the following error routines are performed:
- an alarm is sounded on the computer at the office
- an email message is sent to managers in the Head Office.
Identify one hardware security measure that will ensure that confidential data from the Head Office cannot be accessed.
Identify one software security measure that will ensure that confidential data from the Head Office cannot be accessed.
Identify one network security measure.
Explain the environmental benefit of using a computer control system to monitor the pipeline.
Explain the relationship between sensors, output transducers and processor in this situation.
Construct a system flowchart to represent the process described above.
Question 4
HLPaper 1A mobile phone has been developed with its own dedicated operating system and is to be used as part of a smart home system in Singapore. The smart home system includes a centralized air conditioning system, a burglar alarm and a surveillance system.
Identify two functions of an operating system.
Explain one benefit of using a dedicated operating system on the mobile phone instead of a generic operating system.
Explain how sensors and microprocessors are used to ensure that the air conditioning system is able to maintain a constant temperature in the smart house.
The developers of the smart home system are considering developing a smart home system that uses a distributed control system to manage the temperature.
Contrast the use of a distributed air conditioning system with a centralized air conditioning system for maintaining a constant temperature in the smart home.
Question 5
HLPaper 1Cars have many automated features to improve the driving experience. One example is the use of headlights that automatically switch on and off.
Some cars have adaptive cruise control. This uses RADAR technology and a processor to ensure the car stays the same distance away from the car in front.
A system with many functions operating independently could be managed using either centralized or decentralized processing.
As vehicles become fully autonomous (self-driving), ethical considerations must be taken into account when designing software.
State one input device used by the automated headlights.
Explain how the interaction between the inputs, processing and the outputs of the feedback loop ensure the car stays the same distance away from the car in front.
Discuss the use of centralized and decentralized processing in the context of control systems such as those involved in the operation of motor vehicles.
Explain one ethical concern that must be considered in the development of autonomous vehicles.
Question 6
HLPaper 1A rail transport company uses a global positioning system (GPS) to determine a train’s position.
The GPS data is used to provide real-time arrival data on video displays in train stations.
The GPS data is made publicly available so that software developers can use it to build apps.
The mobile application ATrainAway uses the real-time train GPS data as well as the GPS data from the user’s smartphone.
Explain how GPS works.
State one data item concerning the arrival of a train that may be provided on the video display.
Outline how sensors can be used in combination with GPS to provide more accurate arrival data.
Outline two pieces of information that the ATrainAway application could provide to the user.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using GPS in transportation systems.
Question 7
HLPaper 1A company produces and sells domestic floor-cleaning robots.
The floor-cleaning robots can clean different surfaces like wood and carpet. The floor‑cleaning robots can also avoid obstacles or stairs.
Sensors are used by the processor that controls the floor-cleaning robot so that it can move safely.
A computerized security system for the company’s headquarters protects against unauthorized access using a swipe-card system. Each door has a swipe-card reader that is connected to the central computer. A database stores the IDs of all employees and the rooms they are allowed to access.
Describe two types of sensors used in the floor-cleaning robots.
Explain the function of an output transducer in this situation.
Identify one alternative computerized method that could be used in place of the swipe-card readers.
Describe how the method identified in (c)(i) functions.
Compare polling and interrupts as mechanisms for the swipe-card readers to interact with the central computer.
Question 8
HLPaper 1A biotechnology company owns a resource centre which collects and classifies organisms for use in research.
Only authorized employees are allowed access to some laboratories in the resource centre.
These laboratories are protected by locked doors. Each door is controlled by a separate microprocessor. A digital camera is used to scan the iris of an employee who wishes to enter the lab. If the employee is authorized the doors are unlocked.
The company is planning to use a centralized computer system to secure the resource centre’s building.
The operating system has an important role in this system.
Identify two benefits of using a digital camera as an input device in this control system.
Outline the use of a microprocessor in this control system.
Outline the function of an output transducer.
Compare a centrally controlled system with the system described above.
Identify two functions of the operating system.
Polling and interrupt are two operating system management techniques.
Suggest with reasons which of these two techniques is the most appropriate for this centrally controlled system.
Question 9
HLPaper 1A washing machine manufacturer has created its website to be viewed on standard desktop computers as well as mobile devices. The mobile browsing experience differs from desktop browsing.
Different devices such as desktop computers and mobile devices have different operating systems.
Define the term screen resolution.
Describe two issues resulting from the website being viewed on various devices, such as desktops and smartphones.
Explain the role of the operating system (OS) in terms of managing the hardware resources.
A washing machine uses a control system.
The microprocessor controls the washing machine and its actions. To complete the wash and rinse process the user selects the program, loads the washing machine and pushes the start button.
Describe the interaction between the sensors, microprocessors and output transducers in this situation.
Question 10
HLPaper 1A business has a range of different computers within the organization, including laptops, desktops and file servers. Wherever possible the organization uses a common operating system on its computers.
Memory requirements and processor speed will vary depending on the tasks required of the computer.
The business has decided to implement a computer-based system to switch the room lights on and off automatically. The lights will only be switched on if the level of light is below a specific reading and there are people in the room. The lights will be switched off when the room has been unoccupied for at least five minutes.
Outline two resource management techniques that are likely to be carried out by the operating system of a desktop computer.
Outline one way the operating system hides the complexity of the hardware from the computer user.
Contrast the memory requirements of a laptop computer and a file server.
Contrast the processor speed requirements of a laptop computer and a file server.
State two types of sensor that are required to control the lighting to ensure it switches on when it is required.
Explain how the system makes use of the data it receives from the sensors to determine when to switch the lights on.
Outline how the system will prevent the lights from being switched off too quickly when it thinks the room is unoccupied.
