IGCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE:
AUTOMATED AND EMERGING
TECHNOLOGIES (AUTOMATED
SYSTEMS) EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Define an automated system.
What do such automated systems often involve? - Answer-- An automated system is a
combination of software and hardware that is designed and programmed to work
automatically without the need of any human intervention.
- However, such automated systems often involve human monitoring.
Describe the function of sensors. - Answer-Sensors are input devices that take readings
from their surroundings and send this data to a microprocessor or computer.
Describe the conversion of data, in case it is analogue. - Answer-If the data is analogue,
it is first converted into a digital format by an analogue-digital converter (ADC).
Describe the function of the microprocessor. - Answer-The microprocessor will process
the data and take the necessary action based on programming.
What will this involve? - Answer-This will involve some form of output, usually involving
signals sent to actuators to control motors, wheels, solenoids, and so on.
Industrial Applications:
In recent years, what has the focus on increased automation led to? - Answer-The focus
on increased automation has led to improved quality and flexibility.
Describe automation in the manufacture of car engines. - Answer-When done manually,
the installation of pistons into the engine had an error-rate of ~1.5%; with automated
systems, the error-rate has fallen to 0.00001%.
a. What is a key use of automated systems?
b. Why is this a good example?
c. What is at the centre of the system? - Answer-a. In the control and monitoring of a
nuclear power station.
b. Automation gives increased safety both in the process itself and to the workforce.
c. A distributed control system (DCS).
, Describe the function of a DCS. - Answer-A powerful computer that has been
programmed to monitor and control the whole process with no human interaction
required.
a. Data from a number of ____ is sent to a ____ (computer). If the data is _____, it must
first be converted into ____ format using an ____.
b. What will the DCS have access to?
c. What occurs if any action needs to be taken? - Answer-a. Sensors, DCS, Analogue,
Digital, ADC.
b. A large database containing operational data and parameters.
c. Signals will be sent to the appropriate actuators to operate pumps, valves, or even an
emergency shutdown system.
d. What is the key here?
e. Where will a human operator (the supervisor) sit?
f. While the process is fully automatic, what can the supervisor still override? - Answer-
d. The system is fully automated.
e. In a remote control room, where a schematic of the process will show on a large
screen.
f. The DCS and shut down the process.
What are the main advantages of a nuclear power station? (1) - Answer-Much faster
than a human operator to take any necessary action.
What are the main advantages of a nuclear power station? (2) - Answer-Much safer (an
automated system is more likely to make timely interventions than a human; it also
keeps humans away from a dangerous environment).
What are the main advantages of a nuclear power station? (3) - Answer-The process is
more likely to run under optimum conditions, since any small changes needed can be
identified very quickly and action taken.
What are the main advantages of a nuclear power station? (4) - Answer-In the long run,
it is less expensive (an automated system replaces most of the workforce who would
need to monitor the process 24 hours a day).
What are the main disadvantages of a nuclear power station? (1) - Answer-Expensive to
set up in the first place and needs considerable testing.
What are the main disadvantages of a nuclear power station? (2) - Answer-Always
possible for a set of conditions to occur that were never considered during testing,
which could have safety implications (hence the need for a supervisor).
What are the main disadvantages of a nuclear power station? (3) - Answer-Any
computerised system is subject to cyberattacks no matter how good the system (one
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