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UNIT 8
1 SENSORS

READING
Signals of a Mechatronic System
All inputs to mechatronic systems come from either some form of sensory
apparatus or communications from other systems. Transducers, devices that
convert energy from one form to another, are often used synonymously with
sensors.
Sensors can be divided into two general classifications, active or passive.
Active sensors emit a signalin order to estimate an attribute of the environment
or device being measured. Passive sensors do not. A military example of this
difference would be a strike aircraft “painting” a target using either active laser
radar (LADAR) or a passive forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor.
The output of a sensor is usually an analog signal. The simplest type of
analog signal is a voltage level with a direct (though not necessarily linear)
correlation to the input condition. A second type is a pulse width modulated
(PWM) signal, which will be explained further in a later section of this chapter
when discussing microcontroller outputs. A third type is a wave form (diagram
A). This type of signal is modulated either in its amplitude (diagram B) or its
frequency (diagram C) or, in some cases, both. These changes reflect the
changes in the condition being monitored.
There are sensors that do not produce an analog signal. Some of these
sensors produce a square wave asin diagram D that is input to the
microcontroller using the EIA 232 communications standard. The square wave
represents the binary valuesof 0 and 1. In this case the ADC is probably on-
board the sensor itself, adding to the cost of the sensor. Some sensors/recorders
can even create mail or TCP/IP packets as output.
An example of this type of unit is the MV100 MobileCorder from
Yokogawa Corporation of America.
The three common actuators are switches, solenoids, and motors.
Switches are simple state devices that control some activity, like turning on and
off the furnace in a house. Types of switches include relays and solid-state
devices. Solid-state devices include diodes, thyristors, bipolar transistors, field-
effect transistors (FETs), and metaloxide field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). A
switch can also be used with a sensor, thus turning on or off the entire sensor, or
a particular feature of a sensor.
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Solenoids are devices containing a movable iron core that is activated by

a current flow. The movement of this core can then control some form of
hydraulic or pneumaticflow. Applications are many, including braking systems
and industrial production of fluids. Motors are the last type of actuator that will
tóm tắt
be summarized here. There are three main types: direct current (DC), alternating
current (AC), and stepper motors. DC motors may be controlled by a fixed DC
voltage or by pulse width modulation (PWM). In a PWM signal, such as shown
in diagram E, a voltage is alternately turned on and off while changing
(modulating) the width of the on-time signal, or duty cycle. AC motors are
generally cheaper than DC motors, but require variable frequency drive to
control the rotational speed. Stepper motors move by rotating a certain number
of degrees in response to an input pulse.
1. READING COMPREHENSION

Task 1: Decide whether the following statements are true or false (T/F) by
referring to the information in the text. Then make the necessary changes so
that the false statements become true.
duy nhất máy móc
1. All inputs to mechatronic systems come exclusively from sensory apparatus. f
2. Transducers and sensors are two terms used interchangeably to describe
devices that convert energy from one form to another. t
3. Active sensors emit a signal to estimate an attribute of the environment or
device being measured. t
4. Passive sensors emit a signal to estimate an attribute of the environment or
device being measured. f
5. An example of active sensor application is a passive forward-looking infrared
tia hồng ngoại
(FLIR) sensor used by strike aircraft. f
6. The output of a sensor is usually a digital signal. f
7. Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signals involve alternating the amplitude and
frequency of the signal. f
8. Some sensors produce a square wave signal that can be used to represent
binary values. t
9. The MV100 MobileCorder from Yokogawa Corporation of America is an
example of a sensor that produces analog signals. f
10. Stepper motors rotate a certain number of degrees in response to an input
pulse. t
Task 2: Read the text to find the answer to these questions.
1. What are the sources of inputs to mechatronic systems?
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2. How are transducers related to sensors?
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3. What is the distinction between active and passive sensors?
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4. Give an example of the difference between active and passive sensors.
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5. What types of signals do sensors usually produce as output?
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6. What is the simplest type of analog signal and what is its correlation?
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7. Explain the second type of signal, a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.
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8. How is the third type of signal, a waveform, modulated?
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9. What is the purpose of a square wave produced by some sensors?
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10. What are the three main types of actuators summarized in the text?
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Answer: The three main types are switches, solenoids, and motors.

Task 3: Match the words and phrases in column A with its explanation in
column B
A B
1. Mechatronic Systems …….. a. Devices that convert energy from one
hệ thống cơ điện tử form to another, often used
i
synonymously with sensors.
2. Transducers …….. b. Emit a signal to estimate attributes and
bộ biến đổi a
require a response from the
environment or device.
3. Active Sensors …….. c. Produce a signal without emitting a
cảm biến chủ động b response, as opposed to active sensors.
4. Passive Sensors …….. d. A continuous signal that corresponds
cảm biến thụ động c
to the input condition through voltage
correlation.
5. Analog Signal …….. e. Alternates between on and off states
tín hiệu tương tự f while modulating the width of the on-
time signal.
6. Pulse Width Modulated …….. f. Modulated signal in its amplitude or
(PWM) Signal e frequency to reflect changes in the
tín hiệu điều chế độ rộng xung monitored condition.
7. Waveform Signal …….. g. Represents binary values of 0 and 1,
tín hiệu dạng sóng f used as input to a microcontroller.
8. Square Wave …….. h. Components that perform an action
tín hiệu xung vuông g based on input signals.
9. Actuators …….. I Systems that receive inputs from
truyền động
h sensory apparatus or communications
from other systems.
10. DC Motors …….. j. Motors that can be controlled by a
động cơ một chiếu j
fixed DC voltage or by pulse width
modulation (PWM).

Task 4: Read the text again. For Question 1 – 8, choose the correct answer A,
Bor C
1. What’s the transducer?
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A. a converter of energy from one form to another

B. a converter from one form of sensor to another
C. a converter of information
2. Sensors can be divided into
A. active or passive
B. active or non-active
C. active or inductive
3. Input signals come intomechatronics systems from
A. sensors or other systems
B. outputs of other systems
C. other systems 42
4. The output of a sensor is only
A. analog signal and TCP/IP packets
B. digital signal and TCP/IP packets
C. analog, TCP/IP packets and square signals
5. Difference between active and passive sensor is that
A. active sensors emit signals, passive sensors do not emit signals
B. active sensors receive signals, passive sensors do not emit signals
C. both active and passive sensors emit signals
6. Solenoids are
A. devices which have an immobile iron core that is activated by a current flow
B. devices which have a movable iron core that is activated by a current flow
C. devices having a mobile iron core that is not activated by a current flow
7. Switches
A. control some activity
B. control relays and solid-state devices
C. switch some devices
8. Ways of DC motor control is
A. fixed DC voltage
B. fixed DC voltage and pulse width modulation
C. pulse width modulation
2. LANGUAGE FOCUS

2.1. Grammar structure

a. Describing definitions or explanation
The following common words and expressions are used in definitions or
explanations
is/are by … we mwan
means by …. is meant
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is taken to be in other words

denotes That is (to say)
is/can be defined as
Example:
- Mechatronics is a modern trend of science.
- It can be defined as synergetic association of mechanics, electronics and
control.
- In other words, it is not a simple fusion of these components.
- By mechatronics approach is meant a qualitatively new stage of engineering
practice.
- Electronics development denotes an opportunity of practical implementation of
complex control algorithms, which is a unique platform for industrial
achievements.
b. Definition of a term
To define a term, it is possible to use a noun, a noun phrase, or a clause which
is separated from the rest of the sentence by commas or dashes.
Example:
- Mechatronics – the combination of mechanical engineering, computing, and
electronics – is used in the design and development of new manufacturing techniques.
- A system – assembly of electronic, electrical, or mechanical components with
interdependent functions – usually forms a self-contained unit.
- A measuring system, complex of devices which are processing signals, is applied in
mechatronics systems.
3. Translate the following sentences into Vietnamese
1. An example of a mechatronic system is the common heating/cooling system for
homes and offices. Simple systems use a bimetal thermostat with contact points
controlling a mercury switch that turns on and off the furnace or air conditioner.
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2. A modern environmental control system uses these same basic components along
with other components and computer program control. A temperature sensor monitors
the physical environmentand produces a voltage level (though generally not nearly
such a smooth function
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3. After conversion by the ADC, the microcontroller uses the digitized temperature
data along with a 24-hour clock and the user requested temperatures to produce a
digital controlsignal.
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