Electronical Components

Control

Controller

device that monitors and changes the operating conditions of a given dynamical system

• historically analog
• nowadays they are digital (microprocessor / computer)

Microcontroller

a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals.​

• Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM.​
• Microcontrollers are designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications.​

Control system

manages, commands, directs, or regulates the behaviour of other devices or systems using control loops

• open loop control: no sensor involved, controlled using only the model of the system (e.g. electrical characteristics) and the initial state (room temperature, …)
• closed loop control: adds negative feedback to adjust the system output at all times (sensor does not have to be electronical, can for example be mechanical)

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Sensors

a device, module, or subsystem whose purpose is to detect events or changes in its environment and send the information to the control

• timer not a sensor in our case (same as adding a Stromzähler,​ does not close the feedback loop, still predetermined control)

Magnetometer

instrument that measures magnetism—either magnetization of magnetic material like a ferromagnet, or the direction, strength, or the relative change of a magnetic field at a particular location.

Hall effect sensor

transducer that varies its output voltage in response to a magnetic field.​

• Hall effect sensors are used for proximity switching, positioning, speed detection, and current sensing applications.

Encoder

Electro-mechanical device that converts​ the angular position or motion of a shaft or axle to an analog or digital code​

• Magnetic encoder produces a voltage proportional to the orientation of a magnetic field​

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Motors

Electrical Motor

an electrical machine that converts electrical energy $\to$ mechanical energy

• speed of a DC motor is not controlled by an H-bridge, but rather by the amount of voltage, typically controlled through PWM

Relay

an electrically operated switch

• handles high power required to directly control an electric motor or other loads
• can be used to change direction of a DC motor using an H-bridge:

Motor driver

includes H-bridge and speed control

• IN1, IN2, ENA
• fast stop | slow stop

Example

Dimmer

• use resistor to dim a lamp?
• heating up the resistor $\Rightarrow$ high loss of energy
• instead use PWM (at least for LEDs)