ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the possibilities and reasons for the application of the digital computer to accomplish feedback control of physical systems. It explains the use of digital control elements from the points of view of economics, reliability, and ability to handle complex control tasks with great speed. The chapter discusses the elements of data conversion hardware, which comprises the digital computer and the “real” world. Any engineer who has casually witnessed the development of the electronic hand calculator can attest to the rate of change of hardware in microprocessor-based systems. It is clear by observation of product applications that the microprocessor will continue to play a larger role in future control and communication applications, particularly those of cellular telephony and computer networking. The temperature in the chamber is measured by a thermocouple and some associated amplifying and scaling circuitry. The voltage output from the amplifier is then converted by the on-board analog-to-digital converter of the microcontroller.
