GIS, Automation, Instrumentation, and Control Systems

Information Technology System

referred to as an integration of the internet and computer

Bit

Smallest form of computer language

8 bits

1 Byte

AND

all or nothing

OR

at least one true

NAND

inverted AND (not AND)

NOR

inverted OR (not OR)

XOR

exclusive OR (STRICTLY 1 true)

XNOR

exclusive NOR (inverted XOR)

Diode

One-way current gate

insulator

At cold temperatures

conductor

At warm temperatures

Optoelectronics

Study of electronics interacting with light

Transistor

Building block of modern electronics

Base

Activates transistor

Collector

Positive lead

Emitter

Negative lead

Photosensor

sensor appropriate to be used in a microcontroller for automating the turning on and off a farmstead lighting system based on the presence of sunlight

Bypass diode

Part of solar module needed such that solar charging is continuous at slower rate when partially shaded by trees

Blocking diode

A diode needed as protection against lightning in solar installations.

Timer

An integrated circuit (IC) included as an important part of electronic instrumentation for gathering speed and discharge real-time data

LM333

integrated circuit (IC) used in instrumentation and control

Microcontroller

The board used in Arduino open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software which is able to read inputs like light on a sensor, temperature reading, a finger on a button, or a Twitter message and can turn these inputs into outputs like activating a motor, turning on an LED, turning on a solenoid valve, or publishing something online

Programmable logic controller (PLC)

Programmed with ladder logic for industrial control

Microcontroller (MCU)

Microcomputer on a single integrated circuit (IC) for wide range of tasks

Digital signal processor (DSP)

Single integrated circuit (IC) like microcontroller but for higher-speed floating point calculations

Integrated Circuit

Also known as microchip/chip Compact assembly of electronic components (e.g. transistors like a mini-switch)

Supervisory control acquisition (SCADA)

Centralized platform to supervise and manage multiple devices and operations

THERMOSTAT

automatically senses the temperature and activates/deactivates the attached equipment (fans, heaters, power vents, etc.), with reference to a set temperature

TIMERS

low in cost, provide limited control for irrigation and lighting control

RELAYS

for interconnecting fans and louvers and other devices that must work together

Step controllers

takes the place of several thermostats, a device to control settings in multiple stages,

Dedicated microprocessors

simple computers, typically with a keypad and a 2-3 line liquid crystal display (80-character length for programming)

Computer Zone Controllers

provides greater control, flexibility and programmability, improves accuracy and better equipment coordination. single zone, 2 or 3 zones

Integrated Computer Control (ICC)

combines several stage or computer zone controllers and individual control devices such as timers, into a single, integrated computer system

Open loop control system

a classification of electrical control wherein the controlling device operates independently of the process variable it controls

Closed loop

automated; variable dependent

Actuator

Component of a machine responsible for moving or controlling a system

Transduction

A process of converting one form of energy to another

sensor

couples the instrument to the environmental phenomena of interest

transducer

converts the signal from the sensor into various forms (e.g. voltage or current)

SIGNAL CONDITIONER

modifies the signal from sensor-transducer so that it is easily recordable

OUTPUT

makes signal observable through readout devices

POWER SECTION

source of energy for the instrument (thermal energy, spring, battery)

Amplification

Increase magnitude of input voltage

Attenuation

Opposite of amplification

Filtering

Reject unwanted noise

Isolation

Protect from voltage outside acceptable range

Excitation

Adding external voltage

Linearization

Transforms into linear voltage

Cold-Junction Compensation

For accurate thermocouple measurements

Bridge completion

Detect small voltage change across sensors

Seebeck Effect

Temperature difference generate current

peltier effect

current generates temperature difference

Data communication

Data exchange between devices through a transmission medium (e.g. cable). Uses data conversion through a modem

Serial data communication

Send one bit at a time, many meters away

Parallel data communication

Send 8 or more lines a time, few feet away

Baud rate

Rate of data transfer in serial data communication

Protocol

Set of rules agreed by sender and receiver

Data Acquisition Systems (DAS/DAQ)

Systems that collect, process, and stores data from analog to digital.

Inverter

DC to AC converter

Rectifier

AC to DC converter

Accuracy

amount of value differing from true value or closeness to accepted standard

Precision

variability among numerous measurements

Error

difference between measured value and true value

Measurement Range

range of values for which instrument error is intended to lie

Sensitivity

smallest change in input signal giving quantifiable change in output signal

Resolution

smallest scale from output signal that is readable

thermistor

measures electrical resistance

thermocouple

Thermo-electric effect

infrared radiator

measures thermal radiation

pyranometer

measures global solar radiation (direct + diffuse)

Pyranometer with shadow ring

measures diffuse radiation

Quantum radiometer/quantum meter/PAR meter

Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) or number of photons per surface unit per time unit

anemometer

measures wind speed

Barometer

measures atmospheric pressure

hygrometer

measures humidity

manometer

measures pressure of gases or liquids

pyrometer

measures high temps often in furnace

Caliper

measures distance, often used for internal and external diameters.

micrometer

measures very small distances or thicknesses

vernier caliper

measures precision tool for length, diameter, or depth

Laser Distance Meter

measures distance using laser technology

tachometer

measures rotational speed (RPM) of motors and engines

accelerometer

measures acceleration forces

Dynamometer

measures force, torque, or power output of engines

force gauge

force applied to an object

Strain Gauge

strain on an object.

Switch

Electrical equipment used to open and to close a circuit.

Automatic transfer switch

In automatic control of irrigation dam gates, what switch is useful in the instrumentation?

Relay

A type of switch having contacts which are operated by magnetism

Solenoid

A magnetic device used to convert electrical energy into linear motion

Solenoid valve

It is an electrically-controlled switch for regulating the flow of liquid or of gas

Thermostat

A special kind of switch used to control temperature

Bimetallic thermostat

This thermostat makes use of two unlike metals that do not expand in the same amount

Float switch

It is an automatic switch used to control the level of liquid

Limit switch

An electrical switch that controls the movement of some other pieces of materials or machines such as the travel of rope, chain, or carriage

Pressure switch

An automatic control having switch contacts which are operated according to various gas or liquid pressure

Solenoid

Has a coil and armature (movable iron core)

Relay

Solenoid that makes or breaks contacts. Slower switching than transistors