← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Automated systems in transport

A vehicle or traffic system where sensors send data to a microprocessor, which controls actuators to steer, brake or signal without a driver controlling every action.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 6.1 Automated Systems — Module 29, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Understanding Digital Problems — Module 22

Understanding Automated systems in transport in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The distance reading from the sensor is checked against a stored value and the output (the beep) warns the driver. The infra-red sensor input is tested by the microprocessor, which then triggers the actuator that brakes the train. Automatic braking is an actuator. A sensor only collects data, such as the distance to an obstacle. Proximity and infra-red sensors detect nearby objects. Moisture and pH sensors measure things that are not relevant to obstacles on a track. Parking sensors are proximity sensors. They send distance data to the microprocessor, which controls the buzzer (an output device). The system uses sensors, a microprocessor and actuators to steer, brake or signal without a driver controlling every action. Human oversight is still sensible.

Common mistakes: A sensor is an input device, so the microprocessor must READ the distance from it. It cannot write to it. The line should be distance ← READ(front_sensor). In pseudocode assignment the variable goes on the left and the value on the right. The line should be light ← GREEN so the traffic light actuator is set to green.

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Learning

Duo

In an automated transport system, what makes the decision after receiving data from the sensors?

The microprocessorThe actuator

Matches

A driverless car needs no sensors because the microprocessor already knows where every obstacle is.

↓

Wrong: the microprocessor can only act on data. Sensors are needed to capture information about obstacles, the road and other vehicles.

Applying

Meanings

Term

automated transport system

Meaning

A vehicle or traffic system where sensors send data to a microprocessor, which controls actuators to steer, brake or signal without a driver controlling every action.

Practice

WHILE moving = TRUE DO

Testing

Gaps

IF distance < 10 THEN ()

Check Answer

Spots

1WHILE car_is_moving

2 WRITE distance TO front_sensor

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Quick Questions

1. In an automated transport system, what makes the decision after receiving data from the sensors?

A. The microprocessor ✓

B. The actuator

The microprocessor processes the sensor data and decides what to do. The actuator only carries out the action, such as braking.

2. Which part of a driverless car physically applies the brakes?

A. An actuator ✓

B. A sensor

Automatic braking is an actuator. A sensor only collects data, such as the distance to an obstacle.

3. A driverless train needs to detect an obstacle on the track ahead. Which sensors suit this job?

A. Moisture or pH sensors

B. Proximity or infra-red sensors ✓

Proximity and infra-red sensors detect nearby objects. Moisture and pH sensors measure things that are not relevant to obstacles on a track.

4. Parking sensors beep faster as a car gets closer to a wall. What are the sensors measuring?

A. The distance to the object ✓

B. The temperature of the object

Parking sensors are proximity sensors. They send distance data to the microprocessor, which controls the buzzer (an output device).

5. True or false: In an automated transport system, a driver must control every single action.

A. True

B. False ✓

The system uses sensors, a microprocessor and actuators to steer, brake or signal without a driver controlling every action. Human oversight is still sensible.

Match the Pairs

if distance < 2 then brake() → The microprocessor compares the proximity sensor reading with a stored value and makes the braking actuator slow the vehicle when an obstacle is too close.

if carWaiting then lights = GREEN → An automatic traffic light uses a sensor to detect a waiting vehicle and the microprocessor changes the signal.

Parking sensors measure how far away an obstacle is and warn the driver when the car gets too close. → if rearDistance < 30 then beep()

A driverless train uses an infra-red sensor to detect an obstacle on the track and stops the train. → if infraRed = OBSTACLE then stopTrain()

A driverless car needs no sensors because the microprocessor already knows where every obstacle is. → Wrong: the microprocessor can only act on data. Sensors are needed to capture information about obstacles, the road and other vehicles.

The brakes are the sensor that detects a obstacle and sends data to the microprocessor. → Wrong: brakes are an actuator that act on the microprocessor's output. A proximity or infra-red sensor detects the obstacle.

Key Term

automated transport system

A vehicle or traffic system where sensors send data to a microprocessor, which controls actuators to steer, brake or signal without a driver controlling every action.

Fill in the Blanks

1. distance ← readProximity() IF distance < 10 THEN applyBrakes() ENDIF

Hint: Type the name of the actuator command that slows the vehicle when an obstacle is close.

2. IF obstacle = TRUE THEN stopTrain() ENDIF

Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks whether the infra-red sensor value matches TRUE.

3. IF carWaiting = TRUE THEN changeLight("GREEN") ENDIF

Hint: Type the command name that makes the traffic light actuator switch to a new signal.

4. rearDistance ← readParkingSensor() IF rearDistance < 30 THEN soundBuzzer() ENDIF

Hint: Type the variable that stores the parking sensor reading being compared with the stored value.

5. WHILE journeyActive = TRUE stopIfObstacle() ENDWHILE

Hint: Type the keyword that makes the driverless vehicle keep checking its sensors for as long as the journey continues.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A WHILE car_is_moving

B WRITE distance TO front_sensor

C IF distance < 5 THEN

D brake ← ON

E ENDIF

F ENDWHILE

Line B — A sensor is an input device, so the microprocessor must READ the distance from it. It cannot write to it. The line should be distance ← READ(front_sensor).

Question 2

A WHILE TRUE

B cars ← READ(road_sensor)

C IF cars > 0 THEN

D GREEN ← light

E ENDIF

F ENDWHILE

Line D — In pseudocode assignment the variable goes on the left and the value on the right. The line should be light ← GREEN so the traffic light actuator is set to green.

Question 3

A distance ← READ(buzzer)

B IF distance < 30 THEN

C buzzer ← ON

D ENDIF

Line A — Parking distance comes from a sensor. A buzzer is an output device (actuator) and cannot be read for distance. It should be READ(rear_sensor).

Question 4

A obstacle ← READ(infra_red)

B IF obstacle = TRUE THEN

C brake ← ON

D speed ← 100

E ENDIF

Line D — When the infra-red sensor detects an obstacle the train must stop. Setting the speed to 100 makes it go faster. It should be speed ← 0.

Question 5

A IF engine = ON

B gap ← READ(proximity)

C IF gap < 10 THEN

D brake ← ON

E ENDIF

F ENDWHILE

Line A — The system must keep checking the proximity sensor all the time the engine is on, so it needs a WHILE loop. It should be WHILE engine = ON to match ENDWHILE.

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