Shere2000

Control Systems for Education

Computing and IT features in all areas of the modern curriculum from ICT and Mathematics to Design and Technology. Much of the reference to computing is that of office type systems of spreadsheets, word processors, databases and web sites, however, reference is also made to other areas of computing such as Computer Numerically Controlled Machines (CNC) and other systems that use either embedded or control software.

The Lego Mindstorm robot and other floor roving robots may often feature in the understanding and delivery of control systems. These systems can often be expensive and be too graphical to get across the basic concept of control as featured in many systems.

The control systems supplied by Infosoft are designed to build on knowledge, excite the imagination and have a real hands-on feel. Learners will control via the computer something that either they have built or have programmed.

The control systems trainers are design to allow cross-subject learning and help learners transfer knowledge and skills between different curriculum subjects’ areas.

Four main systems are offered each may be considered more suitable for different age groups but generally they build on each other. Each system in some way will demonstrate real-time processing and process control which features in the ICT or Design and Technology curriculum.

In the 'real world' control and embedded systems are written in High Level Languages (HLL) like C, C++, Python or SmallTalk to name a few. The programs featured in our tutorials can be written using a variety of languages and environments. However, the most accessible environment to start learning control or real-time programming is DOS - it may be old but it is simple. With this in mind, our tutorials include a free DOS operating system and a free DOS based C compiler.