ECT in Schools : Datasheets : List All Datasheets

In each of the data sheets, a diagram is used to show the type of unit and the kind of signals that come into it and go out from it.

Input Sensors – detect changes outside the electronic system

	555 Astable Turns something on, and then off, and keeps repeating this.
	Debounced Switch Produces a switch that produces a sharp change from low to high, suitable for use with a counter.
	Hall Effect Sensor The Hall effect sensor produces an output sighnal that changes when a magnet is near.
	Infrared photo module This unit is used for remote control using infrared over a distance of up to about 10m. Depending on the circuit details, it can provide simple on-off operation, or it can receive data from a hand-held remote control or a PIC.
	Keypad A keypad is used for data entry. It needs to be used with a PIC.
	Light Sensor The light sensor is used to detect changes in the amount of light in its surroundings.
	Linear temperature sensor Linear temperature sensors are used to monitor temperature accurately. They are particularly useful with PICs which have an analogue to digital converter.
	Moisture sensor The moisture sensor is used to detect changes in the wetness of its surroundings.
	Movement sensor The movement sensor is a switch. It is 'on' (closed) if the sensor is not moved. With the circuit arrangement suggested this gives a low output signal. If the sensor is moved (accelerated) the switch opens and the signal goes high.
	Optoswitch There are two types of optoswitch - the slotted optoswitch and the reflective optoswitch. Both are used to detect nearby objects. The slotted optoswitch detects when an object is in the slot. The reflective optoswitch detects when a reflective object is near the optoswitch.
	Photodetector Photodectors are semiconductor devices which respond to light. They can replace light dependent resistors and have the advantage of lower pollution and smaller size.
	Pulse Unit Turns something on, and then off, and keeps repeating this.
	Quantum Tunnelling Composite QTC comes in the form of sheet, 'pills' and cable. QTC sheet can be used to make very low cost touch switches that can be placed on the case of products. QTC 'pills' can be used to produce low cost force/pressure sensors whose resistance varies with the applied force.
	Reed Switch / Proximity Switch The reed switch is used to detect the presence of a magnet.
	Rotation Sensor / Voltage Unit The rotation sensor uses a potentiometer to sense rotation. It can also be used to produce a variable voltage.
	Sound Sensor The sound sensor provides an output signal voltage that responds to sound detected by a microphone. It will only respond to loud sounds.
	Switch Unit The switch subsystem provides a switch that closes when pressed. The output signal from the switch subsystem goes high when the switch is pressed.
	Temperature Sensor (Thermistor) The temperature sensor is used to detect changes in the temperature of its surroundings.
	Tilt Switch The tilt switch is ued to detect movement.

Process Units – change the electronic signals

	555 Monostable The 555 monostable subsystem provides an output signal that is triggered high for a period of time before returning to low.
	AND Gate Makes something happen when both inputs are activated.
	CMOS Integrated Circuits CMOS integrated circuits are widely used as Process units.
	Comparator The comparator provides a large change in signal when the input signal only changes slightly and converts an analogue signal into a digital signal. It 'compares' the voltage input signal and the voltage from a potentiometer.
	Counter The counter subsystem counts the number of signal pulses connected to its clock input.
	Delay The delay subsystem produces a delay after the input signal goes high.
	Difference Amplifier (or Subtractor) The difference amplifier is used with two analogue input signals. It gives an analogue output signal which is proportional to the difference between the two input voltages.
	Exclusive OR Gate (XOR/EOR) Makes something happen when either, but not both, inputs are activated.
	Inverter (NOT Gate) The inverter subsystem, also know as a NOT gate, provides an output signal which is opposite to the input signal. When the input signal is high, the output signal is low, and vice versa.
	NAND Gate Turns something off when both inputs are activated.
	Negative Latch The negative latch produces an output signal that goes high and remains high when the input signal has been low. It is useful for turning something on until a second signal switches it off.
	Non-Inverting Amplifier The non-inverting amplifier subsystem is used to amplify an analogue input signal.
	NOR Gate Turns something off when either input is activated.
	OR Gate Turns something on when either input is activated.
	PIC Microcontrollers PIC microcontrollers are general purpose programmable process units.
	Positive latch The positive latch produces an output signal that goes high and remains high when the input signal has been high. It is useful for turning something on until a second signal switches it off.
	Retriggerable Monostable The retriggerable monostable subsystem produces a delay after the input signal goes high.
	Schmitt Inverter The Schmitt inverter subsystem, also known as a Schmitt NOT gate, provides an output signal which is opposite to the input signal. The Schmitt inverter is ideal for converting analogue signals into digital signals.
	Summing Amplifier The summing amplifier subsystem is used to add two analogue input signals together.

Driver Units – boost the power from process units

	Darlington Driver The Darlington driver subsystem is an electronic switch that provides an output signal powerful enough to drive output subsystems requiring high current.
	L293D Driver The L293D driver subsystem is particularly useful for use with d.c. motors because it can control two motors and can drive them forwards and backwards.
	MOSFET (Transducer Driver) The MOSFET driver subsystem is an electronic switch that provides an output signal powerful enough to drive output subsystems requiring very high current.
	Relay The relay subsystem is an electrically-operated switch. It requires a separate electrical supply to provide power to an output device. It is often used for reversing motors.
	Thyristor The transistor driver subsytem is an electronic switch that provides an output signal powerful enough to drive output subsytems requiring medium current.
	Transistor A thyristor is used to drive a load. It is switched on by applying a positive voltage to its input pin (the 'gate').

Output Devices – make something happen outside the electronic system

	7 Segment Display The 7-segment display is used to display numbers.
	Bar Graph Display A bargraph display is usually used to give a visual indication of an analogue voltage signal.
	Bulb (or Lamp) The bulb subsystem converts the input signal into light.
	Buzzer (and Piezo sounder) The buzzer subsystem produces an audible tone when powered.
	LED The LED (light-emitting diode) subsystem converts the input signal into light.
	Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Liquid crystal displays are very useful for displaying both text and numbers. They display information sent from a PIC.
	Loudspeaker Loudspeakers are used to produce sounds.
	Motor The motor subsytem provides rotational motion when powered.
	Piezo Transducer Piezo transducers are used to produce sounds.
	Servo Motor Servo motors turn through a precise angle. They are controlled by a series of pulses. The width of the pulses to the servo motor controls the angle through which it turns.
	Solenoid The solenoid subsystem provides linear motion.
	Sound and Music Units are available that will play a variety of tunes and interesting sounds and that record and replay sounds.
	Stepper Motor A stepper motor turns through precise steps. So it is useful for moving things through an exact angle or distance.

We are grateful to New Wave Concepts for permission to adapt these data sheets based on their own data sheets for Control Studio software.

Other Subsystems and Components

Alternative Power Sources

	Battery Batteries are used to provide electrical power to portable electronic systems.
	Capacitors - Component Capacitors store electrical charge. They are often used for reducing 'noise' on a voltage or for controlling timing operations.
	Resistor - Component Resistors resist the flow of electricity. They are used in a wide variety of electronic subsystems to regulate current and control voltage.
	Voltage Regulator Voltage regulators are used to produce a stable power supply voltage (+Vs) from a higher (varying) d.c voltage. They can also be used to limit the current supplied.

Datasheets : List All Datasheets

Input Sensors – detect changes outside the electronic system

Process Units – change the electronic signals

Driver Units – boost the power from process units

Output Devices – make something happen outside the electronic system

Other Subsystems and Components

Notes on Combining Subsystems from data sheets