Modern Control technology: Components and systems

A control system is a collection of components working together under the direction of some machine intelligence. In most cases, electronic circuits provide the intelligence, and electromechanical components such as sensors and motors provide the interface to the physical world. A good example is the modern automobile. Various sensors supply the on-board computer with information about the engine’s condition. The computer then calculates the precise amount of fuel to be injected into the engine and adjusts the ignition timing.