10. Electronics of Control Systems

This Association for Science Education (ASE) publication about the Electronics of Controls Systems was developed in association with Marconi. At the time, the company was in the front rank of the world's defence electronics industry. Its wide range of activities also included space systems and computer-based and sonar underwater systems for hydrographers, marine navigators, and off-shore oil operators.

The booklet contained guidance for teachers and notes for students. It included activities suitable for both students aged 14 to 16 (CSE and O-level work) and for students aged 16 to 19 (A-level work). The experiments were mainly constructional exercises in which devices, similar to those used by Marconi Command and Control Systems, were to be made or tested.

Teachers’ Guide
1. Industrial background
2. Educational scope
3. Notes on experiments
Section A: Transforming a d.c. power supply
• Experiment A(i): Step-up voltage regulator
• Experiment A(ii): Step-down voltage regulator
• Experiment A(iii): High current step-down regulator
• Experiment A(iv): Constant output voltage regulator
Section B: Microwave radiation
• Experiment B(i): Microwave Doppler module
Section C: Testing electronic components
• Experiment C(i): Testing a simple electric circuit
Section D: Infra-red radiation
• Experiment D(i): The principle of the thermal imager
Appendix: Relationships to physics and electronics syllabuses

Students’ Notes
Introduction
Experiment A(i): Step-up voltage regulator
Experiment A(ii): Step-down voltage regulator
Experiment A(iii): High current step-down regulator
Experiment A(iv): Constant output voltage regulator
Experiment B(i): Microwave Doppler module
Experiment C(i): Testing a simple electric circuit
Experiment D(i): The principle of the thermal imager

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx5hm