16.3 DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEMS 811Memory and
instructionsComputerDigital
processorDrill-motor
drive Drilling operationDrill positionDrill
position
mechanismPosition
feedback
network(Electromechanical drive)Sampled-data position-control systemInput
numeric
dataFigure 16.3.6Simplified block diagram of a digitally controlled drill press.
Digital computer Sequencer Drive circuit Step motorDigital position
encoderRead–write headFigure 16.3.7Step-motor control system for read–write head positioning on a disk drive.
when a conductive surface, such as an airplane, appears in the signal path. While the antenna
is continuously rotated in search of a target, the antenna is stopped when the target is located.
It is pointed toward the target by varying its angular direction until a maximum echo is heard.
The position coordinateθ(t) of the antenna is usually controlled through a gear train by a dc
servomotor. The motor torque is varied in both magnitude and direction by means of a control
voltage obtained from the amplifier output. The control problem is then to command the motor
such that the outputθ(t) is nearly the same as the reference angular positionθr(t). The closed
loop can be controlled by a digital controller.
Microprocessor Control
The microprocessor, which has rapidly become a key component in digital control systems, and
its associated circuits function as the digital processor. It is often used as a dedicated computer
Transducer (amplifier)Controller Motor andantennaTransducerPosition
command
θr(t)Position θ(t)Figure 16.3.8Plant model of a position servo in a radar system.