What is Simulation or Computer modeling in ICT

Modelling Applications using ICT

What is Modelling?

Computers can be used to simulate different scenarios to work out all of the possible outcomes. This is called 'modelling'.

What is a computer model/simulation?

1. Simulations aim to mimic (copy) real life systems in order to see the outcomes of different scenarios.
2. Another name for a computer simulation that mimics real life situations is a 'computer model'.

Computer simulations can be created for a range of applications including:

Advantages of using computer models/simulations

1. Cheaper
2. Safer
3. Saves Time
4. Greater Range of Situations

Disadvantages of using computer models/simulations

1. Accuracy
2. Initial Expense
3. Programmer Error

  

Examples of computer modelling include:

1. Flight simulators to help train aircraft pilots
2. 3D models of buildings and products to simulate how designs will look when built
3. Spreadsheet models to simulate profit/loss based on different levels of income.
4. Driving Simulation for entertainment, training and crash testing.

What is Measurement Applications or Data Logging using ICT

Measurement Applications (Data Logging) using ICT

What is Data Logging?

Computers are sometimes used alongside sensors to measure quantities such as pressure, temperature, radiation etc. This is known as 'data logging'.

What are sensors used for?

1. Sensors are used to automatically detect and measure physical quantities.
2. If the sensor is connected to a computer, the computer can read the data coming from the sensor and log it at preset time intervals (hourly for example). This is sometimes called 'data logging'.
3. This allows us to see changes in the quantities (temperature increasing or decreasing for example)

Why we use a computer to measure sensor data instead of a person?

Computers are much better at reading and measuring quantity data taken from sensors for the following reasons:

More reliable  : Computers will not forget to take the readings.

Accuracy : The computer will read the data more accurately than a person.

Response time : Computers can react much quicker to data received. For example, if a patient's heart rate drops to critical levels an alarm could be sounded automatically.

Work longer : Computers can read data all day, every day without getting bored or tired.

Frequency of readings : Computers can read the data more frequently than humans can (1000's of times a second if needed).

Automatic Readings : No need for a human to be present. This frees people up to carry out other tasks.

Safer : Some environments can be lethal to humans. For example monitoring radiation levels in a damaged power station.

Examples of Computer Measurement Applications

1. Scientific Experiments
2. Electronic Timing
3. Environmental Monitoring

Examples of Computer Measurement Applications

Scientific Experiments

Data logging can be setup to automatically to monitor and record data generated by scientific experiments.

Water Temperature Example: Imagine you are conducting an experiment that records the temperature of water as it transforms from solid ice into hot steam. We would need to use the following:

1. Thermostat to measure the temperature of the water
2. ADC to convert the analogue temperature data into digital
3. Computer to receive and log the digital temperature data
4. Software to analyze the received data

Electronic Timing

Computerized data logging can be used to accurately to measure time.

Olympic 100 Meters Race Example: Sound Sensor to record when the race is started

1. Infrared Sensor to record when the athlete crosses the finish line
2. ADC to convert the analogue data from the sensors into digital
3. Computer and Software to receive and log the digital data and calculate race time.

Environmental Monitoring

Environmental monitoring is where data is collected to be used for purposes such as:

• Weather forecasting
• Water quality in rivers and streams
• Levels of air pollution

Weather Forecasting Example: Weather stations contain lots of sensors which are used to gather a variety of different data.

1. Thermometer to measure temperatures
2. Humidity Sensor to measure the amount of water in the air
3. Barometer to measure air pressure
4. Anemometer to measure wind speed
5. Rain Gauge to measure the amount of rain fall over a certain period.

What is data handling applications using ICT

Data Handling Applications using ICT

What is Data Handling?

Data Handling is basically where data is input and stored on a computer. The data is then processed in some way to turn it into useful information. This information can then be output and used.

Why use a computer to handle data?

Computers are much better at handling data than paper based methods (like files of paper) for many reasons including:

Searching Computers can find stored data very quickly

Editing Computer data can be edited (changed) very easily

Backed up Copies of data can be made very easily

Security Passwords can be applied to computers

Sorting Data can be organized in different orders quickly

Transported Computer data can be moved via flash memory

Output Data can be printed out easily

Examples of Data that could be Stored on a Computer

1. Survey Results
2. Address Lists
3. Shop Records
4. Clubs and Society Records
5. School Reports
6. School Library Records

What is Communication using ICT and what are different types of Communication in ICT

Communication using ICT

Different types of communication

There are 2 different types of communication where ICT can help us share information or ideas:

1. Personal Communication
2. Business Communication

Personal Communication Examples:

• Telling a friend when and where to meet up
• Reminding anybody about a family member's birthday

Business Communication Examples:

• Letting customers know about a sale
• Advertising a new product
• Sending messages to employees or colleagues

Paper Based Communication

What is paper based communication?

1. This type of communication involves producing hard copy's (printouts) of documents.
2. Creating documents suitable for printing is often called Desktop Publishing (DTP).

Advantages/Disadvantages of paper based communication

Advantages	Disadvantages
Document can be brought to people who are disabled (e.g. newspaper).	Costs time and money to distribute the document.
Document can be printed in Braille for blind people.	It is not possible to add exciting effects to a printed document (animation, video etc).
The document can be carried around and read whenever you want.	Can be very expensive to print off copies of the document.

Examples of paper based communication are listed below:

1. Newsletters
2. Posters
3. Flyers
4. Newspapers
5. Magazines

Digital Communication

What is digital communication?

1. Digital communication requires a computer and a screen in order to present the document.
2. Digital communication involves creating documents and files and then 'displaying' them via a computer and a screen.
   
   

Advantages/Disadvantages of digital based communication are summarized below:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Cheaper as there is no printing.	Often requires expensive software.
Exciting effects can be added (animation, sound video etc).	Some software is very difficult to use (music production, website design etc).
Easier to update content & Communication can be interactive.	More complex documents require more time to build.

Examples of digital communication are listed below:

1. Websites
2. Multimedia Presentations
3. Music Scores
4. Cartoons

What is Real Time Systems, its characteristics and deadline.

Real Time Systems

What is a Real-Time System?

Real-time systems have been defined as: "those systems in which the correctness of the system depends not only on the logical result of the computation, but also on the time at which the results are produced".

Examples : ABS, aircraft control, ticket reservation system at airport, over-temperature monitor in nuclear power station, mobile phone, oven temperature controller, Doppler blood-flow monitor, ECG/arrhythmia monitor.

Failure of Real-Time System

Failure is inability to perform according to specification. In the case of real-time systems the ‘failed’ specification may be lack of correctness or the failure to produce the response by the required time. A real-time system is one whose correctness is based on both the correctness of the outputs and their timeliness. The ‘novelty’ here is that the system is time critical. 

Real-Time Characteristics

•         Real-time systems often are comprised of a controlling system, controlled system and environment.

1.      Controlling system: acquires information about environment using sensors and controls the environment with actuators.

•         Timing constraints derived from physical impact of controlling systems activities. Hard and soft constraints.

1.      Periodic Tasks: Time-driven recuring at regular intervals.

2.      Aperiodic: event-driven.

Typical Real-Time System

Digital control systems - periodically performs the following job:  

1. senses the system status and
2. actuates the system according to its current status

Deadlines: Hard vs. Soft

Hard deadline

1.      Disastrous or very serious consequences may occur if the deadline is missed

2.      Validation is essential: can all the deadlines be met, even under worst-case scenario?

3.      Deterministic guarantees

Soft deadline

1.      Ideally, the deadline should be met for maximum performance. The performance degrades in case of deadline misses.

2.      Best effort approaches / statistical guarantees

What is Expert System its examples and what are different steps for creating an Expert System

Expert Systems

What is an Expert System?

1. Expert systems are special databases dat are designed to mimic (copy) the expertise and knowledge of a human expert in verschillende différent subjects.
2. Knowledge from human experts is entered into tje system and stored.
3. People using the expert system kan question it (query) and access zijn stored knowledge.
4. The system searches zijn stored data for anything dat provides an answer to the information dat a user has input.

Examples verschillende uses or expert systems

1. Diagnosing a patient's illness
2. Searching for oil and minerals reserves
3. Chess games
4. Identification of plant, animal and rocks
5. Diagnosis faults with cars
6. Providing Financial advice

A Knowledge Base: Facts and rules provided by the experts

An Inference Engine: The computer program dat works out the diagnosis or advice by checking the rules, knowledge base and the input from the user.

A user interface: This is the part of the system dat Allows a non-expert user to query (question) the expert system, and not to receive advice.

The Steps for Creating an Expert System:

1. Interview experts and use other expert sources as text books zoals to Gather as many facts and rules as skies
2. Design the knowledgebase
3. Select software to use. This nov be an expert system shell (an inference engine Already built) or a computer language 'appropriate for building the knowledge base and an inference engine
4. Implement (make) the system making the inference hours is easy to use
5. Test the system
6. Document the system and create a user manual
7. Check the system with the experts to make sure it produces sensible advice or diagnosis

Pros and cons of Expert Systems

Advantages	Disadvantages
Offering the mistakes expert systems make & never forget answers to problems.	They can not make judgments and Lack of common sense.
More knowledge dan a single human expert (combine the knowledge of many experts).	Errors in the rule base kan lead to incorrect beslissingen being made.
Cheaper to use dan hiring very expensive human experts to solve your problems.	Nobody kan worden ze hours are programmed correctly as They Might make dangerous mistakes.
More consistent answers dan human experts (they give the answers to the co-assembly problems every time).	Require lots of training voordat people kan use Them correctly.
Computer programs do not get tired, bored or Become ill.	Expert systems can not save Acquire and adapt to new knowledge without reprogramming.