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The key to performing complex tasks with a robot
is ability to communicate to other machines for
sequence control and sensors so that it can react
sensibly to variations in the environment. In order
to achieve this robot controllers have a range of
different communication ability:
- Binary signals: These are
simple on/off signals represented by two different
voltage levels. They can be used as inputs for
simple micro switches to indicate that a component
is loaded correctly or as outputs to fire relays
to switch ancillary equipment on and off. They
can also be used in a group to pass numbers
in binary format between machines.
- Analogue Signals: for applications
such as temperature measurement using a thermocouple
or distance measurement using a proximity sensor
where a variable voltage is provided by the
sensor an analogue input is required. Analogue
outputs are also available and convert a number
within the robot controller into a voltage within
a specified range. This voltage can then be
fed to an amplifier or used directly to drive
electric motors, arc welding power supplies
etc.
- Parallel or serial interfaces
are used to link peripheral equipments such
as disk drives, printers etc. to the robots
or for interfacing to complex sensors such as
vision systems for pattern recognition.
- Networks are becoming an
essential communication method for linking robots
together computer systems.
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