Motors, solenoids and relays turn control signals into motion.
Actuators convert control signals into motion or force: DC, stepper and servo motors, solenoids, relays, piezo elements, pneumatic and hydraulic valves. Drivers handle current and protect from back-EMF. Position feedback closes the loop.
A hobby servo takes a PWM signal to set its angle.
Actuators convert electrical control into motion or force, which is how embedded systems affect the physical world.
Motors, solenoids and relays turn control signals into motion.
Actuators convert electrical control into motion or force, which is how embedded systems affect the physical world.
A relay uses a coil and mechanical contacts, while a solid-state relay uses semiconductor switching with no moving parts and faster switching.
The coil's inductance produces a high voltage when switched off, so a diode protects the driver transistor from this back EMF.
Typical applications include opening a valve with a solenoid controlled by a microcontroller, driving a fan or pump with a motor controlled by PWM and switching a heater with a relay in a thermostat.
Study "Signal conditioning" first (topic 82 of 104 in Electronics & Embedded). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
Torque, speed and stroke. Duty cycle limits. Gear reduction.
A hobby servo takes a PWM signal to set its angle.
The next topic is "H-bridge motor drivers", which builds directly on this one.
It is classed as Advanced in Electronics & Embedded (topic 83 of 104). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Electronics & Embedded.
Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.