Systems
Inputs, outputs and processes in systems used by designers
The systems approach
Systems are often designed using a system block diagram that considers the The series of events that makes a system. of a system:
How the system will work is the A series of actions that are usually followed in an order. and the The place where a force enters a system. is the part of the system that enables the process to start happening. They work together by sending signals to each other to make something happen. There can be more than one element in each section:
- input - starts the process
- process - the thought process in the middle
- output - the response or outcome
For example, a system diagram for a vending machine would be:
Communicating systems
There are several ways to communicate systems effectively.
Block diagrams
A diagram of a system represented by blocks connected by lines. are clear, simple diagrams showing all of the input, process and output elements that make up the system being designed. They are easy to read and show how the circuit will work.
Below is an example of a block diagram for a radiator:
Flowcharts
Also known as a flow diagram. A diagram that shows the step-by-step flow of an algorithm. are clear diagrams showing the individual steps that will take place in the process. They can be handwritten but are commonly used electronically within software to control a system on a computer. The shapes of the boxes always show a specific purpose:
Circuit diagrams
Another name for schematic diagram. use simplified universal symbols to represent the electronic circuit and its components. A circuit diagram shows how the components are connected. The diagrams are understood across the world so others can follow them and make the same circuit.
They are a graphical representation of how the electronic circuit has been joined: