Low-cost microprocessor-based system for teaching the c.a.d. of control systems

Abstract

A low cost system ('Cycloid') has been developed for the teaching of the c.a.d. of control systems. It is based on the Research Machines 380 Z microcomputing system with a coarse-graphics interactive television display. The software which has been developed is written in Basic and is briefly described in the paper. The application of the design suite in the teaching environment is illustrated by reference to a particular example. The low cost and high reliability of the system should make it particularly attractive to teaching establishments and small industry as an alternative to expensive time-shared and minicomputer systems.