3 ms·

Software control enables far more efficiency.

• RugnirViking 6y ago
  How? Like really though, what would software do to control a compressor unit that would be expensive or difficult to do on a PCB? Especially given that a little microchip to run that software likely is far more complex and expensive than the PCB itself. Most software of that type i've written is based in control theory, which can be replicated in analog circuits fairly simply. Surprisingly often, you even see people writing code for this type of thing using ladder diagram programms, literally designing electronic circuits to do the job that then get converted into code
  • pitaj 6y ago
    > Like really though, what would software do to control a compressor unit that would be expensive or difficult to do on a PCB? On a refrigerator: Software can choose to run a compressor at a lower, more efficient power setting for longer when the temperature just needs to be maintained. It can automatically time a defrost cycle based on when the doors are most often opened. It can tell when the door was opened and kick in the compressor at high power to quickly return the internals to the target temperature. It can debounce the door openings, delaying the cooling cycle until the door has been closed for a while. It's also far easier to iterate and experiment with software. > Especially given that a little microchip to run that software likely is far more complex and expensive than the PCB itself. Active analog components like op-amps are often more expensive than an MCU, especially if you can build up a single package with all of the components that would have been on the PCB. Control systems with negative feedback etc are just great tools, so it's not surprise that software systems also make use of them.